Cleaning Challenge

Here’s the thing, I don’t like cleaning my house. I like de-cluttering it and decorating it, but cleaning is for the birds. The issue is that when my house is messy that it drives me crazy. So either my husband and I need to clean it or I need to pay someone to do it. #dreamscenerio #oneday

the best cleaning advice I’ve ever received

About a month ago I confessed to my loathing of cleaning on Instagram and one person (Linda) replied “You dread it because you wait too long. Give yourself 15 minutes a day and stay focused. You will be surprised by how much you get done.” Well, if that isn’t the best cleaning advice I’ve ever received, I don’t know what is!

why clean?

So why should I clean my house? If I’m being perfectly honest, right now I do it when it makes me crazy and when I’m taking pictures- ha! But I do feel happier and calmer when my house is clean. I read some studies about clean and organized homes and wanted to share the highlights:

clutter can lead to feeling depressed and fatigued

A 2010 study published in the scientific journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin used linguistic analysis software to measure the way 60 individuals discussed their homes. Women who described their living spaces as “cluttered” or full of “unfinished projects” were more likely to be depressed and fatigued than women who described their homes as “restful” and “restorative.” The researchers also found that women with cluttered homes expressed higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

 clean house benefit- better sleep

A survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that people who make their beds every morning are 19 percent more likely to report regularly getting a good night’s sleep. People who were surveyed also reported benefits from having clean sheets — specifically, 75 percent of people said they get a better night’s rest when their sheets are freshly cleaned because they feel more comfortable.

 clean house benefit- healthy and active

A study led by associate professor NiCole R. Keith, Ph.D., research scientist and professor at Indiana University, found that people with clean houses are healthier than people with messy houses. Keith and her colleagues tracked the physical health of 998 African Americans between the ages of 49 and 65, a demographic known to be at an increased risk for heart disease. Participants who kept their homes clean were healthier and more active than those who didn’t. In fact, house cleanliness was even more of a predictor for physical health than neighborhood walkability.

Ok, ok so having a clean house is good for you. Now for a plan for getting it clean as painlessly as possible. Enter- the Project Clean 15! This is a project I am starting with YOU to start cleaning 6 days a week, 15 minutes a day. We are seeing if cleaning consistently can help us feel happier, healthier, and more motivated. To join, just clean your house with me 6 days a week for a month. To help you, I have some free printables:

Free printables!

What you’ll receive is a cleaning calendar for August so you can cross each day you complete and a cleaning schedule with more details on what to clean during those 15 minutes. UPDATE: this challenge was so popular, that I have added a calendar that is customizable for every month! To receive your printables, just enter your email below and they will be sent right to your email address:

#projectclean15

If you join along, I’d love to see your progress! Just use the tag #projectclean15!

cleaning supplies

I wanted to share with you the Cleaning supplies I’ve been using and loving. The brand is Good Natured and they are all available from Amazon. Here’s what sets them apart- they are all natural with no harsh chemicals. They are made in Maine by a mom who whats to be kind to the environment. Plus they clean really well.

Anyway, thanks for joining me! Here’s to a month of a clean house!