Let’s be honest—facing a messy house can feel like preparing for battle. You walk into a room, take one look around, and suddenly feel the overwhelming urge to just shut the door and pretend it doesn’t exist. But the truth is, the mess isn’t going to clean itself (unfortunately). So, if you’re wondering how to start cleaning a messy house without feeling like you need a vacation afterward, you’re in the right place.
Step 1: The Mental Warm-Up
Before you even think about picking up a mop, take a deep breath. Cleaning a messy house is a marathon, not a sprint. The key is to start small and avoid the trap of trying to do everything at once.
Set Realistic Goals
Decide which areas need immediate attention. Is it the kitchen overflowing with dishes? The living room buried under laundry? Choose one section and commit to tackling it first. Remember, progress is still progress—even if it’s just clearing off one counter.
Get Your Supplies Ready
There’s nothing worse than gearing up for a cleaning session only to realize you’re out of disinfectant wipes. Gather trash bags, an all-purpose cleaner, a vacuum, and a laundry basket for misplaced items. Having everything on hand will keep you from getting distracted.
Step 2: Declutter Like a Pro
Before you can clean, you need to declutter. Think of it this way: you wouldn’t mop over a pile of Legos, would you?
Trash, Donate, Relocate
Go through each area with three categories in mind:
- Trash – Anything broken, expired, or useless.
- Donate – Clothes, toys, or household items in good condition that you no longer use.
- Relocate – Items that belong elsewhere in the house.
Use a laundry basket to collect things that need to be moved to another room. Just don’t get sidetracked reorganizing your entire closet while doing it. Stay focused!
Step 3: Start With the Quick Wins
Now that the clutter is under control, it’s time to clean. But don’t start with the most daunting task—build momentum by knocking out quick wins first.
Dishes and Laundry First
Nothing makes a house feel messier than piles of dishes and overflowing laundry baskets. Get those started immediately. Toss a load in the washer and let the dishwasher do the heavy lifting while you move on to the next task.
Clean Room by Room, Not All at Once
Trying to clean the entire house at once is a surefire way to end up frustrated. Instead, go room by room. The best order? Start with the easiest space to gain confidence, then move to the harder areas.
Step 4: Follow the Top-to-Bottom Rule
Gravity is not your friend when it comes to cleaning. Always work from the top down to avoid having to redo areas.
- Dust shelves and surfaces first – Use a microfiber cloth to capture dust instead of just pushing it around.
- Wipe down furniture and counters – A simple all-purpose cleaner works wonders.
- Vacuum or mop last – Any dirt or crumbs that fell while cleaning will be picked up.
Step 5: Don’t Neglect the Forgotten Zones
It’s easy to focus on the obvious mess, but some areas tend to be neglected:
- Doorknobs and light switches – These collect more germs than you’d like to know.
- Under furniture – Dust bunnies love these hidden spots.
- Bathroom essentials – Swap out old sponges, toothbrush holders, and shower curtains.
Step 6: Keep It Fresh
Once the mess is gone, make the space feel brand new:
- Open windows for fresh air.
- Light a candle or use an air freshener.
- Put on fresh linens and fluffy towels to give your home that just-cleaned feeling.
Step 7: The Secret to Keeping It Clean
You’ve conquered the mess, but how do you keep it from coming back like an uninvited house guest?
The One-Minute Rule
If something takes less than a minute to do, do it immediately. Putting dishes in the sink, hanging up a coat, or tossing junk mail takes seconds but prevents clutter from piling up.
The 15-Minute Tidy-Up
At the end of each day, take just 15 minutes to reset your space. Put things back where they belong, wipe down surfaces, and prep for the next day.
Assign Weekly Cleaning Tasks
Break up chores throughout the week so cleaning never feels overwhelming:
- Monday: Dust and vacuum.
- Tuesday: Clean the kitchen.
- Wednesday: Laundry.
- Thursday: Bathrooms.
- Friday: Floors and general tidying.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to start cleaning a messy house, you can turn chaos into cleanliness one step at a time. The trick is to stay consistent and not let small messes grow into overwhelming ones. But if you ever need a break from the scrubbing and vacuuming, professional help is just a call away. If you’re in need of expert assistance, check out cleaning services in Denver for a hassle-free way to keep your home sparkling.
