“That’s right – cleaning is just as good for your fitness! For a start, cleaning counts as exercise”
“By keeping on top of it all prevents it all building up and you then becoming overwhelmed with the amount of cleaning you now have to do”
“Start small, decluttering even something as simple as one kitchen cupboard or bedroom drawer a day”
Facts/stats
A dirty or cluttered home promotes stress and anxiety which in turn promote depression and inability to sleep
(Glimmr)
Cleaning your house or flat could see you burning 3,976 calories a month
(Wren Kitchens)
More than 1.8 MILLION bacteria linked to respiratory infections could be lurking in your fridge
(Daily Mail)
Growing up as a child your parents will have nagged you, at some stage or another, to tidy up your room; perhaps also giving you a regular chore list to complete throughout the week, from taking out the rubbish to doing the dishes. At the time you probably thought life was oh-so unfair, but looking back now it’s easy to understand that they were, in fact, helping you learn important life skills you’d need as an adult. Cleaning is something the majority of us don’t like doing, especially when you realise we spend more than 156 hours a year doing it! But the reasons for keeping your house clean – besides from having a tidy home – far outweigh that sinking feeling we get when we realise it’s time to get cracking. Read on for tips and tricks for keeping your home spic and span. This time the gloves are on, not off!
CLEANING IS GOOD FOR THE MIND
We’ve all heard of the phrase ‘tidy house, tidy mind’, with keeping your house in order offering a huge boost for your mood and how you feel overall. How? The physical act of cleaning releases endorphins to help manage stress, as well as improving your focus, and even regulating your emotions. In fact, a study showed that after cleaning 91% of participants reported a positive impact on their wellbeing, while 72% felt more relaxed. It’s even good for your brain health, helping prevent dementia, improve your memory and heightening your ability to plan and problem solve. Well, if that doesn’t have you reaching for your mop and bucket then we don’t know what will.
CLEANING IS GOOD FOR THE BODY
That’s right – cleaning is just as good for your fitness! For a start, cleaning counts as exercise, with the NHS recommending adults up to the age of 64 should do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity, a week. With cleaning falling into the moderate range, that means you need to do around two and a half hours a week – that’s less than 30 minutes a day! It’s also great for strengthening muscles, improving balance and stamina and making you less likely to take a tumble, plus it burns calories, too – with deep cleaning your kitchen burning more energy than ballroom dancing! And that’s before you consider the benefit to your respiratory system, with dust and mould flaring up asthma or allergies. By keeping your home clean it’ll help minimise respiratory issues, letting you breathe easier and even leading to you getting a better night’s sleep.
TOP CLEANING TIPS
Ready to take on cleaning your house on a regular basis? The following tips are here to help:
DON’T PUT THINGS OFF
You’re tired and ready to hit the hay, but the dirty dishes are still in the sink and the washing machine’s a few minutes from finishing its cycle. As tempting as it is to leave it until the morning, studies have shown that going to bed knowing these chores are done actually results in you falling asleep faster. Plus, by keeping on top of it all prevents it all building up and you then becoming overwhelmed with the amount of cleaning you now have to do.
BAG IT OR BIN IT
Decluttering is another surefire way to make cleaning your house a whole lot easier, promoting a feeling of relaxation and calmness – not to mention the amount of additional space you’ll have once finished! It can be hard letting go of possessions you’ve had for a number of years, but now’s the time to be strict with yourself. Start small, decluttering even something as simple as one kitchen cupboard or bedroom drawer a day. If you haven’t used it in over six months and it’s neither seasonal or holds no sentimental value then you really no longer need it, so bag it up for a charity shop or take it to your nearest recycling centre.
DON’T GO OTT
Just as you shouldn’t decide to declutter your house in one massive swoop, neither should you take on the challenge of deep cleaning your entire house all at once, to prevent it from becoming overwhelming. Instead, it’s much better to do it one room at a time, remembering to start at the top and work your way down to avoid dust and mess falling on to an area you’ve already cleaned. Don’t feel the need you have to clean it 100% all at once either, especially if you’re feeling tired or getting irritated by doing it. Set a timer for a set period of time and then when it goes off stop and think if you’re happy enough to carry on. Because there’s nothing worse than cleaning when you’re feeling miserable by the thought of it all.
DON’T GO IT ALONE
If you’ve got a family living at home, then now’s the time to get them involved – they live there too and are just as responsible for the inevitable dust and dirt that can all too soon build up. Set up a household chore list and make sure everyone has set tasks to complete each day. Younger kids should most certainly be in on the equation, too – provided what you’ve asked them to do is safe and within their capability – as doing chores builds up their self-reliance, as well as teaching them to be empathic and responsive to other’s needs. Never go it alone and let others simply sit by and watch, as you’ll only end up feeling bitter that you’re the one doing all the work. If you need help, ask!
TOOL UP
Duster well past its prime – and mop seen much better days? Now’s the time to make sure you’ve got the right tools for the job, especially when you realise that an old mop can harbour more than 2,000 bacteria per square inch. Swap old cloth dusters for microfibre cloths which trap dirt and dust more efficiently, and replace your toilet brush at least every six months to stop germs on it thriving in the warmth of your bathroom. Empty your vacuum cleaner on a regular basis to make sure it is at its most effective, and invest in a multi-purpose anti bac spray that can be used on kitchen surfaces, door handles and more.
REMEMBER HIDDEN NASTIES
Speaking of door handles – how often do you clean yours? Areas like this are often overlooked but really shouldn’t be, especially when you consider that a bathroom door handle has more than eight times the amount of bacteria on it than your toilet seat! With this in mind now’s the time to do a proper tick list of areas you often fail to keep in order but really should. Clean out your food cupboards and bin anything past its sell by date, and give the inside of your bread bin an anti bac spray to eliminate germs that might be lurking inside. Your cutlery drawer should also be on your to do list – and don’t forget about your fridge! You may think that’s an unlikely place for bacteria to thrive, but it’s important to note that refrigeration only slows its growth and does not, in fact, stop it. And when you add to the fact that more than 1.8 million bacteria could be lurking inside, with these invisible microbes linked to respiratory and urinary infections, food poisoning and more, there’s never been a better time to get scrubbing. Now roll up those sleeves and remember; little and often is better than none at all!