It might not seem like it, but as I've found out, 25 minutes is more than enough time to make a real dent on any to-do list, whether it's cleaning, tidying, or decluttering, especially when paired with five-minute breaks.
This Pomodoro Technique, named after the Italian word for tomato, was created by the author Francesco Cirillo, who used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer to track his work intervals to maximise productivity without burning out.
I swore by this method when studying at school, and for both my undergraduate and Master's degrees, and I've since employed it as one of the cleaning tips I use at home, too. I recently tried it out to ace my spring sorting and cleaning – here's how I got on.
How I use the Pomodoro Technique
AT college, I would study for 25 minutes, followed by a five-minute break, and repeat four times. After 100 minutes of work, I would then take a longer break – approximately half an hour – to refresh my mind and reset for the next stint. This is exactly how I now use it in my home.
With the start of the new season, I wasn't sure where to start spring cleaning, even though I had already put together my spring cleaning checklist. Cleaning supplies? Check. Cleaning tools? Check. Motivation? Lacking.
That's when I remembered the old trusty Pomodoro Technique, and decided to try it to make a start, just for 25 minutes. Then, if I was in my groove, I vowed I would carry on. It was a little like the try-for-five method to banish procrastination, but more intense.
Unsurprisingly, I quickly found my mojo and began ticking chores off with ease, effortlessly tackling cleaning, tidying, and even a little decluttering I've been desperately putting off. In fact, I would even go so far as to say the Pomodoro Technique is my best and favorite way to get motivated to clean, and Chiana Dickson, content editor on Solved here at Homes & Gardens, agrees.
'Having the promise of a break in mind really helps me to focus on the task at hand,' she says. 'Ironically, writing about cleaning has made me a serial procrastinator, but the Pomodoro Technique really helps to shake off this setback and get started when I need to.'
With the thought of only a short 25-minute stretch ahead of me, followed by a well-deserved break, cleaning the bathroom suddenly didn't feel so daunting. Sure, it helped that I was taking my brand-new CleanTech Joseph Joseph kit for a spin, but even that wouldn't usually be enough to encourage me to wholeheartedly get stuck in. Within the 25 minutes, though, I was able to clean my shower, clean my tile floors, and even clean the grout in my floor tiles. And, just as I suspected, after a five-minute break, I was swiftly back and raring to go again.
Next on my list was vacuuming my bedroom carpet. Admittedly, I know how often I should vacuum carpet, but I usually put this off. However, in 25 minutes I had vacuumed under my furniture, under my rugs, and even under my bed – a somewhat mammoth task that involves removing all my underbed storage ideas, cleaning, and then replacing them. This time, the five-minute break definitely felt necessary, but I wasn't done yet.
I've been meaning to declutter and organize my purses for a while, and while they were out from under my bed, it felt like the perfect time. I know that purses aren't typically considered things to declutter in March or even things to declutter in April – but we're all entitled to a little straying from the usual path, aren't we? This did take longer than 25 minutes, but with a five-minute break to break it up, my purses were organized, and I was already planning whether to donate or sell the decluttered items. I then allowed myself a long break, and then actually decided that was enough for one day.
But, next time I need to change up my cleaning routine for the better or declutter my home, I know exactly which method I'll be turning too. After all, once you find something that works for you, why switch it up?
What to shop
This mechanical timer is perfect if you want to channel your inner Francesco Cirillo, but, if not, your phone or an online timer will work just as well!
This cleaning system really is a joy to use, with everything you need for a truly sparkling space, from dusting to scrubbing.
I love using plastic underbed storage boxes like this to keep my shoes, purses and other miscellaneous items organized and out of the way.
Another technique Chiana relies on when tackling her own to-do list is the 'last-things-first' cleaning method, which involves actually using cleaning chores to procrastinate other daily tasks. That certainly sounds like another one for me to try next.
