One of the hardest parts of tackling your to-do list is finding cleaning motivation! These tested and recommended cleaning tips will help you kick start a productive day. 
Finding the cleaning motivation you need to complete your task isn’t always easy. But if you’re anything like me, once I get going I can’t be stopped. These motivation tips are insanely helpful whether you are starting a small project or tackling a large list.
As a home owner myself, my to-do lists tend to be on the longer side and usually requires a few different motivation tactics. You are going to learn about cleaning quotes, cleaning videos, cleaning music and more!
After learning about these tips, you are going to have the tools you need to accomplish whatever house projects may come your way.
This post is all about cleaning motivation!
1. Quotes
One of the most inspirational tools you can use when looking for motivation is to Pinterest some cleaning quotes. This tip is a great place to start when looking for ways to find motivation. As you can see in the quote below, this tactic not only sparks your energy, but it also challenges you to think differently about the task at hand.
Instead of looking at tasks as chores or something that you need to get done, you can look at it is a practice you are trying to implement in your life. Whether you are in your first apartment or your new house, you are always going to have cleaning tasks. Mindset is everything! If you think about it as a project, it may always feel daunting.
When you think about it as a practice, it is something you can work into your routine more easily. And let’s face it, our cleaning list never truly ends. It’s a constant rotation. But when we look at it as a practice and not just a one time project we tackle, we relieve some of the stress or anxiety behind the task.
2. Videos
Cleaning videos are by far one of my favorite tips when it comes to getting in the cleaning mood. There is nothing like seeing someone else working to clean and improve their home to help get you in the right mindset. Youtube.com is my favorite place to search for this type of content. TikTok is another great platform.
There are so many creators out there that create these videos for a living and there is no question about why they are so popular. Not only do they get you in the right mindset, but you may also learn some great tips and tricks while watching them! Whether you put them on in the background while you are working along side them or watch one ahead of tacking your list, I can guarantee you will catch the cleaning bug.
3. Music
This tip can be as personal as you’d like! Spotify is by far my favorite app for creating playlists for all aspects of my life but you can bet that I get motivated to clean through music very often. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself. Do I want a peaceful cleaning experience? Do I need some pump up jams? This can change depending on the day and tasks at hand.
One option is to go into Spotify and create a few different playlists that match the cleaning mood you are trying to get in. However, if you don’t have the time or energy to create one yourself, there are plenty of cleaning motivation playlists already created that you can choose from.
Another great tip to listen to pre-made playlists and save the songs off of them that you enjoy onto your own playlist for the future. I love this tip so much because it is so customizable to the experience you want to achieve.
4. Before & After Photos
Who doesn’t love a good before and after?!
There is no feeling of accomplishment like seeing where you were when you started versus where you ended. Documenting your cleaning journey is a great way to look back at your work either right when you finish a project or when you’re looking to get motivated for a new one.
You can take these photos and create an album in your phone so you can revisit them whenever you’d like. They also serve as a great way to check your work. If you snap the photo and see an area you can improve on, either tackle it at that time or make a mental note for later!
5. Cleaning Checklists
Feeling overwhelmed with where to begin? If you don’t have a clear idea of what room you want to tackle or where to begin once you’ve picked a location, Pinterest is a great place to look for cleaning checklists that can spark some ideas. This doesn’t mean that you have to follow them to a tee. You can simply skim the list and see what areas make sense for your space.
This is a great way to find motivation but also to make sure you’re not missing a spot you may not have previously thought about! This is a great time to remember that there is no reason to reinvent the wheel. Utilizing resources experts have put together is a great way to figure out what routine works for you.
6. Podcasts
If you’re anything like me, appropriate forms of multitasking are where it’s at. I am a firm believer that there are helpful ways to multitask and harmful forms of multitasking. However, throwing on one of your favorite podcasts while you are cleaning is a green light from me.
The type of podcast you choose is totally up to you. One of my favorite genres for cleaning is a self-help podcast. The Skinny Confidential – Him & Her is probably my number one cleaning podcast. Although their content isn’t directly related to cleaning motivation, you can gain tips and tricks for so many other areas of your life that in turn spark motivation for things like cleaning.
Self-help is only one of many genres that may work for you! Make sure to test a few of your favorite shows and see what sparks the best motivation for you.
7. Start Small
If you are really struggling to get motivated when it comes to cleaning your home, I highly suggest starting small. Picking an achievable task (such as picking up one room) may kickstart your motivation. Whether you decide to take on another task at that time or work it into your next round is completely up to you.
Remember the quote above! Cleaning shouldn’t always feel like a project but like a practice. Starting small allows you to learn about what works for you and what doesn’t. If doing twenty minutes a day is the perfect spot for you, then stick to it! You want to do whatever is the most maintainable. Stretching yourself too thin may lead you to be less motivated the next time around.
8. Start a Timer
As I mentioned above, everyone’s compacity for cleaning is going to vary. The time you dedicate to cleaning in any given day can depend on so many different factors. If you only have 45 minutes one day but you know you have some tasks you can’t ignore, set a timer and get started. You are not necessarily going to accomplish every single task in this timeframe and that is ok. The goal is to a set a time limit that works for you and stick to it.
When the timer goes off, you get to stop! If there is something you didn’t get done that you wanted to, you can start with that task during your next round.
Once you get in the habit of scheduling in time to clean and not over doing it, the more motivated you should feel during your next cleaning. There is no right number for how many minutes you should start with. Test out various time slots and see what works best for you!
9. Reflect
As mentioned in number 4, finding ways to reflect on a job well done is a great way to kick start future motivation. Whether it is through before and after photos, doing a walk through of the space you just cleaned or mentally reflecting on the time you spent, you should take a moment to pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
Cleaning motivation is not inherent in everyone. If you are someone that does well with affirmations, they are a great way to start and end a session of cleaning. This is a way to build confidence in yourself! Completing a task you set out to tackle should give you a sense of accomplishment. Take a moment to relish in that achievement!
This list of 9 cleaning motivation tips is a great place to start. Once you have gotten some tools under your belt that work for you, you can add onto them as you go!
This post is all about the best cleaning motivation tips!