How to Motivate Yourself to Clean Regularly, For People Who Hate Cleaning

Living

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Judy & Don’s Treehouse in the City

Your home is truly a reflection of yourself, and mine definitely says, “I hate cleaning”… at least it does right this minute. See, I’m more than capable of getting my home totally tidy (and Ilove itwhen I do), but keeping up a regular cleaning routine is a tough task for me. Even though I know thepower of a weekly cleaning schedule, I have to resort to tricks — some that practically border on mind control — to actually do it.

Depending on how much you hate to clean, you might also be a candidate for a more, um,stringenttechnique to build a routine. One that requires strength, willpower, and just a little bit of self-deceit. It all starts with one question…

Just how much do you hate cleaning?

I’d rather not.

Schedule and host a weekly get-together in your home.
Play music/make a playlist just for cleaning.
Trade tasks with friends: I’ll clean your bathroom if you do my laundry.
Don’t ever put away your cleaning supplies: one less obstacle.

I’d rather do something else.

Schedule and host a weekly get-together in your home and ask a friend to bring someone you don’t know.
Put cleaning on your calendar so it’s easier to keep other things from interfering.
Have a show you’re only allowed to watch once the house is clean.
Start an audio book that you can only listen to while you’re cleaning.

I’d rather die.

Put cash on the line in a pact with family or friends.
Put cash on the line onStickK. Pledge $20 to an UNworthy cause (like the campaign of a loathed politician) for every time you don’t clean. Suddenly, cleaning is mandatory.
Only let yourself brush your teeth or your hair once the bathroom is clean. No exceptions.
Log your clean routine on social media. Yes, it’s mildly annoying to scroll by a friend’s constant updates with her GPS jogging maps but those kinds of public pronouncements are great motivation. Commit to posting a photo of your home every weekend, and ask friends keep you on track.