If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s a messy room that looks like it was just invaded by a herd of angry bulls.
Unfortunately, that description currently applies to mine. Miscellaneous video game consoles, old rap magazines, extra iPhone chargers and notebooks filled with scribbles that have little relevance to my life anymore are scattered everywhere.
Thankfully, the rest of my living space doesn’t look like it belongs on the next episode of "Hoarders." Still, I’m in the mood to throw on a pair of heavy-duty yellow gloves, tuck a duster in my back pocket, fire up the vacuum and start tossing non-essentials into a giant garbage bag for a long-overdue spring cleaning session.
This time, though, I wanted a more structured plan instead of my usual chaotic clean-as-I-go method. So I turned to ChatGPT to help map out a strategy and share a few tips that might make future cleaning sprees easier.
By the end of the experiment, tackling my spring cleaning turned out to be far simpler than I expected.
ChatGPT gave me a set of cleaning rules and a one-week plan
ChatGPT helped me get off on the right foot after I asked, “I need help with my spring cleaning. What are some general rules I should follow?”
First, it emphasized starting with a solid plan. I made a checklist of every room that needed attention and the cleaning supplies required for each one. ChatGPT also suggested decluttering before deep cleaning and tackling higher surfaces first before moving down. It even recommended emptying enclosed spaces like the fridge, drawers and closets before cleaning them.
Two tips stood out. The first was the “One-Year Rule,” which suggests letting go of anything you haven’t used in the past 12 months. The second was the “20-Minute Rule,” which involves setting a timer for 20 to 30 minutes and focusing on one cleaning task at a time to stay productive without burning out.
It also suggested organizing items as I went — grouping similar things together and labeling them so they’re easier to find later.
After writing down those tips, I asked ChatGPT to create a 7-day spring cleaning plan to help me tackle everything. Here’s how it broke down my week of scrubbing, dusting and decluttering:
- Day 1: Declutter & Entry Areas - declutter entryway tables, shelves, and surfaces. Sort shoes, coats, and bags. Throw away junk mail and old papers. Wipe doors, door handles, and light switches. Vacuum or mop floors
- Day 2: Living Room Reset - dust shelves, TV stand, and electronics. Vacuum couches and under cushions. Wash or lint-roll throw blankets and pillows. Wipe remotes, controllers, and surfaces. Vacuum or mop floors
- Day 3: Kitchen Deep Clean - clean out the refrigerator (throw away expired items). Wipe shelves and drawers. Clean the microwave and stovetop. Wipe cabinet doors and handles. Sanitize countertops and sink. Mop floors
- Day 4: Bathroom Refresh - scrub shower, bathtub, and tiles. Clean the toilet inside and outside. Wipe mirrors and countertops. Throw away expired toiletries and makeup. Wash bath mats and towels. Mop floor
- Day 5: Bedroom Reset - change and wash bedding. Dust nightstands and lamps. Vacuum mattress and under the bed. Declutter nightstand drawers. Vacuum or mop floors
- Day 6: Closets & Clothing - try the 1-year rule for clothes. Create piles: keep, donate, and discard. Organize clothes by type or season. Store winter items if the weather is warming up. Vacuum closet floors
- Day 7: Final Touches & Hidden Spots - Dust ceiling fans and vents. Clean windows and mirrors. Wipe baseboards. Replace air filters. Vacuum under furniture. Take donation items out of the house
The “20/20 decluttering rule” pros use
While putting ChatGPT’s week-long spring cleaning plan to use, I also learned about a rule I’d never heard of before.
It’s called the 20/20 decluttering rule, which suggests that if an item costs less than $20 to replace and can be replaced in under 20 minutes, it’s probably safe to let it go instead of holding onto it “just in case.”
ChatGPT even slipped into motivational-speaker mode with this advice: instead of asking “What if I need this someday?” ask “Could I replace this quickly and cheaply if I needed it?” Most of the time, the answer is yes — which makes it much easier to part ways with the clutter.
With that in mind, I got to work tossing spare journals with nothing written in them, old phone chargers from iPhones I no longer own, ancient TV cables and adapters, plastic kitchen utensils and a stack of playing cards that hadn’t seen the light of day since random house get-togethers back in the 2010s.
Final thoughts
I have to hand it to ChatGPT—not only was it helpful when the time came to coach me out of my procrastinating ways and organize my daily to-do list, but it also came in handy when I needed it to turn my spring cleaning efforts into an easy-to-follow framework.
Within a week, I stuck to its plan and kept that trusty 20/20 decluttering rule in the back of my head while I turned my inner city palace into a near-spotless one. ChatGPT has become my old reliable chatbot whenever I need some extra assistance in whatever I do.
It’s pretty reassuring to know that it’s also really good at getting spring cleaning plans in order.
