As satisfying as a clean house feels, the process behind the scenes can often feel incredibly tedious. So why do some hint at finding cleaning pleasurable? There is an idea that cleaning can be enjoyable, but I've yet to find someone who loves the idea of tidying for hours. And I'm in good company, because Ally Love agrees.
The famous Peloton instructor recently partnered with Scotch-Brite to reshape how we approach cleaning. First on her agenda was to debunk the myth that cleaning is always enjoyable, but it might just make cleaning more fun (ever so slightly, at least).
'The biggest misconception is that people need to love cleaning, and that’s just not true! You can grow to love cleaning. Your feelings toward cleaning will evolve over time,' Ally says in an exclusive interview with Homes & Gardens.
'When I was a kid, I hated doing the dishes. I would bargain with my little sister: "I’ll do the laundry, I’ll sweep the floor – just please do the dishes!” I hated doing the dishes! But now, as an adult, doing the dishes is my number one favorite chore to do. It’s so simple and satisfying. I love cleaning the kitchen, and when it’s clean and organized, it just lights up my world.'
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According to Ally, the idea that we should try to clean our house in one day is also untrue. 'I’ve learned this one the hard way. While it is possible, it's just not as realistic as it seems,' she says.
Most cleaning experts recommend focusing on one space a day or one space at a time. That approach not only makes things more manageable, but it also empowers you and allows you to see real progress. You even start to find little moments of joy, simply because you’ve completed a task. It’s kind of like making a to-do list – you want to cross things off.'
While it's not always possible to space out a quick clean over a few days, Ally recommends taking one week and ticking off your jobs slowly. If you're looking for cleaning habits to quit for a happier, easier life, this is the perfect starting point.
'Trying to tackle the whole house in one day usually doesn’t happen, because our energy naturally dips in the afternoon, and life gets in the way – family, work, distractions. Spread it out over the week. Cross it off as you go. It’s so much more therapeutic, doable, and ultimately rewarding,' Ally says. This might just reshape how we approach cleaning, for good.
For more information on Ally's The Brite Side of Clean campaign, National Shine Brite Day, and Scotch-Brite products, visit the Scotch-Brite website here.
