How to Clean a Room

Struggling with a messy house or just want to be more efficient? Learn how to clean a room faster and better with this plan and tips.

When it comes to homemaking keeping our homes clean, neat, and organized is one of our major jobs. It’s also not one that a lot of us enjoy.

I’m not a naturally neat person. My room was always a mess as a kid and my office is usually the messiest room in the house. I have to make a lot of effort to keep the house neat and tidy.

I have gotten a lot better over the years though and I’ve learned a lot about cleaning efficiently. One place I learned about this was the long gone blog The Glamorous Housewife. A few posts she wrote many years ago really helped me. And they helped me create a good plan on how to clean a room.

Have a Plan

I often get distracted while cleaning. I start on one task and find something else that needs to be done and end up doing that before I finished the first task.

Having a cleaning plan is a good way to make sure you stay on track. That messy closet needs dealt with but not while you should be cleaning the bathroom.

So before you clean write down a detailed to-do list. It’s also so satisfying to cross things off the list. If something isn’t on that list don’t do it. Keep a pen nearby and add it to a “to do later” list and then get back on track.

Deal with the Clutter

The best way to make a room look messy is to have a lot of clutter. So grab a laundry basket to help you deal with it.

Look around the room, are there things that don’t belong? Put them in the laundry basket. If it does belong but is just in the wrong spot, put it up.

Once the room is decluttered the actual cleaning part becomes a lot easier.

Stay on Track

Remember that list? Stick to it and do one thing at a time. This is the hardest part for me. I get distracted so easily. It’s amazing how much quicker I am when I force myself to finish a task before moving to the next one.

Multitasking rarely actually saves time. It usually means we do a poor job at multiple things. This is true even with cleaning. Sure some tasks can be done at the same time but not many. If you are going to multitask make sure it’s actually helpful.

Start at the Top

The most efficient way to clean a room is from top to bottom. This makes sure if you knock down some dust you will be cleaning it later anyway so it doesn’t matter.

Start with the ceiling and check for cobwebs, then work your way down to cleaning the floors. I find this especially helpful in the kitchen because you don’t need to worry when cleaning countertops if some crumbs fall on the floor.

Work Your Way Out of the Room

When you get to the bottom level of the room start from the back corner and work your way out. This is how maids clean and it’s a great way to avoid messing up your work by walking back through it while cleaning.

Entertain Your Brain

Cleaning isn’t fun for most people. Sure it’s great when it’s done, I love a freshly cleaned house but it can be a boring task and just drag on.

Thankfully we have so many devices available to us now that can make this task a lot better. There are several options that help keep your brain more active while cleaning to help the time seem to go faster.

Listen to music.
Listen to a podcast.
Listen to an audiobook. You can get 2 free audiobooks from Audible.

You can turn on the tv, this works for some people but make sure you aren’t actually getting distracted. I get distracted so I avoid this.

Make it a Race

What makes you clean faster than knowing a last minute guest is heading over? The answer for me is nothing.

You can recreate that will a bit less stress by setting a timer and racing to beat it. You will be shocked by what you can do in even 15 minutes.

Finish Your List & Enjoy

Remember that list you made? Finish all the tasks on it. A half done job is never very helpful.

Make sure you also take a moment to enjoy what you have done. Look around, take in how nice the room looks now that you are done.

This will help you next time you need to clean remember how much you enjoy when it’s all done.