Take the Chore Out of Doing Chores

Chores. They’re like the laundry: never-ending and nobody’s favorite thing. But here’s a little secret, mom-to-mom—it doesn’t have to be that way! You can transform chores from dreaded drudgery into something almost fun. Imagine not minding them so much and actually spending less time on them. Intrigued? Read on…

1. Dance Like Nobody’s Watching (Because They Aren’t)

Why walk when you can dance? Turn up your favorite tunes and boogie down while dusting or vacuuming. A playlist filled with your favorite songs can turn a mop session into a cardio workout. Plus, you’re in your own home, where the only judge is your pet, and let’s face it, they’ve seen you do weirder things.

2. Let Your Leaf Blower Take the Brunt

As well as being an amazing tool to help you get rid of those fallen leaves on your lawn, the humble battery leaf blower can also be used to blast dust from your driveway, or even your living room if you’re brave – just remember to keep the windows open – and make dusting a faster, and dare I say more fun, chore than it has ever been before.

3. Go Robotic

These days, you can get robot vacuums and mops, and even window cleaners that take the sting out of regular chores. Why? Because you won’t actually have to do them! Just set your robotic friend off and let it handle the dirty work while you kick back and relax. It’s like having your own little army of helpers, making your home sparkle without you lifting a finger. How amazing is that?

4. Invent a Game

When there is something you need to do, but you really don’t want to, then it is never a bad idea to try and gamify the process. How do you do this? By making it into a challenge that you can beat. For example, you could set yourself a 5-minute timer and try to pair up all the freshly washed socks before it chimes, or you could see how many dishes you can wash in 60 seconds. Anything that makes it more fun and gives you something to aim for will work.

5. Multitask with a Movie

Tablets and smartphones are portable magic that let you bring your favorite sitcoms into the dreariest corners of domestic drudgery. Prop one up while you’re sorting the laundry or scrubbing the bath. Laughing at sitcoms while scrubbing pots? Yes, please!

6. Reward Thyself

Create a rewards system because nothing motivates like a little bribery. Finished folding all the laundry? That’s worth a cookie, at least. All the beds made? Definitely worth an episode of your latest series binge. You’re working hard, you deserve treats! moms don’t get paid lol, so pay yourself in little ways to pat yourself on the back. And when you have checked the box on a completed task there is nothing better than that feeling of accomplishment.

7. Outsource to the Smalls

If you have children, this is the perfect opportunity to teach responsibility, aka passing the baton. Make each chore a mini-mission for them, with rewards for jobs well done. They earn their pocket money, you get a cleaner house, and everyone learns something (like how many days in a row a child will wear the same socks to avoid laundry duty).

8. Tool Upgrade

Sometimes it’s not the task, it’s the tools. A new, fancy vacuum cleaner with all the bells and whistles can turn a dull sweep into a thrilling ride. It’s the domestic equivalent of getting a new smartphone. Who knew a vacuum could have so many settings?

9. Therapy Time

Did you know that many people find chores like washing the dishes or mowing the lawn to be meditative? You might not think the same, but if you change your attitude and use your chore time as meditative time where you can simply relax and be mindful, or maybe when you can let your brain wander and daydream or plan out ideas for that new novel in your head, then you will find it can be very therapeutic your time.

10. Scavenger Hunt

This one’s a bit of fun, but chores should be as much fun as we can make them, right? So, why not turn cleaning into a treasure hunt? Hide small treats or notes around the house in places that only get attention during a deep clean. Nothing motivates like the promise of finding a fiver in the winter coat pocket you swore you’d dry clean last year.

11. Spice It Up with a Little Competition

Turn chores into a competitive sport by challenging household members to ‘Chore Wars’. Create a leaderboard and assign points for different tasks: extra points for speed, thoroughness, or tackling the least desirable jobs like cleaning the toilet or taking out the trash. Offer weekly prizes for the winners—first pick of movie night, exemption from the next day’s dishes, or a special treat. Not only does this make chores fun, but it might just spark a bit of that competitive spirit that gets everyone moving faster!

12. The Mystery Handbag/Wallet Clean-Out

Chores aren’t just about the house, they extend to your personal clutter too. Make a game out of cleaning out your handbag, wallet, or backpack. Set a timer for 10 minutes and try to beat the clock. You’ll be surprised what you find—forgotten receipts, loose change, or maybe even that lipstick you thought you lost. It’s like a treasure hunt where you rediscover things you already own!

13. DIY Chore Kits

Create individual chore kits for different tasks around the house and set up a chore chart by age for your kids. Put together a gardening kit with gloves, a small trowel, and seeds – a bathroom kit with sponges, cleaners, and a fresh towel – or a car wash kit with sponges, soap, and wax. Now, add in a chore chart that’s customized by age, so each kid has tasks perfectly suited for them.

Having everything in one place not only saves time but makes the chore feel like a special project. Imagine the excitement when your child sees their name next to a fun, personalized kit! Trust me, a little customization can turn mundane tasks into something your kids might actually look forward to.

So, roll up those sleeves, get those chore kits ready, and watch as your kids dive into their new responsibilities with a little more enthusiasm!

14. Document the Before and After

Take a ‘before’ photo of a particularly messy area before you start cleaning and a glorious ‘after’ photo once you’re done. Sharing these on a family group chat or social media can be surprisingly satisfying. It not only gives a sense of accomplishment but also a visual reminder of your hard work. Plus, it’s great for a laugh and some mutual encouragement among friends and family.

Chores are an inevitable part of adult life, much like taxes and that mysterious missing sock from the laundry. But here’s the deal, mama- we can either dread them or make the best of them. With a few creative tweaks, a dash of fun, and maybe some robotic help, you can transform these daily tasks into something more bearable, maybe even enjoyable. After all, a little music, some friendly competition, and the satisfaction of a job well done can go a long way.

Remember, it’s all about perspective and finding what works for you and your family. So, roll up those sleeves, put on your favorite tunes, and dive into your chores with a new attitude. Who knows? You might even start looking forward to them (okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but you get the idea). 

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!