Learn how to get motivated to clean and declutter.  These tips and tricks will help you take small steps to get started no matter how overwhelmed you are.

No one wants to clean.  Well, almost no one.  

If you're having a hard time getting motivation for cleaning house, know that you aren't alone.  Maybe you've been busy or just had a major lifestyle change.  Maybe you just don't know how to clean.  Maybe you just haven't felt like it.

Life happens.  

But now you want to make some changes and learn how to get motivated to clean and declutter.

The good news is that it's not too late.  You can find the motivation that you need to get started.  

These tips will help you find motivation for cleaning house.

How to Get Motivated to Clean and Declutter

Identify Why You Don't Have Motivation for Cleaning Your House

I know it sounds so basic, but first take some time to reflect on the problem.  Talk to people that you live with and or friends to see if they can help.

Maybe you're depressed.  If so, get help from a doctor.  Cleaning and performing basic tasks is hard when you're depressed, but there is help available.

Maybe you have ADHD.  Again, talk to your doctor.  There are options to help you.  Some behavior modification and/or medication may help.

Maybe you're just overwhelmed.  I get it.  I've been there, too.  If you're overwhelmed, it might be a good idea to call in reinforcements to get some help.

Maybe you just hate cleaning.  A lot of people do.  Here are 7 tips for people who hate cleaning.

Baby Steps for Motivation for Cleaning

It took time for your home to get like this, and it will take time to clean it.  Be realistic when you set goals for cleaning.

When you learn how to get motivated to clean and declutter, it will take a while.  Expect this to be a process that takes weeks or even months.

Ask for Help

No matter how or why you lost your motivation for cleaning house, don't be afraid to ask for help.  Enlist the help of family members or friends.  

They will help keep you motivated, and you'll get to spend time together.  

You might also consider hiring someone to help.  If you feel that your home is too messy, don't worry about it.  This is their job.  They've seen worse.

You an either work along side them and learn how to clean a house like a professional, or let them take care of some of the chores to take them off of your to do list.

Make a List

If you try to clean and declutter your home in one day, you will get overwhelmed and lose motivation for cleaning your house.

I suggest making a list on paper of what you want to clean.  

Stand in each room and identify areas that need cleaned and decluttered.  Write them down by the room, and make sure that each area is small.  

Then prioritize what needs done first.  

When you complete each task, mark it off of your list.  Seeing the list get smaller and smaller will be great motivation for cleaning house.  

Break Tasks into Smaller Tasks

This is especially helpful if you have ADHD, but it's good for anyone who needs motivation for cleaning your house.

Instead of trying to clean and organize all of your kitchen cabinets, start with one.  Then move to the next one.

When you know that you have a small goal to achieve, you'll be more motivated for cleaning and more likely to succeed.

Start With Easy Tasks

If you get overwhelmed, you'll lost your motivation for cleaning house quick.  You don't have to tackle the hard stuff right away.

It's fine to work on each things first.  Once you get several smaller tasks done, then you'll find more motivation for cleaning your house for the bigger stuff.

Set a Timer

When you are just overwhelmed and have no idea where to start, set a timer.  I love my Time Timer.  I used it for my kids, but it helps me too.

Set it for 15 minutes or 30 minutes and just start cleaning and decluttering.  When the timer is done, you're done.  

Leave the rest for your next cleaning burst.

This is especially helpful for kids who don't have motivation for cleaning house; however, it works well for adults too.

Declutter

The less you have, the less you have to clean.  While you're cleaning, have three boxes with you.

One is for trash, one is for things to get rid of, and one is for things that don't belong in that room.

For things to get rid, I put them all in one box.  Then when the box is full, I decide where they go.

I will either find someone to give them to, sell them, or donate.  I do not make that decision while I'm cleaning because it will take too long and I'll lost my motivation for cleaning house.

Stay on Task

As I just mentioned, I keep a box for things that don't belong in that area.  This is because I need to stay on task.

How many times have you starting cleaning and got distracted by the laundry, then loaded the dishwasher, then sorted the mail, then you got a drawer half organized.

By the time an hour was up, you didn't get anything accomplished.

Use your time wisely and stay on task.  I literally tell my self "No!  Stay here!" as I'm cleaning to keep myself on one task at a time.

Make Time to Clean and Declutter

 I have a planner.  If it's not in my planner, it doesn't happen.  

So I schedule time to clean.  It's hard to find motivation for cleaning your house, but I find that it's easier if it's on the calendar.

I typically schedule some time each evening and time on Saturday to clean.  

Clean While You Wait

While you're cooking dinner and it's simmering or you're waiting on the microwave, work on the dishes.  

Clean your counters or even clean the cupboard doors.  

It might only be a few minutes, but those minutes add up.

Avoid Making More Messes and Clutter

I call them hot spots.  These are the spots that just always have clutter don't get cleaned.  Even after you learn how to get motivated to clean and declutter, you don't want to spend your entire waking day cleaning and decluttering.

Once you find your motivation for cleaning house, also work to prevent future messes and clutter.  Rinse off dishes and put them in the dishwasher right away.

Make sure trash is thrown away right away.

Clean up spills and messes.

Spending a few moments cleaning as soon as the mess happens will save you time later.

Have the Right Tools

This doesn't mean that you have to go out and buy a lot of stuff to get motivated for cleaning your home.  Use what you have, but make sure that you have the right tools and supplies.

You can also learn how to clean with vinegar or learn about cleaning with baking soda for an inexpensive natural cleaning product.  Or make your own natural all purpose cleaner recipe. 

Stop Buying New Things

After you get all of the cleaning supplies that you need, stop buying new things.  Make a deal with yourself that you have to get rid of two or three things for each new thing that you buy.

The less you have, the less you have to clean.  Learning how to get motivated to clean your home and declutter is a lot easier when there's  less to do.

I hope these tips help you find motivation for cleaning your house!

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