We all know that keeping an immaculate house is not my thing. One thing I fail to do is tidy up each day. (Working on it–and improving.)
But I do know myself and how to keep myself motivated–or rather, how to keep myself in check.
Here are some tricks I am using to keep myself on track. I begin these tricks after I complete a major decluttering (which sadly, has to be done every few months.)
(This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.)
Four ways to stay motivated to clean
Schedule play dates or parties
Back when I started tricking myself into being a better homemaker, I started with a major decluttering project to prepare for Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, I threw a spa party and had a few girlfriends come over for facials and foot soaks. There is nothing like expecting guests to get me to clean!
My goal is to have my home always guest ready but I am definitely not there yet.
Tracking for success
This year is all about balance for me. I noticed that when it comes to my blog, I constantly watch my analytics. When it comes to my workouts, I am motivated by both the analytics from my Fitbit Blaze. I also log my meals into My fitness pal and those stats are integrated with the Fitbit analytics.
But I have no log or accountability plan (or metrics) for my housekeeping progress. (Is there an app for that? If you know of a good one, please please please share in the comments!)
Until I find an app, I will log what rooms/areas/tasks I have completed to remind me of where the holes are in my plan. Once the office, laundry room, and my bedroom are decluttered and reorganized I will move to one of the more common housekeeping routine checklists.
Daily affirmations
No, I am not talking about looking in a mirror and telling myself I am the Queen of Clean! That would make me laugh every morning which might be a good thing. I remind myself and the kids out loud how the living room and kitchen looked right before the guests arrived and how much we liked it. The whole family. It was less stressful for the family when the room was picked up and tidy.
We have a no toys left in the living room over night rule. Toys left out get thrown out. (I haven’t had to throw any out yet.) I despise the idea of tossing out toys I spent good money on but if I need to do it, I will.
The piles of laundry are no longer as large since my kids use their homemade folding boards to help with it.
We also know that we will eventually move into a different house. Just the thought of packing all the extra clutter I have amassed is enough to make several dozen trips to Goodwill’s donation center that much more appealing!
Buy something new
This tip won’t work for everyone that struggles with housekeeping. It worked for me because my children are now of an age that they understand and follow rules much better than when they were younger (they are 6 and 7 now).
After the carpet was replaced, we instituted the no food or drinks in the living room rule. Not wanting to spend money on carpet again anytime soon totally motivated me to remain consistent with that rule! When we finally replaced our ratty couch, the desire to keep the living room clean was reinforced.
Are you a disorganized person struggling to keep a tidy and organized home? If so, what are some of the tricks you use to keep on track? Or are you a person that likes to tidy up?
Try these tips to clean quickly and download our free printable checklist!
And if your house never seems to look like a home magazine spread, give yourself some grace.
We, as a society, place unrealistics demands on mothers. It’s time to step back and remember what is important. What will you be remembering on your deathbed? Will you be thinking of how clean your house was or will you be looking back on the times you spent enjoying life with your family?
Lauren says
I’m more on edge as is the rest of our family when the house is out of order (not to say it doesn’t get that way). We have a dog that sheds like crazy and I homeschool our 3 boys so it’s hard to find the time to clean. I daydream about all of our kids going to school and how clean our house could be.
Cathy says
Thanks for the tips! Another app is “home routine”. Breaks down the house in zones for more thorough cleaning plus daily chores you can check off when you have time. This makes it easy for me to do some quick clean ups before work or right when I get home because I don’t have to think about what needs done.
Herchel says
I need to check out that app! I can use all the help I can get!
Mary B. says
Throw toys out – Either my kids could “buy” them back with chores or donated to charity like Friendship Home or City Mission.
anita says
We play commercial clean up.. When watching TV we get up during commercial S and do a chore… Switch laundry, empty dishwasher, whatever needs to be done. You will be surprised at how much will be competed by the end o the night.
caryn says
ooohhh. I soooo want to be the “Queen of Clean”, but I’m really slacking off in that category. I’ve just come to embrace that a messy home = a busy life. When both my husband and I had our corporate jobs, we could not only conquer and divide but also hire help. Now, we don’t do that as much. What works best for me is having the party or house guest. Like your Arbonne party, when my mother/parents come to town, I always have to spring clean the place.
caryn recently posted…50 Clean Eating Tips – If You Don’t Know Where to Begin
Mindie says
I am doing the 40 bags in 40 days challenge and I love the feeling of taking back my house! Thank you for sharing at the (mis)Adventures Monday Blog Hop.
Susan says
Scheduling a party or playdate is such a great motivator to clean up, isn’t it. Congrats, you’re featured this week at the Inspire Us Thursday Link Party on Organized 31.
Herchel says
Thank you Susan! It really does help to schedule playdates!
Angela at Dancing With My Father says
super fun tips and the hosting one totally WORKS. i find when i am feeling super down and in a slump with my house, i avoid having people over. just inviting someone is ALWAYS a surefire way to get an instant pick-me-up. 🙂 thanks for sharing!
Angela at Dancing With My Father recently posted…undaunted, part 2 {thoughts on living fearlessly}
Jean says
Those are great tips! I despise cleaning although it is so much nicer when things are actually clean. Using a timer really does seem to help me quite a bit.
Jean recently posted…Hot Wheels Storage
Elizabeth says
I am motivated to clean because it helps me feel a sense of order and peace. When I am feeling overwhelmed or anxious, it helps to look in one room and say: Hey, that room is straightened. Good job. Now, take a break! 🙂
Elizabeth recently posted…5 Tips to Silence Your Inner Mean Girl
Herchel says
I totally get what you are saying. I mopped the floor and vacuumed and it looks so nice that I just wanted to take a nap!
Felicita says
There is a app!!!
Its called flylady.
http://www.flylady.com
So that might help you. It’s really neat.
I’m not a good house wife but I hope to get there soon. Loved this article.
Herchel says
Thank you!!! I am totally going to check out that app today 🙂
Felicita says
You are very welcome. I have it on Android but she might have it for apple too.
Oh and it’s
http://www.flylady.net
Not com.
But I think it redirects you.
Gracielle says
I agree with you about throwing parties or having a playdate. My house is cleaner before and after a party than it is regularly!
Gracielle recently posted…Beach Bums and Mall Rats
Herchel says
It’s like I have to put stress on myself to make me do it lol
Becka says
My motivation is the fact that my mom comes over every day to watch the tot while I go to work. She likes to keep the toddler in her own territory. It has really helped to motivate me to clean up so she won’t have to stay in a mess lol. I so love my Mom but she can go from my lovely wonderful Mother to the Clean Machine in a moments notice and it is not pretty.
Becka recently posted…Enjoying Netflix with a Four Legged Friend #StreamTeam
shelly says
I’ve gotten worse over the past year with Sophie being completely mobile and wanting to pull everything out. I like the 3 minute rule (if there’s something that pops into your head that takes 3 min or less, just do it now.) I always feel a lot better if main surfaces are cleared off as well. The entryway console, island in the kitchen, bathroom counters and dresser. If those spaces are clean my head can not be so anxious about everything else that is messy.
shelly recently posted…30 is the New 30
Kimber says
Oh boy, do I dislike cleaning. I try so hard to just be grateful to have a home to clean, and it helps … kind of. 🙂 What I often do is just set a timer for 5-10 minutes. The kids and I “race” – everyone has a room to tackle, and we see which looks the best at the end. It gets all of us going, and they love it when they beat me. (Although, of course, I am the real winner.) Love this post! Found you on Mommy A-Z bloghop – you seem like my kinda mom. 🙂
Kimber recently posted…Remembering His Dream – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Herchel says
Thanks Kimber! My kids are onto me with the timer trick lol.
Kristen says
I need mucho help! My christmas tree is still up!
Kristen recently posted…Top 5 Tips for Coping with a Threenager
Herchel says
LOL I like to think that our “type” of person has way too many creative juices flowing to be bothered with mundane things like picking up clothes off the floor 🙂
Echo says
I am a terrible housewife, so I appreciate this tips more than you know.
Echo recently posted…A Day In The Life Of A Stay At Home Mother!
Karen says
Keeping a checklist is great. Make it really detailed with every little step on it so you get the satisfaction of checking things off. And you can quickly see what’s been done and still to be done.
Herchel says
This is a great tip! It is motivating to see things checked off the list.