The Procrastinator’s Ultimate Cleaning Rundown
Be productive while you procrastinate with our cleaning checklist for every room of the house
When faced with a boring, time-consuming task, are you the type of person who jumps straight into things or do you go searching for any other activity – anything at all – to do instead?
I fall into the latter category, and after years of practice, consider myself an expert procrastinator. However, while some people avoid certain jobs and spend their time indulging in more pleasurable pastimes like reading a book or going shopping (only for groceries, of course), I prefer cleaning. Why? It’s calming, restores order in my home and is productive, which means it’s hard to feel guilty when something so positive comes out of putting off a job I find particularly painful.
So here’s how to make cleaning your new procrastination method of choice. Use this checklist as a guide when you need a break midway through or before beginning a dreaded task. You don’t need to complete everything in one session – this mini cleaning marathon will keep you occupied for as little or as long as you want.
I fall into the latter category, and after years of practice, consider myself an expert procrastinator. However, while some people avoid certain jobs and spend their time indulging in more pleasurable pastimes like reading a book or going shopping (only for groceries, of course), I prefer cleaning. Why? It’s calming, restores order in my home and is productive, which means it’s hard to feel guilty when something so positive comes out of putting off a job I find particularly painful.
So here’s how to make cleaning your new procrastination method of choice. Use this checklist as a guide when you need a break midway through or before beginning a dreaded task. You don’t need to complete everything in one session – this mini cleaning marathon will keep you occupied for as little or as long as you want.
In the living room
Start by picking up items – such as old newspapers, coffee mugs, bills and the odd piece of clothing – that are left lying around the room. Put them away in their proper places so you’re not tempted to leave them piled up somewhere.
Next, dust solid surfaces such as coffee tables and bookcases, as well as decor including decorative lamps and picture frames, then polish them to remove any finger marks, if necessary. Don’t forget to straighten things up as you move around the room, brush down your sofa and armchairs, and plump up any scatter cushions.
Start by picking up items – such as old newspapers, coffee mugs, bills and the odd piece of clothing – that are left lying around the room. Put them away in their proper places so you’re not tempted to leave them piled up somewhere.
Next, dust solid surfaces such as coffee tables and bookcases, as well as decor including decorative lamps and picture frames, then polish them to remove any finger marks, if necessary. Don’t forget to straighten things up as you move around the room, brush down your sofa and armchairs, and plump up any scatter cushions.
In the bedroom
Pick up stray clothing off your floor or thrown over furniture, and put the items in your wardrobe, drawers, or in the laundry for washing. Put away any shoes and accessories that are lying around, too.
Find a home for any half-read books, magazines and other items littered across your bedside table, as well as anything that doesn’t belong on top of your dresser or tallboy. Dust these surfaces as you go. Change your sheets and, if you’re feeling like a bit of a change, replace your quilt cover with a new one. Finally, vacuum, sweep or mop your floors – and don’t forget to clean under your bed and other furniture in the room.
Pick up stray clothing off your floor or thrown over furniture, and put the items in your wardrobe, drawers, or in the laundry for washing. Put away any shoes and accessories that are lying around, too.
Find a home for any half-read books, magazines and other items littered across your bedside table, as well as anything that doesn’t belong on top of your dresser or tallboy. Dust these surfaces as you go. Change your sheets and, if you’re feeling like a bit of a change, replace your quilt cover with a new one. Finally, vacuum, sweep or mop your floors – and don’t forget to clean under your bed and other furniture in the room.
In the bathroom
Like the kitchen, your bathroom probably gets a basic daily once-over, but when’s the last time it received a thorough cleaning?
Firstly, pick up wet towels, your floor mat and hand towel, and throw them in the wash. Remove items from your medicine cabinet or under-sink storage, and toss anything that has expired or seen better days. Wipe down the shelves and drawer bases, then put everything away – items you use regularly should be placed in prime position. Clean the vanity, tapware and any canisters or holders on display.
Next, clean the shower, bath and toilet. Finish by mopping the floor tiles, and wiping over the shower screen and mirror until they shine.
Like the kitchen, your bathroom probably gets a basic daily once-over, but when’s the last time it received a thorough cleaning?
Firstly, pick up wet towels, your floor mat and hand towel, and throw them in the wash. Remove items from your medicine cabinet or under-sink storage, and toss anything that has expired or seen better days. Wipe down the shelves and drawer bases, then put everything away – items you use regularly should be placed in prime position. Clean the vanity, tapware and any canisters or holders on display.
Next, clean the shower, bath and toilet. Finish by mopping the floor tiles, and wiping over the shower screen and mirror until they shine.
In the closet
It may not be spring, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give your wardrobe area a mid-season clean-out. Remove every item of clothing and organise it into two piles: keep and cull. Place items you no longer want in a bag to donate.
Next, wipe down the walls of your wardrobe and the insides of drawers and shelves to get rid of dust and musty smells that may be lingering. Let it all air for a while, then organise your clothes (by colour, occasion, season or type) and return them to their allotted spaces. Hang items such as jackets, dresses, skirts, dress pants and delicates, while everyday pieces and clothing made from more forgiving fabrics can be folded and stowed in drawers or on shelves.
It may not be spring, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give your wardrobe area a mid-season clean-out. Remove every item of clothing and organise it into two piles: keep and cull. Place items you no longer want in a bag to donate.
Next, wipe down the walls of your wardrobe and the insides of drawers and shelves to get rid of dust and musty smells that may be lingering. Let it all air for a while, then organise your clothes (by colour, occasion, season or type) and return them to their allotted spaces. Hang items such as jackets, dresses, skirts, dress pants and delicates, while everyday pieces and clothing made from more forgiving fabrics can be folded and stowed in drawers or on shelves.
In the home office
Can you see your computer keyboard, or is it hiding beneath a pile of bills, notes and other paperwork? Gather all the papers littering your desk and organise them into four piles: personal mail, bills, other important paperwork and junk. Action what you can, file papers you need to keep and recycle the rest.
Next, tidy up the space so all that remains on your desk are office essentials such as your computer, stationery and your diary, as well as a few decorative items to personalise your workspace. Wipe down your desk, keyboard and computer screen – don’t forget to dust your bookcase and other solid surfaces while you’re at it. No home office cleaning session is complete if you don’t declutter your computer desktop and other areas on your hard drive, too.
Can you see your computer keyboard, or is it hiding beneath a pile of bills, notes and other paperwork? Gather all the papers littering your desk and organise them into four piles: personal mail, bills, other important paperwork and junk. Action what you can, file papers you need to keep and recycle the rest.
Next, tidy up the space so all that remains on your desk are office essentials such as your computer, stationery and your diary, as well as a few decorative items to personalise your workspace. Wipe down your desk, keyboard and computer screen – don’t forget to dust your bookcase and other solid surfaces while you’re at it. No home office cleaning session is complete if you don’t declutter your computer desktop and other areas on your hard drive, too.
In the laundry
Take everything out from under your laundry sink and any cupboards or drawers in the room. Wipe out the shelves and drawer bases, then let them air. Go through all of the chemicals, cleaning supplies and other goods lying around – throw out any that are old or rarely used, then return everything you’ve decided to keep to its place. Chemicals and other hazardous items should be safely stowed where kids can’t reach them. Wipe around the sink and mop the floors to finish.
Take everything out from under your laundry sink and any cupboards or drawers in the room. Wipe out the shelves and drawer bases, then let them air. Go through all of the chemicals, cleaning supplies and other goods lying around – throw out any that are old or rarely used, then return everything you’ve decided to keep to its place. Chemicals and other hazardous items should be safely stowed where kids can’t reach them. Wipe around the sink and mop the floors to finish.
In hallways and spare spaces
Is your front entrance cluttered with shoes, bags, umbrellas, keys, mail and other items you usually dump as soon as you walk in the door? Put everything away so the space is free of clutter – you don’t want to make a bad first impression when visitors show up at your door.
If you’ve ticked everything else off your list and want to avoid a certain task for a little longer, tackle larger cleaning jobs such as scrubbing your windows and window sills, wiping over walls, dusting ceiling fans and vacuuming or mopping flooring you haven’t already cleaned.
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Is your front entrance cluttered with shoes, bags, umbrellas, keys, mail and other items you usually dump as soon as you walk in the door? Put everything away so the space is free of clutter – you don’t want to make a bad first impression when visitors show up at your door.
If you’ve ticked everything else off your list and want to avoid a certain task for a little longer, tackle larger cleaning jobs such as scrubbing your windows and window sills, wiping over walls, dusting ceiling fans and vacuuming or mopping flooring you haven’t already cleaned.
MORE
Unsung Spring-Cleaning Jobs Your May Not Have Thought of
How to Design a Self-Cleaning Bathroom (Well, Almost!)
Greening Your Home: The Best Natural Products to Clean Your House With
You might wipe over your benches and cooktop, and wash the dishes after every meal, but that doesn’t mean your kitchen can’t do with a good once over every once in a while, which makes it the perfect project to tackle when you’re in the mood to procrastinate.
Start by cleaning out your pantry and fridge: pull everything out, wipe over the shelves and bin anything that’s past its use-by date or looks and smells funky.
Once you’re ready, put everything back and re-organise the shelves – place items you frequently use in spots that are easily accessible, and group like items together. Wipe over all surfaces, including the benchtop, splashback and kickboards, as well as inside your oven and microwave. Finally, mop the floor and you’re done!