10 Ways to Make Cleaning Fun

There is no question that cleaning house can be a major bore and a ton of work. Fact is though, that to live a more healthy and comfortable lifestyle it must be done. After cleaning multitudes of homes, and owning my own cleaning business for years, I have learned a few tricks to make this daunting task much more desirable. If you can't hire it done, here are a few tips to help make that chore not such a bore. 

1. Go shopping
By purchasing cleaning products that you are excited about using helps build your anticipation of using them. One Suggestion is if you have never been to a Norwex cleaning party, I highly recommend you do! These products are amazing. (You can order them from our Boutique, or find a rep by going to www.norwex.com)  I can't tell you how many people that go to a Norwex cleaning party are so excited about getting their products so they can go home and clean. Norwex also has a great line of products just for kiddos too!

If you are also going to be organizing, go out and get your storage bins, totes, hangers, jewelry organizers, and whatever else you may need for your organizing. This is such a great way to build excitement. Yes, I said it, excitement!!! 

2. Make it a G.I. party

Camo Cupcakes

Line up the troops, and make it a G.I. party. When I was a kid my parents told me and my two kid brothers that we were going to have a G.I. party, and we were so excited until we found out what it was. By definition a G.I. party is : "A GI Party is military jargon for a group cleaning effort of a barracks, common area, bathroom, or, any area, room, office, etc. in general. It is not a casual cleaning, but rather an intensive top-down, inside-out, scrubbing, polishing, detailing, etc., typically in preparation for an inspection. Contrary to the name, it is no fun. One is not invited to a GI Party; one is ordered to participate in a GI Party."  
You can make this a little more fun for the kiddos by making it a themed cleaning day. Pull out camo outfits and play dress up, or make camo cupcake's to celebrate your troops hard work with at the end of the day! Take little breaks throughout the day and do some drills as a family. Jumping jacks anyone?  

What I'm jamming too!

3. Recruit help
Cleaning is always more fun with a friend, so make a phone call and offer a swap. For some reason it is so much more fun to clean another person's home than it is your own, so odds are can find a friend who is willing to pitch in when the favor is reciprocated.    

4. Jam out

Cranking up the tunes will make time fly. Not only will time seemly move faster, but music is a fatigue fighter, and listening to upbeat music can be a great way to find some extra energy. 

Sing out loud, and dance with your broom. It's OK, no one is watching. And if the neighbors by chance see you, they always knew you were a little different anyways.

5. Make it a game
If the family is helping, race each other, whoever is done first gets a prize! If your going it solo then set goals to get things done by certain times, or set a timer. If the timer goes off before you are done, you lose, so don't let time win. 

Set up trash can's as a "basket ball hoop", every time you make a basket give yourself points! Who ever has the most points at the end of the day wins.  

6. Make it a date
This may seem like a strange one, but get your spouse involved. If you have children arrange an off-site baby sitter, and arrange a romantic scavenger hunt. Plant sweet little notes about each other or put small gifts in the rooms that your spouse is assigned too. Writing little LOVE notes will make it motivating and encourage your spouse of "whats to come" when you both get done. Men may be especially motivated by this, especially when he is getting visions. It might amaze you how quickly cleaning the toilet is exciting to him! (Make good on your promises though ladies!) 

7. Aroma therapy
Smells have this uncanny ability to conjure up memories. If when ever you smell lavender it reminds you of spring and spring gives you happy thoughts, then put the scent in the air. I love burning good smelling candles when I clean. I use a lot of organic cleaning supplies that don't really smell, so I really love a good candle. My absolute favorite are scents are from White Lights Soy Candle Company located in Norway Iowa. 

Buying fresh flowers or opening up the windows are other great ways to get a fresh scent in the air.

8. Reward yourself
I have one rule at my house on the day that I clean, "KITCHEN CLOSED"! Reward yourself by taking yourself out to dinner. You have something to look forward to and it will feel great to come back to the house and have it be so clean. 

On a budget? Some cheap ways to reward yourself are:
1. Take a bubble bath
2. Read a book
3. Play board games with your family
4. Watch a movie
5. Make some chocolate chip cookies

9. Think and reflect 
This is so simple, but it's my absolute favorite. NOTE: When I say think, I do not mean think about all your problems. I get the most amazing ideas when I'm cleaning. Think about things that are pure, just and lovely. Think about your future, and all the amazing things that God might have for your life. Before you know it, you've cleaned the whole house and your felling inspired, motivated and refreshed.

10. Count your blessings
One way to change that negative attitude about cleaning is to count your blessings as you clean. Instead of complaining about cleaning the toilet take time to thank God that you have indoor plumbing. I am so grateful that I wasn't born 1000 years ago!   

Cleaning can be fun, so remember, this is your life and you have what you make of it. Happy cleaning!