Last updated on April 27th, 2021 at 03:59 pm
It’s that time of year when everyone is starting to think of cleaning out the house. Spring is here! While some people love to clean the house and start fresh, others really dread it. If you’re in the latter category you’re not alone. Here are five spring cleaning strategies to help you make these once-year-chores a little more tolerable.
Put on the Headphones
Music, podcasts, or audio books are a lifesaver when it comes to doing chores around the house. Find something that you really enjoy, and plug in your headphones so you aren’t tempted by other sounds around you. You’ll get so involved in the story or music, you’ll forget how much you hate cleaning.
Here’s a free 30-day trial of audible, which comes with two free audio books to listen to while you get your spring cleaning done. Or, if you have Amazon Prime, you already have Amazon Prime Music, which includes two millions songs! Choose from curated playlists or personalized stations. If you don’t have Amazon Prime, you can try it free! And, finally, if you want to listen to podcasts, head to iTunes.
Do What You Hate the Most, First
There’s something to be said for doing things you really dislike right away instead of putting them off and continually dreading them. If you hate washing windows, get out the rags and start there. Sorting through winter clothes and swapping them out for spring clothes really drag you down? You know what to do – get to sorting! If you’re able to get the task you hate the most out of the way, then the rest of your spring cleaning tasks won’t feel quite so painful.
Make it into a Game
This is a long shot but works for some people. Time yourself to complete different tasks, or list out all of the different things you have to do on different pieces of paper, and pull one at a time out of a jar to complete them. You could get your whole family involved one day, and race to see who can complete their jobs the fastest.
Call Your Mom
It doesn’t have to be your mom, but give someone a call who you know you can get wrapped up in a conversation. You’ll be so busy talking that you’ll forget you’re doing something you hate – cleaning! It’s really amazing how much work you can get done when you’re not really paying attention!
Hire Someone!
If you have discretionary income available, hire someone to help you. This doesn’t mean it needs to be someone that cleans your home top to bottom but perhaps you just hire someone that does one or two of the big tasks to help out. Carpet cleaning, window washing, and outside maintenance are three of the big areas you could hire someone to help with. Consider your circle of friends and family for this as well. Maybe you have a sibling or a cousin that really loves cleaning, hire them! Chances are it may be more affordable than you think.
There’s no guarantee you’ll like cleaning any more when you’re finished than when you started, but you will have a cleaner house. And, maybe with these spring cleaning strategies, you might not dread every second of the process.
Also read — Print Your Basic Cleaning Checklist (and Why You Need One)
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Susan Smith
Great hacks, I break it up and do a little cleaning each day and get my children to help.
rita leonard
I love the idea of hiring someone, especially as I get older and some tasks get harder.
Felicia COSTIN
Thanks for the tips! I hate cleaning so I’m always looking for ways to make it better. I’ve already done some of these while cleaning and it definitely helps. Thankfully I have a small house so cleaning doesn’t take too long
Asia
Doing what you hate the most first is actually a great idea. Thank you. I always put it off and do the chores I like first and the ones I dont like never seem to get done.
Sue E
We’ve lived in our home almost 26 years! I feel like cleaning our house is repetitious! Cleaning the same thing over and over again!! I really don’t like to dust! As soon as I dust something, it’s still dusty right after I do it! AARRGG!!! I spray the duster constantly and it helps now and then. I think our dust is immune to the duster and the spray! I have hired The Merry Maids a couple of times, because now I am disabled and can’t move that well. I love a clean house. Even with the kids gone.
Kelsey
100% always start with what you hate the most first
Elizabeth Craig
I can’t afford to hire anyone, but I do what’s on the top of my mind first. Sometimes it’s what I hate the most, LOL, but usually it’s what MUST get done =)
nbo
hiring works:-)
kath g
I saw the title and knew i had to read it. i hate cleaning. i already listen to music, but need the other ideas. i think i will have to bribe myself to do my least favorite thing first though.
Kari B
Listening to music definitely helps me get into the cleaning zone.
Deborah P
Thanks for the great hacks. I really do hate cleaning.
Leela
Thanks for the tips!
Dana Rodriguez
I am not a fan of cleaning but do it daily. Great tips!
Dolores Miranda
Great tips! I dislike Spring cleaning but its something that has to be done!
Karen Propes
Great tips! I really like starting with the unpleasant tasks first. When I do that everything else just goes so much easier.
Jodi Hunter
Thanks for the tips.
Dorothy Boucher
I love your ideas and suggestions here, I know for myself. I often put on some music or not music at all and just go to it, I always think the faster I can get it done the faster I can sit and have a cup of tea.
@tisonlyme143
megan allen
I would absolutely hire someone if possible to take care of all my spring cleaning needs LOL! I love to listen to music while cleaning!