Make Cleaning Fun

Ask 100 people whether they think cleaning their house is fun and you might only hear a few affirmative answers. If you think about it, one reason many people don’t enjoy housekeeping may be a mental block: You’re conditioned to think of housekeeping as a dull chore, right? But who says it can’t be entertaining?

Check out the following ideas on how to make cleaning fun, so that you don’t dread your daily or weekly housekeeping schedule.

Couple Cleaning with Entertainment

Have you ever started a good podcast or audio book and gotten so engrossed in the story that hours flew by? Charge those wireless earbuds and prepare to get lost in time while you take care of rote tasks, such as cleaning baseboards, dusting and organizing your linen closet. Make it a rule that you can only listen to your favorites while cleaning, and you may find yourself looking forward to routine housekeeping.

Invite Friends Over

There’s no denying that cleaning can be tedious, especially if you’re tackling a big job, like a spring clean or move-out clean. If you’re having trouble getting motivated, invite friends over to keep you company. Ply them with pizza or adult beverages, and have them help or even just sit in the room and chat as you work. Don’t forget to return the favor if they ever ask!

Have a Dance Party

If you’re home alone, blast your favorite playlists as you work your way through each room. The music will help set a tempo for your cleaning, meaning you’re more likely to keep moving. Take this tip to the next level by challenging yourself to complete small tasks, like wiping down all the surfaces in your living room, before a song has ended. You’ll be done in no time!

Catch Up on Phone Calls

Today’s busy lifestyles mean many people don’t have the time to keep up with friends or family, unless it’s via text or social media. If it has been a while since you’ve called your grandparents or your best friend from college, use cleaning as a chance to make a surprise call. You can catch up while matching socks or cleaning out your closet.

Make it a Game

Turn routine housekeeping into a fun game to maintain your interest in the process. This is also a great way to clean with children. There are an endless number of games that could be played while folding laundry, picking up bedrooms and so forth. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Name a color and only pick up and put away items of that color. Once you’ve finished, choose a new color and repeat.
• Guess how long it will take to complete tasks like cleaning the trash can or organizing your pantry. Set a timer to see if you’re right.
• Challenge family members to a battle to see who can clean his or her bedroom first. Let the winner decide what you’ll order for dinner or choose which movie you’ll watch later.

Make Cleaning a Workout

Believe it or not, a decent cleaning session can get your heart rate going. This is especially true if you’re tackling labor-intensive chores, like cleaning the shower or washing floors. Strap on your fitness tracker and get moving. Set a goal to burn a specific number of calories or to hit a target number of active minutes before you can stop cleaning. That way, you can tidy up the house without stressing over the fact that you won’t have time to do your workout.

Invest in Better Gear

If your cleaning products are broken or ineffective, it’s going to make your job miserable. Stock up on microfiber cloths and sponges, a good microfiber mop and dusters, a vacuum that works well and so forth. The expense of upgrading your cleaning supplies is well worth it when you don’t have to struggle with each task.

Treat Yourself

Housekeeping is often hard physical labor. If you dedicate a large chunk of a weekend day to washing and tidying, make sure you have a reward coming. Take the rest of the afternoon to yourself, have drinks with friends or take the night off from cooking and order delivery. You’re more likely to enjoy tasks when you know something positive awaits you once they’re completed.

Like it or not, your home needs to be maintained, so you may as well figure out how to make cleaning fun. If you just can’t get into the process — or simply don’t have the time to follow a daily housekeeping routine — let the professionals at Merry Maids lend a hand.