Cleaning house can be a daunting task for some women. I grew up with a mother who cleaned her house from top to bottom almost every single day. It seemed so exhausting! I wanted to find ways to make these chores seem like something I look forward to more than something I’m constantly dreading. The following tips have worked for me and I thought I would share them for those who need some extra encouragement!

• Plan. Planning your cleaning as another part of your day instead of keeping it as an after-thought will lessen the stress of actually doing it. Pick a time that you know will work for you. Try not to leave your chores for the day until the end of the day when you are already tired, unless of course this is the time that you find works best!
• Do a Little Each Day. I used to wait until the weekend and try to get everything cleaned at one time. This doesn’t work for me at all! I found that tidying up throughout the week meant that I dreaded cleaning a little less by the time the weekend came around. Maybe you still do most of your cleaning on the weekends, but cleaning a little bit each day will really help lessen the load for you later.
• Comfy Clothes. This may seem crazy to some people, but I think being comfortable while you clean is important. I have found that I get more accomplished if I am in comfy clothes! Coming home from work and trying to clean in dress clothes wasn’t working out as well as if I changed into a t-shirt and sweat pants and made myself a little more comfortable.
• Eliminate Distractions. Obviously there are going to be some distractions that are unavoidable, unless you have a certain time of day when you are completely alone. But simply turning off the tv can help you focus and minimize your time spent cleaning!
• Light Candles. This is another tip that may not appeal to some people, but I already feel better about my house when I have candles lit and a nice aroma to enjoy! Lighting candles in the rooms that you are working in can help lift your mood as well.
• Turn Up the Music. Listening to (and singing along!) to music can help me almost forget that I’m even cleaning. Every person has a different taste in music, but I personally need something up-beat to keep myself going. Create a playlist on your phone that is specifically for cleaning and jam out!