Procrastinating on housework is a common struggle, but leaving it undone often makes the task seem more daunting.
But fret not, our experts have tips to help you move things in the right direction. From starting small to getting accountable, our cleaning and home organizing pro reveal their favorite rules and approaches to banish procrastination.
Armed with our cleaning tips and tricks, their words of wisdom will soon have you tackling your to-do list with efficiency and motivation.
1. Start small
Big cleaning projects can feel overwhelming, leading to procrastination. The 10-minute rule encourages you to start with manageable chunks of time.
Erin Zanelli, co-owner of Tranquil Home, an eco-friendly cleaning company in San Diego, says, 'Overwhelming tasks often lead to avoidance. By focusing on a small, manageable timeframe, you're less likely to procrastinate and more likely to build momentum.
'Set a timer for 10 minutes and focus on one small area – such as a kitchen counter or the top of a dresser. Once the timer ends, decide whether to continue or stop. Completing even small tasks creates a sense of accomplishment, which can motivate further cleaning.'
Zanelli recommends Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Peppermint Soap. She adds, 'It's a versatile, eco-friendly option that works well for cleaning almost anything in your home, and the peppermint scent adds an energizing boost to your routine.'
Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning, also loves setting a timer to keep cleaning bitesize and manageable. She says, 'Don’t stress if you find yourself continuing after the time is up. The aim is to get started, not to achieve perfection.'
Toner recommends the Mr. Clean Original Magic Eraser from Target, adding, 'It's great for quick surface touch-ups.'
A good 'quick win' cleaning task is to get your laundry going. If you want to make laundry smell better, why not try using mango scented laundry detergent? Combining a zing of fiery ginger with sweet mango, this laundry detergent keeps colors white and brights bright.
If you're taking 10 minutes to freshen your bathroom, this spearmint scented bathroom cleaner not only smells great, but it also kills 99.9% of bacteria. Suitable for use on bathtubs, toilets, sinks and tiles, it cleans and sanitizes, harnessing the cleaning power of citric acid.
Attacking counter tops is a popular 10-minute task for our cleaning experts, and this all-purpose cleaning spray is ideal for the job. The biodegradable formula cuts through grease and grime, leaving behind a pink grapefruit scent blended with blood orange and cassis.
2. One room at a time
Jumping between tasks in different rooms can leave you feeling scattered. Focusing on one room at a time helps you see progress more clearly.
Toner says, 'Trying to clean multiple spaces simultaneously can leave you feeling scattered and make it harder to finish any one task. By concentrating on one area, you’ll see visible results faster, which keeps you motivated to keep going.
'Choose a room to start with – ideally the one that needs the most attention or will make the biggest impact. Begin by decluttering the space, removing items that don’t belong or need to be put away. Then, clean systematically from top to bottom (for example: dust surfaces, wipe counters, vacuum floors). Once the room is complete, take a break then move on to the next.'
Toner adds, 'One tip for this approach – helps to keep a cleaning caddy nearby to avoid running back and forth for supplies!'
Check out these 15 tidying tips professional organizers swear by.
3. Get accountable
Working alone can make it easy to delay chores. Getting someone to hold you accountable keeps you on track, and is known as body doubling.
Zanelli says, 'Adding a sense of accountability through a set schedule or involving someone else can boost motivation and help overcome the tendency to procrastinate.
'To do this well, block time in your calendar for a cleaning session and treat it as non-negotiable. Pair up with a friend or family member – even virtually – to clean alongside each other. Sharing before-and-after photos can boost the sense of accomplishment.'
Zanelli recommends the Passion Planner, which comes in a range of colors including 'celestial calm blue'. She says, 'A great planner can help you stay on top of tasks and make cleaning part of your routine. The Passion Planner helps organize daily tasks, set goals, and track progress. It’s perfect for making time for cleaning and staying on top of household chores.'
4. The one-touch rule
Constantly moving items from one place to another simply moves mess. The one-touch rule helps you stay efficient. Zanelli says, 'Handling items multiple times wastes time and mental energy. This rule promotes efficiency and reduces clutter accumulation.
'Commit to handling each item only once. After picking something up, decide its next step and do it – put it away, donate it, or throw it out. Apply this rule consistently in high-traffic areas like entryways or home offices and you'll soon see the difference.'
Zanelli adds, 'To help, I advise keeping a clear storage bin nearby for items to donate, such as the Sterilite 18 Quart Ultra Latch Box, to ensure they don’t clutter other spaces.'
This habit simplifies cleaning and keeps your home tidier in the long run. Check out what happened when our writer tried the one-touch tidying rule.
5. Grab great products
Using the wrong tools or supplies can make cleaning tedious and ineffective. Investing in high-quality products streamlines the process and brings excitement to mundane tasks.
Steven Ip, owner of Cleanzen Boston Cleaning Services, says, 'Getting a new cleaning product can give you extra motivation. Whether it's a fancy robot vacuum or just an effective scrubbing brush, a great product can make all the difference. For me, it's this Sprayway Fresh Scent Glass Cleaner from Walmart. It's a great option since it works on many surfaces and makes cleaning quick and easy.'
With the right tools, chores become faster, easier, and even enjoyable. Check out the robot vacuum that changed our writer's life, the eufy Robot Vacuum Omni S1 Pro, which she rated five-stars and one of our best robot vacuums.
6. Reward yourself
Housework can feel like a thankless task, making it easy to put off. A reward system turns it into something to look forward to.
Ben Soreff, a professional organizer at House to Home Organizing, says, 'If someone doesn't want to do something they will put it off. One trick to address this is what's known as 'temptation bundling' – combining an activity you ought to do, with one you want to. For example, you don't want a flu shot, but after you get one you get ice cream. The treat or reward is different for everyone but you focus on the reward instead of dreading the task.'
Toner says, 'Rewards help reframe cleaning from a boring obligation into a more enjoyable experience. Knowing there’s a treat or a relaxing break waiting for you boosts motivation and reduces resistance to starting tasks. Plus, the act of rewarding yourself creates positive reinforcement, encouraging you to tackle cleaning more willingly in the future.
'To do it, simply set a clear goal and decide on a reward for completing it. This could be a small treat like a piece of chocolate, a cup of tea, or 10 minutes of scrolling through social media. For larger projects, promise yourself a bigger reward, like watching an episode of your favorite show. Gradually increase the difficulty level of your cleaning goals or add more tasks before treating yourself as you gain efficiency.'
Toner recommends this Amazon Basics Small Dry Erase Whiteboard for tracking your cleaning tasks, progress and rewards. Check out these ways to make decluttering fun or delve into H&G's decluttering library, which we've organized to browse by personality type and reader needs.
So there you have it – six expert tips to help you banish procrastination, conquering clutter, chaos and chores. Housework doesn’t have to be dreaded. By breaking tasks into smaller steps, staying accountable, and using the right strategies, you can turn procrastination into productivity.
Next, check out these seven things professional organizers always do to overcome a decluttering roadblock.
