How do you stay focused while cleaning your home?

Question

I seem to have trouble focusing on just one room at a time. For instance, I'll have laundry to put in the kitchen so when I go in there, I may start emptying the dishwasher or take out the trash. Then, on my way back in the house, I'll see that the garden needs the weeds pulled out, so I'll start that.

I feel like a character in the "If you give a mouse a cookie" book!!

So, how do you stay on task? Any tricks or tips would help!!

Answer 1

Everyone seems to start their mornings in the kitchen, so after breakfast, let that be the first room you clean.

Then, go and straighten up the bedrooms (make beds, put random things away)

Then work on the family room.

Let laundry be the last thing you do so that while putting things away, there will be no distractions!

Answer 2

Actually, that is the exact same thing I do. That's the way my grandma always cleaned. It's hard because you never feel like you get anything done, but if you work long enough, you will finish EVERYTHING not just one room, so I think it is actually better.

But my mom just will focus on one thing. She will start say in the bathroom, and take a basket with her. if there is anything that doesn't go in there, she will put it in the basket. Then move to the bedroom, etc. Once you go into the room, you empty the objects from the basket that go in there, until you have done every room and emptied the basket.

Another thing I try to do, is have my kids help (or husband) and I stay in the room, and tell them to take the objects to another room so i don't get distracted.

One more thing... you can make sure that when you start in a room say the kitchen, and you take something to your bedroom, if you see something that goes in the kitchen then take it, but if not, leave everything else. Just resist the temptation.

Answer 3

i used to have that problem. i would be doing 12 things at once. now, i focus on one room at a time. when i wake up in the morning, i'll make the bed, gather up any dirty clothes that might be in the floor, go through my bathroom, get those clothes, and take them to my laundry room. i'll put on a load of clothes, and when i come out, im in my kitchen. i'll do the dishes, sweep, clean off the counters and anything else that needs to be done. then, i'll work on my living room b/c its conncected to my kitchen. then im pretty much done for the day. when i clean, i start with where my feet hit the ground, then work my way to my nice comfy seat on my couch :)