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Let’s face it, cleaning is not always the most exciting of tasks. When you’re feeling overwhelmed by the mess and don’t have the energy to clean, it can be daunting to start. But if you keep putting it off, it won’t get done and the mess will just pile up. While it does take a mindset shift to get motivated to clean, there are some ways you can make it easier.
I use to beat myself up and wonder how to stop being lazy and clean my house. I had to realize that 1. calling myself lazy was unhelpful, and 2. there were things I could do to make the task less overwhelming. Decluttering inspiration can come in many forms, I have found that how I start the cleaning process makes all the difference.
Staying motivated to maintain a tidy home can be difficult. To help me stay on track, I put on comfortable clothes, blast my go-to tunes and fill the room with essential oils that make me feel refreshed. Before I begin tidying up, it’s important for me to envision what type of result I want at the end—that way it serves as motivation while cleaning.
Related: A-Z Guide to Removing Smells From Your Home
The other step to getting motivated to clean when overwhelmed by mess comes from my cleaning caddy. By investing in a caddy, you no longer need to waste precious time and energy searching for the appropriate supplies. You’ll also be making fewer trips to your local store or utility closet, freeing up even more of your valuable time.
Make your housekeeping tasks much more efficient by creating a cleaning caddy that holds all of the supplies you need to keep your home spotless. This caddy can have anything from all-purpose cleaners, to microfiber cloths, sponges, and more. Having a cleaning caddy makes it simple to grab and go, so you don’t have to waste time running around the house or searching for supplies.
Carrying a cleaning caddy around with me helps remind me of my task at hand and encourages me to get started. It is also an effective way to kick your motivation into gear and make quick work of your mess. It also helps when your caddy is cute and fashionable, so you can take pride while working your magic.
Here’s a checklist of my suggestions for essential caddy tools:
- All-purpose cleaner
- Microfiber cloths
- Sponges
- Paper towels
- Rubber gloves
- Dustpan and brush
- Disinfectant wipes
- Duster
- Lint roller
- Toothbrush
- Trash bags
Each item in the caddy has a special purpose that helps me clean faster, better, and more effectively. This way, cleaning doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it helps me stay in the zone and complete my task with ease.
ALL PURPOSE CLEANERS
While some items in the home may need a particular cleaner, all-purpose cleaners can help you tackle most dirt and grime on the walls, tables, counters, sinks, toilets, floors, and so on.
MICROFIBER CLOTHS
These cloths are very good at capturing dust and germs. They are made from tiny fibers that are designed to grab onto dirt and grime. You can use them with water or without water. They are better than paper towels and cotton rags. But you must clean them after each use by putting them in the washing machine without fabric softener. Fabric softener will clog up the fibers and make it harder for the cloth to capture dirt and grime.
THE CLASSIC SPONGE
It is essential to have a good-quality sponge in the caddy. Select one with care, so it won’t scratch surfaces while you clean up spills and wash dishes. It is important to clean your sponge after every use. You can do this by putting it in the dishwasher or microwaving it (make sure it is wet when microwaving). This will help get rid of germs and make your sponge last longer.
PAPER TOWELS
Paper towels are great for absorbing liquid from surfaces or wiping up spills. They are also great at tackling tough, sticky messes that have been sitting for a while.
RUBBER GLOVES
Rubber gloves should always be included in your caddy to help protect your hands from getting dirty and potentially coming into contact with harsh chemicals. This is especially important if you are using something like bleach or an all-purpose cleaner.
DUSTPAN AND BRUSH
A dustpan and brush are essential when it comes to cleaning up small debris such as crumbs, dirt, pet hair, and other particles on hard surfaces. A long-handled brush can help you reach areas that would otherwise be hard to get to without bending down too far.
DISPOSABLE WIPES
As much as I encourage preserving resources and reducing waste, there are moments when disposable products like cleaning wipes can come in handy. In case of pet messes or anything else that needs quick sanitization while on the go, it is an ideal solution – simply clean up with a tissue, then discard accordingly.
DUSTER
A duster is a must-have for getting into those hard-to-reach places. It helps me dust furniture, shelves, and all the nooks and crannies around my home without much effort.
LINT ROLLER
For picking up pet hair from furniture or clothing, a lint roller is one of my go-to items. It can also help with cleaning up small debris, such as bits of paper that don’t quite make it into the trash can.
TOOTHBRUSH
This might seem like an odd item to have in your caddy but I find it incredibly useful for scrubbing away dirt and grime in tight spaces like corners and crevices that are hard to reach with a regular-sized brush.
TRASH BAGS
Having a few trash bags in the caddy is always helpful when you’re cleaning up. It makes it easier to collect and throw away messes quickly and efficiently.
Overall, having a cleaning caddy and taking the time to create a visual goal for yourself are two of the best ways to stay motivated when overwhelmed by mess. It may not be the most exciting task in the world, but with these simple steps, it doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Cleaning your home will suddenly become more bearable and you’ll get it done much faster. And if nothing else works, just remember how good it feels when everything is finished—that way you’ll keep pushing through until you reach your goal.