Most of us have fallen prey to putting offcleaninguntil the last minute. But after getting tired of staring at the mess and finally doing it, you start wondering why you didn’t do it sooner. Afterward, your mind seems to be lighter, and you feel proud of yourself for getting that sink tap to sparkle that much.People on this list also tackled tidying up tasks that were long overdue, resulting in these amazing transformations that areoddly satisfying. Scroll down to find them, and be sure to upvote the ones that became the motivation for cleaning you didn’t know you needed.While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation with the owner ofWilkins Refresh Cleaning Service, Michael Wilkins, and cleaning professional and owner ofClean Queen House Cleaning, Katie Lambert, who kindly agreed to give a few tips on how to make cleaning less of a hassle.This post may includeaffiliate links.
Most of us have fallen prey to putting offcleaninguntil the last minute. But after getting tired of staring at the mess and finally doing it, you start wondering why you didn’t do it sooner. Afterward, your mind seems to be lighter, and you feel proud of yourself for getting that sink tap to sparkle that much.
People on this list also tackled tidying up tasks that were long overdue, resulting in these amazing transformations that areoddly satisfying. Scroll down to find them, and be sure to upvote the ones that became the motivation for cleaning you didn’t know you needed.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation with the owner ofWilkins Refresh Cleaning Service, Michael Wilkins, and cleaning professional and owner ofClean Queen House Cleaning, Katie Lambert, who kindly agreed to give a few tips on how to make cleaning less of a hassle.
This post may includeaffiliate links.
The last couple of years was a hell for this owner. Fortunately he recognized he can’t continue his life this way, so he asked my help. Please don’t judge
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“A clean environment is essential because it promotes both physical and mental well-being. A tidy,organizedspace reduces stress, increases productivity, and fosters a positive atmosphere,” says Michael Wilkins, owner ofWilkins Refresh Cleaning ServicetoBored Panda.
Cleaning professional and owner ofClean Queen House Cleaning, Katie Lambert, definitely agrees that having a clean environment is crucial both for mental and physical health.“Having a clean, decluttered space helps you keep a calm mind. I know for myself having ADHD, I get overwhelmed and can’t think as well if my space is dirty and cluttered. I also feel ashamed that I have to spend my weekends and evenings to upkeep my house. I don’t know where that shame came from, but I have talked to many women who feel the same way,” she shares.
Cleaning professional and owner ofClean Queen House Cleaning, Katie Lambert, definitely agrees that having a clean environment is crucial both for mental and physical health.
“Having a clean, decluttered space helps you keep a calm mind. I know for myself having ADHD, I get overwhelmed and can’t think as well if my space is dirty and cluttered. I also feel ashamed that I have to spend my weekends and evenings to upkeep my house. I don’t know where that shame came from, but I have talked to many women who feel the same way,” she shares.
“As a business owner myself, I understand how important it is to create an environment that fosters productivity, creativity, and well-being. By offering professional cleaning services, I can help business owners maintain a welcoming and efficient workspace, ensuring their employees and clients feel comfortable and confident in their surroundings. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to a cleaner, more enjoyable environment for everyone,” he told us.
Meanwhile, Lambert got into the cleaning business in 2009 after graduating college in Hawaii, as there weren’t many available job openings.“My sister, Laura Christian, started her cleaning service in 2005 in Fort Collins. I would help clean for her business when I would come home for summer breaks, and when I was getting ready to graduate, my sister suggested that I clean houses in Hilo, where I was. I ran that business for 8 years, it was really, really hard. Hiring, managing, all of it,” she said, sharing her experience.
Meanwhile, Lambert got into the cleaning business in 2009 after graduating college in Hawaii, as there weren’t many available job openings.
“My sister, Laura Christian, started her cleaning service in 2005 in Fort Collins. I would help clean for her business when I would come home for summer breaks, and when I was getting ready to graduate, my sister suggested that I clean houses in Hilo, where I was. I ran that business for 8 years, it was really, really hard. Hiring, managing, all of it,” she said, sharing her experience.
But things started to pick up when she moved back to Colorado and started another clean business there. “This one was different because I had already made a ton of mistakes in Hawaii, so we were able to grow faster in Colorado. The major game changer for me was in 2023, at age 37, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Then it all came together. Why cleaning is so important for mental health, why I have struggled so much with shame (due to my poor executive functioning), I now want to help more people who struggle with their mental health with cleaning,” she told Bored Panda.
When asked why so many people put off tidying until the last minute, Wilkins said, “Many people dislike cleaning because it can feel like a time-consuming and often overwhelming task, especially when juggling busy schedules. It’s easy to put it off because the immediate results aren’t always visible, and the process can feel repetitive and tedious,” he said.“Additionally, cleaning often requires attention to detail and physical effort, which can be tiring. As a result, many prefer to focus on tasks that feel more rewarding or urgent, leaving cleaning to the last minute. However, I think that once people experience the benefits of a clean and organized space, the motivation to keep up with it often increases!”
When asked why so many people put off tidying until the last minute, Wilkins said, “Many people dislike cleaning because it can feel like a time-consuming and often overwhelming task, especially when juggling busy schedules. It’s easy to put it off because the immediate results aren’t always visible, and the process can feel repetitive and tedious,” he said.
“Additionally, cleaning often requires attention to detail and physical effort, which can be tiring. As a result, many prefer to focus on tasks that feel more rewarding or urgent, leaving cleaning to the last minute. However, I think that once people experience the benefits of a clean and organized space, the motivation to keep up with it often increases!”
Lambert agrees that a chore like cleaning can be highly overwhelming if a person is trying to complete it all at once. “If you can, set your family up on a recurring cleaning schedule with your local cleaning service, this will not only help your relationship, but also help to make sure you’re living in a clean space, you just need to maintain your things! If you need help with decluttering or organizing, I suggest hiring an organizer first, then the house cleaner can come in and do a really great deep clean,” she recommends.
Something else that can make tidying up less of a hassle is breaking the tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, says Wilkins. “Instead of tackling everything at once, focus on one area at a time, like a room or surface.“Another tip he has is to use the right tools and cleaning products to complete the job. “Microfiber cloths, for example, are great for dusting and wiping surfaces without leaving residue. Regular maintenance, like wiping down high-touch areas daily, can prevent buildup and make deep cleaning less overwhelming,” he adds.“Lastly, always clean from top to bottom, starting with dusting and ending with floors, so dirt and debris don’t fall on areas you’ve already cleaned. These strategies can save time and effort while keeping your space consistently clean.”
Something else that can make tidying up less of a hassle is breaking the tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, says Wilkins. “Instead of tackling everything at once, focus on one area at a time, like a room or surface.”
Another tip he has is to use the right tools and cleaning products to complete the job. “Microfiber cloths, for example, are great for dusting and wiping surfaces without leaving residue. Regular maintenance, like wiping down high-touch areas daily, can prevent buildup and make deep cleaning less overwhelming,” he adds.
“Lastly, always clean from top to bottom, starting with dusting and ending with floors, so dirt and debris don’t fall on areas you’ve already cleaned. These strategies can save time and effort while keeping your space consistently clean.”
Lambert emphasizes the importance of cleaning more often and having a schedule for it (for example, doing 10-15 minutes of tasks every evening).“Simple things to keep up with daily include washing dishes, wiping counters, wiping down the stove for grease after cooking, and throwing away any trash. Then you can add in high dusting one night or dusting surfaces another night. Make sure to include the toilets at least once a week, showers can be once every other week, as well as scrubbing the stove, backsplash, and hood!”
Lambert emphasizes the importance of cleaning more often and having a schedule for it (for example, doing 10-15 minutes of tasks every evening).
“Simple things to keep up with daily include washing dishes, wiping counters, wiping down the stove for grease after cooking, and throwing away any trash. Then you can add in high dusting one night or dusting surfaces another night. Make sure to include the toilets at least once a week, showers can be once every other week, as well as scrubbing the stove, backsplash, and hood!”
After letting everything sit for an hour, a lot of the filth was lifted to the surface. I used a scrub brush to clean the crevices and the dirt came off just like using a hot knife through butter. I highly recommend using this non-toxic cleaning method.
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