How to Make Cleaning Feel Less Overwhelming: The 15-Minute Tidy!

Sometimes, cleaning feels really overwhelming. For me, it usually happens when my kitchen, dining room, and living room are all messy at once. I used to just stand there, unsure where to start, feeling completely overwhelmed. A couple of years ago, I saw a TikTok (I wish I could remember the creator’s name!) suggesting to set a 15-minute timer every evening and just start cleaning.  Here are the steps I follow to make a 15-Minute Tidy successful. It’s worked amazingly for me, and I hope it works for you too!

1. Start Small

Pick one room to focus on! You don’t have to tackle every room at once. Fifteen minutes goes a long way when you focus on just one space. Plus, having even one clean room feels like a huge win!

2. Set your Timer

Setting a timer keeps me focused and turns cleaning into a little mini challenge. I always set mine to 15 minutes! Even on busy days, or when I just want to curl up and do nothing, I can usually manage that short block of time.

3. Make it Fun

Blast some music or listen to your favorite podcast! I have a “hype cleaning” playlist that I always put on when I am cleaning my home. I usually end up dancing around while I tidy, but the cleaning actually gets done and I get to have fun in the process! ♥

4. Grab a Bin or Basket

The idea is simple: toss anything that doesn’t belong in the room you’re cleaning into a bin! Don’t worry about sorting it right now, you can always deal with it later.

Tip: I usually use a couple bins so I can separate the items for different rooms. When I am done with the room I am cleaning, I take each bin to its designated room. That way, everything is ready for the next time I clean.

5. Clear the Surfaces

Clutter tends to pile up on counters, tables, and other flat surfaces. It is usually the clutter that feels the most overwhelming, so clearing off surfaces provides instant visual relief. This is where the bins mentioned above come in handy. I also wipe any crumbs or dust straight onto the floor. No need trying to wipe them up neatly when the floors still need to be done.

Tip:If you’re cleaning the kitchen and don’t have a dishwasher, just pile the dirty dishes on one section of the counter like I do. I don’t like spending my 15 minutes washing them, so I usually tackle that the next time I’m cooking.

6. Quick Vacuum or Sweep

Once the surfaces are cleaned off, a quick sweep or vacuum instantly changes the vibe of the room! It doesn’t need to be perfect, since you’re just doing a 15-minute tidy.

7. Finishing Touch

Fluff some pillows, light a candle, or open a window for some fresh air! These little touches at the end of your 15 minutes really adds a sense of calm!

Important to Remember ♥

The goal of the 15-Minute Tidy is to help cleaning feel a little less overwhelming. Focus on progress, not perfection. Fifteen minutes might not sound like much, but even a short burst of tidying can make a messy space feel less overwhelming. Sometimes I get so into the zone that I keep cleaning after the timer goes off, and other times I stop right on time. Either way, every little bit of improvement counts, and it all adds up over time ♥ If it still feels really overwhelming, we totally understand. You don’t have to do it alone. Whenever you’re ready, we’d be happy to help ♥ Just fill out our form for a free quote and we can chat about what you need. FREE QUOTE