When it comes down to it, cleaning your home caters for your five senses. You want your home to look beautiful, smell amazing and fresh, feel comfortable, be sanitized for eating delicious meals, and sound peaceful – think soft music or a familiar radio station.
So, why not use your five senses to clean? After all, a home that is sensory-pleasing will be a relaxing sanctuary.
Here, we spoke to cleaning experts for their cleaning tips on using this method – for a beautiful home that reflects a tranquil mind.
What is the 'Five Senses' cleaning method?
Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, explains, 'This method transforms cleaning from a purely functional task into a full experience to stimulate and satisfy all five senses.'
- Sight: 'A clean, organized space simply looks better – it's tidy, bright, and inviting, making the whole room feel more put together,' says Toner.
- Sound: Adding relaxing sounds which suit your space, whether they are soft music, rain sounds or something else, can instantly make you feel calm. And, if you're a lover of cleaning, Will Cotter, owner of DeluxeMaid, says, 'Sound can be enjoying the the hum of your best vacuum, the swish of a mop, the trickle of water, or the satisfying click of a drawer closing.'
- Smell: This can be letting in fresh air through open windows, lighting your best candle, using essential oils, or simply using great smelling cleaning products to set the mood of your space.
- Taste: Cleaning your kitchen will ensure that your home is safe for food prep, presentation and eating home-cooked meals with friends and family. Or, as Cotter says, 'Once the job is done, it’s great to treat yourself to a tasty snack or whatever you’re craving.'
- Touch: Of course, no one wants to touch a surface and be left with a sticky, sinking feeling. Beyond that, 'Soft blankets, smooth countertops, and freshly laundered towels feel amazing and make your home more comfortable and welcoming,' says Toner.
'It’s really more than just making your home look good – it helps make it feel like home too.'
Why is the 'Five Senses' cleaning method effective?
So, why is cleaning with your five senses so effective?
Well, Galia Ivanova, owner at Cleaning Estimate, says, 'What I like most about this method is that it goes beyond just making things look tidy. Normally we think of "clean" as just a shiny counter, or a vacuumed rug, but this approach makes you consider how a space feels, smells, sounds, and even tastes in a subtle way, like having fresh fruit out or choosing cleaning products that don't leave a weird aftertaste in the air.
'It’s really about creating a place you actually want to spend time in, not just a room that’s technically dirt-free,' by grounding yourself in your space and taking it all in. Therefore, it's especially good for cleaning when feeling overwhelmed.
Does a clean house make you happier? We're not suggesting that cleaning is the answer to all of life's problems, but studies have shown that a tidy house really can reflect a tidy mind – so using your senses can ensure that your space aligns with what you, as an individual, need from your home.
How to use the 'Five senses' cleaning method
Unlike most things in life, this method really is as simple as it sounds. First, begin by gathering your cleaning supplies, so you can tackle problems as you notice them. It might make it easier, and more enjoyable, to throw them all into a big plastic basket, such as the Mainstays Large White Decorative Storage Basket available at Walmart, which will also come in handy when doing laundry.
Then, Hilary Cooper, home organizer and founder of Uncluttered advises, 'Touch all of your bathroom and kitchen countertops, walk barefoot throughout your home, open every drawer and cabinet. This is an ideal way to look at your home as an outsider.'
As cleaning expert Karina Toner points out, this makes cleaning a mindful task, making you more attuned to details you might otherwise miss, usually resulting in a deeper, more thorough clean.
'It can also work for anyone,' she adds. 'You can tailor the sensory elements like the scents, sounds, and textures to match your personal preferences or mood.'
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If you want supplies which truly smell amazing, Method cleaning products are plant-based, vegan, cruelty-free, and fantastically fragranced.
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Which rooms to use the 'Five Senses' cleaning method in
Really, the 'Five Senses' cleaning method is suitable for use all around the house, but cleaning expert Cotter recommends it most for communal areas.
He says, 'It's great for the living room, definitely! Or any rooms or spaces that are commonly used. Also, entryway ideas. It might be the last thing for some people but for me, this space sets the tone for how the rest of the house would feel and look.'
Once clean, why not add one of your best reed diffusers, which is one of the things people with nice-smelling entryways always do.
For cleaning expert Toner, your kitchen ideas will benefit the most from the 'Five Senses' cleaning method. She says, 'Clean, shiny counters and sanitized surfaces not only look great, but also make food prep safer. Getting rid of lingering kitchen odors and replacing them with fresh scents, like citrus and herbs, really transforms the kitchen space.
The kitchen also presents the opportunity to play with scent – using more unusual fragrances, like Loewe's tomato candle. This unusual yet alluring LOEWE PERFUMES Tomato Leaves medium scented candle is available at NET-A-PORTER, but there are also plenty of more affordable alternatives available online.
For living room ideas, cleaning expert Ivanova says, 'I play attention to textures, making sure the throw blankets are actually soft and not just decorative.' Make sure you know how often you should wash your blankets, too.
'And I've realized even a small bit of ambient music – something light and not distracting – makes a difference,' she adds. 'It's about making the space feel right from every angle.'
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Tips for making the 'Five Senses' cleaning method even more effective
As this cleaning method can be interpreted in different ways, the way it's used effectively will depend on the individual.
For cleaning expert Cotter, his 'non-negotiables' are food and music. He says, 'Eat before you clean so you’re fueled. If halfway you get hungry, it’s okay to eat too. Then, play your favorite playlist.
'I have one for workout (anything upbeat), for working (Christmas lo-fi this season!) and specifically for cleaning (my top 2024 songs on Spotify at the moment). It just gets me in the mood. Plus, singing along makes the time fly.'
Cleaning expert Toner prefers to think more practically, reminding us to declutter regularly, removing unnecessary items as part of an achievable cleaning routine, as 'a clean, uncluttered room instantly feels more organized and inviting.
'Clean windows and open blinds to let sunlight fill the space and brighten the room. Incorporate colorful accents like throw pillows or fresh flowers.
'Deep clean fabrics by washing and caring for curtains and drapes,' and neutralize odors with homemade room spray and cleaning with baking soda when tackling carpets or trashcans.
Then, polish wood furniture with Pledge Expert Care Wood Polish Spray available at Amazon, so it's smooth to the touch, and consider trying a simmer pot recipe to fill your home with a unique, personalized scent that's tailored to your space.
For cleaning expert Ivanova, 'The key is not the overdo it. You don't want competing scents or blasting music. Keep everything balances, and lean towards gentle, plant-based cleaners that don't leave a chemical smell.
'One I've really liked is the Aunt Fannie's All Purpose Cleaning Vinegar available at Amazon, because it cleans well but doesn't smell fake or overpowering.'
Ultimately, the beauty of this cleaning method is in the eye of the beholder – so why not give it a go yourself.
Next, learn about the 20/10 cleaning method, which is ideal for getting tasks done while incorporating breaks into your routine.
