10 Tips to Overcome Cleaning Overwhelm & Create a Home You Love 🏡✨
By Fiona Morris - Coach and Entrepreneur
There’s a direct connection between a clean space and good mental health. But let’s be real—keeping your home clean when life is overwhelming is easier said than done. 😩
I know this firsthand. As someone with adult ADHD, anxiety, and depression, I’ve struggled with clutter. Growing up in a chaotic household made it even harder. But over time, I’ve developed realistic and doable strategies to keep my space clean without the stress. So, here are my 10 top tips for maintaining a clean home that feels calm and inviting. 🏡💖
✅ 1. Give Everything a Home
If something doesn’t have a place, it’s going to create clutter. Baskets, containers, and labeled bins are lifesavers. Assign spaces for your family’s belongings—this way, tidying up is as simple as scooping everything into its designated spot. 🎯
🛍️ 2. Invest in Cleaning Products You Love
Make cleaning fun by using products and tools you actually enjoy! Bright, colorful cleaning sprays, microfiber cloths in your favorite colors, and aesthetically pleasing storage baskets can make a world of difference. If your cleaning supplies make you happy, you’ll be more likely to use them. 🧼💖
🏃♀️ 3. Speed Clean with a Timer
Overwhelmed? Start small! Set a timer for 5, 10, or 15 minutes and clean only during that time. Blast your favorite song 🎶 and race against the clock. Short bursts of cleaning prevent burnout and keep your home from getting out of control. ⏳✨
🧺 4. Use the ‘Basket Trick’
Buy 10 cheap laundry baskets and use them to quickly scoop up clutter. It clears surfaces instantly! Later, you can go through each basket and put items where they belong. It’s an easy hack to make your home look tidier fast. 🏠✅
💪 5. Hire a Cleaner (Even If It’s Just Occasionally!)
There is no shame in getting help. Booking a cleaner weekly, monthly, or even quarterly can keep your home from reaching disaster levels. Plus, knowing a cleaner is coming can be great motivation to do a quick tidy-up beforehand! 🧹📆
🎭 6. Match Your Cleaning to Your Lifestyle
Your home should work for you, not against you. If you love crafting 🎨 or hosting BBQs 🍔, set up cleaning routines that support these activities. Have a ‘reset routine’ after projects or social events to keep your space functional and stress-free. 🏡✨
🎶 7. Clean to Music (or a Podcast!)
Cleaning feels less like a chore when you make it enjoyable. Play upbeat music or an interesting podcast while tidying up. Try committing to one song per task—before you know it, you’ll have tackled an entire room! 🎵💃
🛑 8. Don’t Overwhelm Yourself—One Area at a Time!
Decluttering and organizing isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing process. Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Start with a small section (like a countertop or one drawer) and build momentum from there. Slow and steady wins the race! 🐢🏆
✨ 9. Make Cleaning a Habit, Not a Huge Event
A little bit of daily maintenance goes a long way. Instead of waiting until things get out of control, try a 5-minute reset every night—wipe down surfaces, straighten pillows, and put things away. These tiny habits prevent huge cleaning sessions later. ⏳🧽
📝 10. Use Checklists to Stay on Track
Feeling overwhelmed? Break cleaning down into small, manageable tasks with a checklist. It keeps you focused and gives you that satisfying feeling of ticking things off. ✅ Need a great checklist? I’ve got you! Just reach out, and I’ll send you my cleaning cheat sheet! 📝✨
🚀 Final Thoughts
Keeping a clean and organized home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small, use smart hacks, and remember—you don’t have to do it alone! Whether it’s hiring a cleaner, grabbing some beautiful new cleaning tools, or using checklists, there are so many ways to make tidying up easier. 💖🏡
👉 Want to simplify your cleaning routine? Book a cleaner today or check out my favorite cleaning products at The Cleaning Collective! 🛒✨