Housework is an ongoing necessity that can take valuable time away from other things. But an untidy, unclean house can also have an impact on us emotionally. So spending a little time on cleaning can actually make us more productive than the time we ‘waste’.

If housework doesn’t bring you joy, and you can afford it, then there is nothing wrong with getting a cleaner. You can then give them the joy and a job and spend your time on other things that are more important to you.

However for most of us it isn’t possible, so here is my 15-minute method! I found if it was any more time then I wouldn’t do it and then I would end up spending 2-3 hours in a row in desperation before people came over!

Adapt the table below to work for you.

(This is on top of the normal daily tidying up, laundry, washing up etc.)

1. On Monday to Thursday: Set a clock for 15 minutes and do as much returning items to rightful homes, dusting, wiping, and hovering/mopping as the time allows in the rooms allocated to that day (see table below). Stop.
2. On Friday (change day to suit you) do 2 x 15 minute chunks throughout the day or all in one go if you can. and go slightly more in depth in that room if it needs it (for example shaking cushions, washing mats or emptying crumbs from toaster), if it doesn’t – stop!
3. On weekends (one or two days, it’s up to you) spend your 15 minutes on some tasks that need doing less regularly. Stop!

Some days you will feel there is more that needs to be done but if you stop and restrict it to 15 minutes each time (apart from Focus Fridays) then you are more likely to keep it up. Over time, 15 minutes will be enough to keep everything ticking over. (Weekend Whizz may sometimes need a few more minutes to finish a task that you can’t leave part-way like sheet changing!)

15-Minute Method Example

On top of normal daily clearing up, washing up etc. for each room: return items to their rightful homes, dust, wipe, and hover/mop.

You can download a blank table here.

As part of the Healthy, Whole & Free Course you have access to our members only ‘Success Sessions’ where we knuckle down for an hour each week to tackle any practical challenges, like fitting in the houseworkor decluttering! Come and join us, next course starts 26^th September. You can find out more and sign up here.