Living in a family is wonderful but comes with challenges, like getting everyone involved in cleaning. Here are seven strategies to help get your family in sync when it comes to cleaning.
1. Set Common Goals
Understanding what "clean" means to each family member is crucial. The idea is to get everyone on the same page about cleaning and what it means to them. This helps everyone understand the common vision and goals for a clean house. For instance, if one spouse is overly clean and the other is messy, it helps to understand each other's perspective. Then, you can find a middle ground that works for both.
2. Identify Most Important Areas (MIAs)
Focus on the areas that matter most to each family member. Figuring out your MIAs is essential. You can't clean the entire house all the time, but you can prioritize those areas that are really important to you. These are the spots that drive you crazy when they're messy but make you feel good when they're clean. Sit down with your family and talk about each member's MIAs. For example, in my house, the kitchen is an MIA for me, especially the sink, counter, and dishwasher. For my spouse, the bedroom is an MIA, particularly the bed and the floor. Knowing this helps us respect each other's needs and keep our MIAs tidy.
3. Assign Preferred Tasks
Assign cleaning tasks based on preferences. There's no point in assigning a task to someone if it makes their blood boil. When having this conversation, figure out if there's any task that someone in the household likes doing or at least doesn't mind doing. For example, I hate vacuuming, so I avoid it unless necessary. On the other hand, I love cleaning the kitchen, so I handle that. My spouse doesn't have to worry about it because I enjoy doing it.
4. Address Challenging Areas
Discuss any difficult or time-consuming tasks openly. This is the time to air out your dirty laundry with your family. Be honest about what tasks are frustrating or overly time-consuming. If you agree to do something that's not feasible, it won't lead to anything positive. Talk through it and consider creative solutions like drawing tasks from a hat to ensure fairness. The point is, it has to feel fair and everyone needs to be on board.
5. Adjust Routines
Be flexible and adjust your cleaning routine as needed. A family cleaning routine is a living, breathing thing. It will evolve over time. Some tasks might become too painful or time-consuming for someone to handle, so be ready to tweak the routine. Customize it, test it out, and adjust as necessary. There's no one-size-fits-all answer. This is how you create a cleaning routine that works for everyone and keeps the household happy and productive.
6. Consider Timing
Set realistic cleaning goals based on your schedule. Timing is critical when it comes to cleaning. We're all busy and probably don't have hours to dedicate to cleaning each week. Start small. If you can manage ten minutes of cleaning a week, you're making progress. Be realistic about the time you have available and when you can clean. Whether it's late at night, early in the morning, or on weekends, find what works for your family. Avoid unrealistic expectations or an all-or-nothing mentality to prevent feeling like a failure before you even start. Set the bar low, meet that baseline, and gradually increase your efforts.
7. Plan Larger Jobs
Have a family "cleaning meeting" to schedule larger tasks like spring cleaning or appliance maintenance. This gives everyone a chance to look ahead and plan out significant cleaning tasks. For example, you might schedule spring cleaning, appliance cleaning, or garage organization. Without a plan, these tasks won't get done because no one feels accountable. By having a planning meeting, you can book dates, assign tasks, and ensure everyone knows their responsibilities.
Conclusion
Getting your family to clean requires clear communication, realistic expectations, and flexibility. By setting common goals, identifying MIAs, assigning preferred tasks, addressing challenging areas, adjusting routines, considering timing, and planning larger jobs, you can create a cleaning routine that works for everyone.
With these strategies, you'll transform cleaning into a shared family responsibility, making your home a cleaner and happier place. Remember, the key is to work together, support each other, and stay adaptable.
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