20 Ways to Enjoy Housework

You may have read the title of this post and laughed a little, “it’s not possible to enjoy housework” you might be thinking. Although housework isn’t inherently enjoyable, there are ways to make it something you could look forward to.

A lot of it is perspective, and hopefully this list can help change that perspective, so one of the things we do most, as homemakers, is something we can have fun with and take delight in.

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1. Open the Windows

There’s something about fresh air that can really get me motivated and feeling good. Even on cold, winter days, I recommend opening up the windows for a little bit to release the stale air in your home and invite freshness in.

2. Light a Scented Candle or run a Essential Oil Deffuser.

Along with removing the stale air from my home, I like to add a little scent to go with the fresh air. Peppermint, lemon, and lavender are some of my favorites but I also enjoy some pine at Christmas time or cinnamon in the fall.

3. Have a Warm Drink to Keep You Cozy, or a Cold Drink to Cool You Down.

I like to prepare a special drink of sorts for when I’m cleaning through my house. I especially like to have tea or coffee, it makes me feel cozy. But on hot, summer days, a nice glass of iced tea with some lemon or cucumber water, is my go to. Make your cleaning drink something you can look forward to!

4. Listen to an Audio Book, Music or Podcast.

I like to use my cleaning time as an opportunity to “read”, Worship, or learn something new. There are so many free ways to do this, using Pandora, YouTube, or if you have a library card, you may be able to use Hoopla or Libby. Listening to something while cleaning can be good for our minds, but it also can keep us going.

5. Wear What Makes You Feel Good.

Some of us like to dress the part, like a 1950’s housewife to get our cleaning done, others prefer to be as comfy as possible, with yoga pants and a t-shirt. Wear whatever it is that makes you feel good while cleaning, maybe even try something new!

6. Have a Treat Planned for Afterwards.

I really like to find little ways to treat myself, it’s usually not expensive but it’s nice to have something to look forward to after a long day of cleaning. It wouldn’t be any different for me if I spent the day at a typical 9-5 job.

Here are a few small ways you can treat yourself:

• Bake something in the morning and have it ready for the end of the day.
• Take some time to read your book when you’re done.
• Pick out a movie, Pjs and get some popcorn for you enjoy that evening.
• Plan a mini spa day, setting out a face mask, nail polish, and lotion for when you’re done.

If you want more ideas for taking some me time, check out this post about it!

7. Set up Your Space.

Housework doesn’t always mean cleaning, sometimes it can be budgeting or mending clothes. When the time comes for more relaxed chores, take a few minutes before to set up your work area. Make sure you have all that you will need, but also add in a few things to make your space lovely, by adding a candle, some flowers, or a picture. This can add a sense of comfort and make your work space an enjoyable place to be.

8. Find cozy Scenery on YouTube.

There are a lot of choices on YouTube for scenery you can have playing in the background on you phone, laptop, or TV while cleaning. It could be a coffee shop, waterfall, or the ocean! Find something that makes you smile and when you need a mental break, take a moment to relax, soaking in that beautiful scenery.

9. Decorate as You go.

If you’ve read any of my Mini Refresh posts, you know how much I love to decorate small spaces, and one of the ways I enjoy cleaning, is adding in a little decor as I move along. It doesn’t have to be a lot, maybe adding a plant, or rearranging some stuff I already have. This can really help me to appreciate my own handiwork.

10. Wear an Apron.

Someone suggested this to me recently, and I’m looking forward to trying it out! I really like the idea of wearing something, to not only protect my clothes, but to put me in the mindset of cleaning, and when I take it off, I’m done for the day. It can help separate my job- homemaking- and my life at home.

11. Set a Timer.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed with housework, I’ll set a timer, maybe 5-15 minutes and that’s all time I’ll spend in that area or working on a specific thing. It’s nice to know I don’t have to keep going until I run out of energy or things to do, because there seems to always be things to do. Keeping a timer, keeps me moving, so I’m not stuck in one area, neglecting everything else that needs to be done.

12. Take a Break.

We are created to need rest. It’s important to remember this and that it’s okay for some things to go undone. Take a small break here and there, to give yourself the rest that you need, so that you’re not burnt out by the end of the day. Since we are all different people, the amount of rest you need is going to differ, but I suggest at least 10-15 minutes, as needed. There may be days where you need more or less. Listen to your body and don’t over do it, if you push yourself too hard one day, you may lack the motivation needed for the next day.

13. Keep Your Supplies Handy.

Make up a little basket or tote, you can keep with you as you move from room to room with all of the basic things you will need for that day’s work, all-purpose spray, rags, a duster, and sponges. This will help keep everything in one place, so you’re not searching for it and prevent you from making multiple trips to the cleaning cabinet.

14. Take Before and After Pictures.

You should appreciate the time and effort that you put into your housework! Take before and after pics, even if you don’t keep them, to show yourself how good of a job you did.

15. Put on Cozy Lighting.

Dim the lights, put on some fairy lights and small lamps and make cleaning feel….well romantic! This is something I like to do after I’m done in that room, so I can clearly see what I’m doing first, but when I can, I like to make the atmosphere of the room feel cozier using lights.

16. Make a Checklist.

I’m a big fan checklist! Write down what it is you want you want to get done, in that room or in the day and make sure to cross off each thing that you’ve completed. It can be so satisfying to mark something complete and whatever you don’t get done, will be there for next time.

I have a Quick Cleaning Checklist in this post, if you need some inspiration!

17. Have Someone Help You.

Asking for help isn’t something to be ashamed of and having someone with you can help motivate you. Ask your spouse, family member or friend to help you tackle something that’s daunting and invite them for dinner as a thank you. Offer to return the favor and allow this to build your relationship with that person.

18. Put on a Movie or TV Show.

As much as I like to listen to something while cleaning, having something to watch while I fold a mountain of laundry makes that task much more enjoyable. Put on whatever makes you happy that you can immerse yourself in while your hands are in autopilot.

19. Start with What You Dread the Most.

For me, dishes are my least favorite thing to do on this earth. Even though I have a dishwasher now, I still dread doing them! Get your most dreadful task done first, so that it’s out of the way, and you don’t have to spend all day waiting for this awful chore.

20. Space it Out.

Don’t try to get all of your heavy cleaning done in one or two days, spread it out over the week/month, to help prevent burn out, and to help keep your home clean all week long. This is wear that checklist and a schedule that works well for you will come in handy.

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And there you have it! 20 different things you can try to make housework a little less daunting and something you can actually enjoy doing. I know that I’ve found a few in researching this that I’m looking forward to trying out. Which one of these are you excited about implementing into your daily routines?

Do you have any other ways to like to make housework more enjoyable? Leave a comment below, I’m always looking for new ideas!