Top Ten Tuesday: Make Cleaning Fun!

Some people enjoy cleaning and organizing. I enjoy the idea of cleaning and organizing, and typically get 1/4 of the way through a project before getting distracted, leaving things in more of a mess than they were originally.

In an effort to keep myself motivated to make progress on housecleaning, I've compiled a list of things that make cleaning fun! Well, not quite fun, per se, but not excruciatingly yucky.

1. Coffee - starting with a good cup of coffee while planning the day's tasks really helps get things off on the right foot.

2. Attitude - having a good attitude for cleaning is ESSENTIAL. Absolutely vital. Are you muttering while you clean, berating the people in your house for being messy? Or are you thankful for having a comfortable home and for the ability to serve your family?

3. Playlist/Audiobook - a little entertainment goes a long way toward making a dreaded task enjoyable. Energetic music, especially the sing-a-long kind, really helps keep me going. A good audiobook can do the same thing, as long as it's not so interesting that you find yourself just sitting & listening!

4. Movie - I'm sure this seems out of place on the list, but I like watching something good while I fold laundry. Even if I'm way behind on folding (and when am I not?) I can get all of the folding done while doing something fun.

5. Checklist - the Motivated Moms chore planning system has really helped keep me on my toes. I highly recommend it; I'm definitely going to buy it again next year.

6. Apron - I don't have an apron, but I want one! I like the idea of putting it on to remind myself of what I'm supposed to be doing. And besides, they're cute!!

7. Scented Cleaner - to me, a house doesn't seem clean unless it smells fresh. Just yesterday I tried Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Geranium All-Purpose Cleaner, and it is fantastic! I want to use it all over the house, so that I can just sniff it all day long.

8. Tools - you don't need a lot of supplies to clean, but there are a few things that are very helpful. A bucket, good rags for scrubbing, a good duster, and a good mop help get things done in an efficient manner. (I would really like to try the Shark Steam Mop. Have you tried it? Is it a good as it looks?)

9. Snack/Water Breaks - making yourself work too long without a break is counterproductive. It's much better to plan on a short break every hour, with a glass of water and maybe a small snack. Otherwise, you'll exhaust yourself way too soon, and only get things half finished.

10. Flexibility - another essential if you've got littles underfoot, flexibility can help you keep your sanity on cleaning days. Gone are the days when I could whip my house into perfect shape with two hours of work. Instead, it's an all day or many-day process, and it never really gets "perfect." That's just how life is when you are raising small children! It takes longer. Being flexible about the timing of your cleaning helps keep the frustration at a minimum.

What do YOU do to make cleaning more enjoyable? I could always use more motivation!

For more great Top Ten Tuesday lists, visit OhAmanda.com!