Clean Less, Live More: 9 Ways to Ditch the Cleaning Obsession

When my husband and I first moved into our newly built townhouse, I was obsessed with cleaning.

I wanted to make our home look like the Pottery Barn magazine at all times. There is nothing on the floor, no dirty dishes in the sink, and the pillows have to be perfectly lined up on the couch.

I remember so distinctly one night after work. I was so exhausted, but I insisted on maintaining that perfect magazine look by doing the dishes.

And I thought to myself, if I wait to do the dishes tomorrow, what will happen in 10 years? Nothing.

But if I consistently prioritize this cleaning obsession over my health and wellness, what will happen in 10 years? Probably some major health issues.

That moment made me reflect on how I want to spend my time.

And I’m here to share with you tips on cleaning less so you can live more!

 

 

1. Embrace Imperfection

Being a perfectionist at the time, this one was hard for me.

I had to tell myself no one’s home is perfect, and that’s perfectly normal.

Embrace the imperfections and let go of the need to have everything spotless all the time. I learned that a little dust or a few dishes in the sink won’t hurt.

Your sanity and well-being are more important than a perfectly clean home!

 

2. Adopt Minimalism

One of the best ways to clean less is to have less stuff.

Minimalism is a lifestyle and design philosophy characterized by simplicity, clarity, and the deliberate reduction of excess in various aspects of life.

Minimalism is more than just about decluttering your physical space; but also decluttering your mind. When you have fewer possessions, there’s less to clean and organize.

Since I started embracing minimalism, I found myself spending less time looking for things (because my pantry or closet used to be cluttered) and spending more time with the people and things I love!

 

3. Simplify Your Wardrobe

Do you spend hours organizing your closet, doing laundry, or deciding what to wear?

Cut down on your clothing collection by embracing a capsule wardrobe.

A capsule wardrobe is a minimalist approach to clothing and fashion that involves creating a curated collection of versatile, high-quality, and timeless clothing items that can be mixed and matched for a wide variety of outfits.

I started investing in a capsule wardrobe this year, and it’s made a huge difference in my life! I feel less decision fatigue (having to decide what to wear), yet more confident in what I wear (because I invested in quality pieces!).

 

4. Create Atomic Habits for Cleaning

In the book [easyazon_link identifier=”1847941842″ locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]Atomic Habits[/easyazon_link], the author, James Clear, explains the power of small behavioral changes that can improve your life and who you are.

Here are two ways of how I’ve adopted atomic habits for cleaning:

1. Instead of cleaning the entire house at once, focus on one area each day for 5-10 minutes.
2. Instead of putting my jacket or bag on the couch when I get home, I immediately put them where they belong so I don’t have to clean the couch later.

This way, you can keep your space consistently tidy without spending all your free time on cleaning.

 

5. Switch to Easy-Clean Materials

When it comes to buying dinnerware or kitchen appliances, I now mostly opt for dishwasher-safe materials instead of hand-wash only.

At times when I’m really busy and don’t have time to unload the clean dishwasher right away, I prioritize using the dishes in the dishwasher first so it’s less to unload later!

As for my clothing, I buy mostly washer-and-dryer-safe materials.

Also, here’s a tip: for more delicate materials, like wool or cashmere, you can prolong your trips to the dry cleaner by wearing a washer-safe undershirt underneath it!

 

6. Use Frozen Vegetables

I know this sounds like a weird suggestion, but trust me, I didn’t realize how much time I was spending on prepping vegetables for every meal until I timed it last year!

From washing and drying the vegetables to cutting and cleaning up afterward, it was taking up so much time!

Not to mention, sometimes my fresh produce goes bad because I simply don’t have the time to use them in time.

So, wherever I can, I prioritize getting frozen vegetables to avoid all the prep and clean-up! Plus, they last much longer!

 

7. Hire Help

If you can afford it, consider hiring a cleaning service.

It may seem like a luxury, but it’s a game-changer. Having professionals take care of your cleaning frees up your time for the people and things you care about more.

In Chinese Feng Shui, it’s believed that a clean, clutter-free environment can promote happiness, wealth, and wellness.

So think of it as investing in your own self-care and not being wasteful with your money when you can technically do it yourself.

 

8. Invest in Self-Cleaning Gadgets

Technology can be your best friend in the quest to clean less.

Invest in self-cleaning gadgets like [easyazon_link keywords=”self-cleaning ovens” locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]self-cleaning ovens[/easyazon_link], [easyazon_link keywords=”robot vacuum cleaners” locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]robot vacuum cleaners[/easyazon_link], and[easyazon_link keywords=”dishwashers with steam cleaning options” locale=”US” tag=”chapbrea05-20″]dishwashers with steam cleaning options[/easyazon_link].

Let these gadgets do the dirty work for you!

 

9. Share the Load

Cleaning is not a one-person job.

If you have family members close by or kids who are old enough, get your family involved and share the cleaning load.

Create a chore chart, and make cleaning a team effort. It’s not only efficient, but can also teach your kids about responsibility.

 

 

Conclusion

I started adopting these mindset and lifestyle shifts over the last two years, and it’s incredible to see how much more time and energy I now have to spend with my family and hobbies.

And what’s great is that anyone, especially if you’re a busy mom, can easily incorporate these tips as well, starting today.

So, let’s say goodbye to the cleaning obsession and hello to a more relaxed and fulfilling life!

Clean less, live more!

 

Author Bio
Jen runs the jenmcgann.com blog, with the goal of helping moms embrace motherhood while celebrating the birth of new beautiful lives.  When Jen is not blogging, you can find her brunching with family and friends, practicing meditation, or reading self-improvement books!