5 Easy Tricks to Make Cleaning More Fun (Yes, Really!)

Let’s be honest for a sec: cleaning is rarely anyone’s favorite pastime. It’s just one of those things we have to do if we want to live in a halfway decent space that doesn’t smell like mystery leftovers. But what if I told you there are actually a few easy (and dare I say, fun?) ways to trick yourself into getting the job done without completely hating your life? Yes, Ways to making cleaning more fun (cause it’s already kinda fun, right?).

Believe it or not, cleaning doesn’t have to feel like punishment. The key is distraction. If you can find a way to pair cleaning with something you actually enjoy, it becomes way more tolerable. Almost pleasant. Almost.

1. Phone a Friend

You know that friend you’ve been meaning to call for weeks? This is your chance. Put them on speaker or pop in some wireless earbuds and catch up while you clean. You’ll be amazed how fast the time flies when you’re chatting away and not obsessing over the streaks on the bathroom mirror.

You can even make it a regular thing. Schedule a weekly “clean & chat” with your sister or college roommate. She cleans her place, you clean yours, and you both get the bonus of quality time.

2. Make it a Game

This one is surprisingly effective. Set a timer and turn your cleaning into a race. Challenge yourself to clean the kitchen in ten minutes or fold laundry before your tea finishes steeping. It sounds silly, but it works.

You can even come up with silly little “levels” like you’re in a cleaning video game. If you wipe all the counters and sweep the floor in under 15 minutes, you “level up” to vacuuming or dusting. Reward yourself with a treat at the end (we’ll get to that in a minute).

3. Knock It Out First Thing

There was a time in my life when I started doing a few quick cleaning chores right after waking up. I was still half-asleep, which meant I didn’t fully register the fact that I was doing chores at all. And you know what? It worked. I felt accomplished before 9 AM, and my house didn’t fall into complete chaos.

I’m not talking about scrubbing baseboards or deep-cleaning the fridge here. Just a few simple things like making the bed, wiping down the bathroom sink, or unloading the dishwasher. Sometimes I grab one of my favorite tools to make those quick jobs even easier. Little wins that add up fast.

4. Put Something Fun in Your Ears

Cleaning in silence is… not ideal. Your brain starts thinking about how much you hate cleaning, and it just spirals. So don’t do it in silence.

Instead, pop in a good podcast or queue up your favorite playlist. Audiobooks and funny YouTube videos (just the audio!) work great too. Personally, I love putting on something lighthearted or inspiring. It keeps my mood up while I’m elbow-deep in dishwater.

5. Bribe Yourself a Little

Rewards aren’t just for kids. If you’re dreading a task, try setting a little carrot at the end of the stick. Maybe you can’t have your afternoon tea until you’ve tidied the living room. Or you don’t get to scroll Instagram until the laundry’s folded.

It doesn’t have to be big or fancy. Just something you genuinely enjoy and look forward to. This little trick turns cleaning into a means to an end instead of just a soul-sucking time-suck.

Don’t Let the Mess Win

One of the biggest problems with cleaning is that we tend to put it off until things are way worse than they should be. And then we’re overwhelmed. So we put it off even more. It becomes a vicious cycle.

The solution? Don’t wait until it’s terrible. Most chores only take a few minutes if you keep up with them. So instead of letting your kitchen turn into a health hazard, just take 10 minutes a day to stay ahead of the mess. Future you will thank you.

Bonus Tip: Use a Cleaning Planner That Works for You

If you’re like me and your brain thrives on checklists and visual reminders, then my Editable Cleaning Planner is your new best friend. It comes with a printable cleaning schedule, daily and weekly checklists, and even a customizable Canva template so you can tweak it to fit your exact needs.

Having a plan laid out in front of you (especially one that looks cute and is easy to use) can make all the difference. It helps you break down big cleaning tasks into bite-sized, manageable pieces, and it takes all the guesswork out of the process.

No more wondering, “What should I clean today?” You just look at the list, do the thing, and check it off. So satisfying.

If you want to get your hands on the Editable Cleaning Planner and actually feel on top of your housework without losing your mind, check it out here.

Final Thoughts

Tricking yourself into cleaning might sound a little goofy, but if it helps you get things done without the drama, who cares? You don’t need a spotless house or a perfect routine. You just need a few little strategies to make cleaning feel less like a burden.

Whether you’re calling a friend, racing the clock, or rewarding yourself with a cupcake afterward, these simple tricks can help you actually follow through without the sighing and dragging of feet.

Now I want to hear from you. What do you do to make cleaning more fun? What’s your go-to cleaning hack? Do you listen to true crime podcasts while scrubbing your bathtub? Do you reward yourself with chocolate chips between loads of laundry? Tell me your best cleaning bribes in the comments!

And if you need help staying on track, don’t forget to grab the Editable Cleaning Planner. You might just end up liking your cleaning routine after all. (Well, almost.)

Forest Rose

Forest Rose is a God Loving, Blessed Wife, &  Mama to 3 girls. She’s passionate about lifting moms out of the trenches that are discouraged, overwhelmed, or feeling alone or isolated. Her hope is to point them to Christ and equip them to rise up with a newfound hope and joy within, that He alone can provide. Besides blogging, she also loves to create printables!