Most men would rather do just about anything than clean their house. In fact, a recent study showed that men spend an average of only six minutes per day on cleaning and organizing tasks, while women spend almost twice as long, 11 minutes. That’s not to say that women are inherently better at cleaning than men, but it does show that many men see cleaning as a chore that they would rather avoid.
If you’re one of those men who would rather do just about anything than clean your house, then these five practical tips are for you. With these tips, you can make cleaning less of a chore and get it done quickly and easily.
Set a schedule
One of the reasons why cleaning feels like such a daunting task is because it’s often put off until it’s absolutely necessary. This means that when you do finally get around to cleaning, the job is usually much bigger than it needs to be. To avoid this, set a regular cleaning schedule and stick to it! Whether it’s once a week or every other day, setting aside some time each day or week to tidy up will make the task feel much less daunting.
A schedule also helps you lay down all the tasks you need to do. For instance, if you are in the process of moving houses and you need to clear your house, setting a schedule for it will help you figure out other tasks like donating clothes or contacting a waste disposal company.
Start with small tasks
When you have a lot of cleaning to do, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. To make the task feel less daunting, start with small tasks that can be completed quickly. For example, start by making your bed or doing a load of laundry. Once you complete a few small tasks, you’ll be surprised at how much progress you’ve made and how good it feels to check things off your list!
Finishing off these small tasks diligently and consistently can make a big impact on the overall cleanliness of your home. Making your bed every morning is one less task to do during general cleanup!
Set a timer
Suppose you find yourself procrastinating when it comes to cleaning; set a timer! This will help you to stay focused and on task. Once the timer goes off, you can take a break or move on to another task.
The Pomodoro technique is a great way to stay focused when cleaning. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on one task until the timer goes off. Once the timer goes off, take a five-minute break, and then start the timer again. After four Pomodoro sessions, take a longer break of 15-20 minutes.
Another way to time yourself is to set a goal for the day. For instance, decide that you will clean for two hours today. Once the time is up, you can stop cleaning or take a break. This method is especially helpful if you find yourself getting distracted while cleaning.
Put on some music
Cleaning doesn’t have to be a silent task. Put on some of your favorite tunes to make the time go by faster and to get you in the cleaning mood!
Listening to music can help to increase your motivation to do chores. When you have music playing, it can help to drown out any distractions and keep you focused on the task at hand. It can also help to make the time go by faster, so you’ll be done with the chore sooner. Plus, listening to your favorite tunes can be enjoyable, so you may look forward to cleaning time!
Reward yourself
After you’ve completed your cleaning tasks, reward yourself! Whether it’s taking a break to relax or treating yourself to something special, giving yourself a little reward will help to make cleaning less of a chore.
A reward after cleaning can be as simple as taking a break to relax. This will help you associate cleaning with something positive, making it more likely that you’ll want to do it again. For example, you can plan an afternoon watching your favorite show or reading your favorite book once you’ve finished cleaning. Or, if you want to treat yourself to something special, you can buy yourself a new shirt or take yourself out for dinner.
Final thoughts
Cleaning doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore. With these five practical tips, you can make it an easy and quick task that you can complete in no time. So, next time you find yourself putting off cleaning, remember these tips and get to work! You may even find that you enjoy it!
