We have all been there – we sink into the sofa at the end of a long day, desperate to turn off, only for piles of clutter and dusty surfaces to pull at the edges of our mind. So, how do you relax when your house is a mess?
While it is easy enough to try to ignore the piles of laundry and messy corners, expert cleaners and organizers suggest that it is far more effective to tackle a few small tasks to soothe a racing mind and instantly tame a cluttered house.
Here, they share the five best low-lift tasks you can try to clean a house when feeling overwhelmed so you can finally fully relax.
How to relax when your house is a mess
1. Reset your cozy corner
Working on your immediate area can offer some restbite from household stress.
Before you attempt to relax in your cozy corner ideas, take the time to prep one immediate area for relaxation.
Sofia Martinez, cleaning expert and CEO of Sparkly Maid Austin, explains, ‘Instead of cleaning an entire living room, I recommend zoning in on your immediate space. Clear the coffee or side table next to you, fluff the pillow behind you, and fold the throw blanket in your lap or drape it on the couch.
'That little reset creates space for a deeper breath and tells your brain that this space is safe and calm again.’
Working on just your immediate area can help avoid tidying when you feel overwhelmed, especially if you are already teetering on the edge of feeling stressed. It's also a crucial way to clean with health challenges to avoid flares or crashes.
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2. Wipe down a frequently used area
If one area in particular is tugging at your mind, tackle it before attempting to relax.
The promise of immediate relaxation is often enough to hack your brain to make chores easier, so why not take advantage and quickly clean an area you use regularly, or cannot get out of your mind?
Sofia continues, ‘It may be your bathroom mirror, your laptop screen, or your stovetop – selecting just one “visual stressor” and giving it a quick wipe to help restore a sense of control without the expense of energy. The wipe may be a small action, but the mental clarity it restores can be great.’
We recommend opting for non-toxic cleaning products to boost wellness in your home. The EWG-approved Attitude all-purpose cleaning spray, available at Walmart, is perfect for this, especially when paired with a microfiber cloth (also from Walmart) to help collect dust and minimize waste.
3. Tackle your line of sight
Don't let clutter haunt your periphery.
Visual clutter is one of the many ways your home is making you tired. To help relax at home, Mabel Heitmeier, KonMari consultant, organizer, and founder of Spark Joy in MI, suggests, ‘Start with the “line of sight” clutter. Instead of starting with drawers, closets, or cabinets where items can hide behind closed doors, focus on counters, tabletops, and floor space.
'Clearing just these visible areas, especially what you see from where you sit and relax, can create an immediate sense of calm.’
When clearing visual clutter in a living room or in the bedroom, Mabel recommends, ‘Walk through your space with a laundry basket [we like the Joseph Joseph folding basket, from Wayfair, as it is easy to hide away between chores] or tote and ask yourself: What doesn’t belong in this room? Drop those items in the bin. Don’t worry about putting them away right now. You’ll be amazed how quickly a room can feel lighter and more intentional.’
4. Ventilate the room
Fresh air and natural light can make you feel more energized and pull you out of a slump.
Even something as simple as improving the ventilation in your home can be enough to help you relax.
Heidi Ganser Lang, professional home organizer and owner of Juniper Organizing, explains, ‘Natural light and air circulation do wonders for your mood and the energy in your space. Even in the cold winter months or on a hot summer day, cracking a window for just a few minutes can make a big difference. The fresh air helps clear your head and gives your space a little reset.
‘Many of my clients keep curtains closed because they feel overwhelmed or ashamed about the state of their home, but I promise – it's unlikely anyone is looking in your windows. Let the light and air in anyway; it’s a simple way to reclaim your space and feel a little more like yourself.’
Can’t open your windows or worry about allergens? Consider investing in one of the best air purifiers instead. The Shark NeverChange Air Purifier MAX, from Best Buy, for example, was rated 4.5 stars by our expert reviewers and promises long-lasting washable filters, anti-odor tech, and up to 1,400 sq. ft. coverage.
5. Practice containment
Collating clutter into one spot can make it less overwhelming.
Sometimes you don’t actually have to declutter your space to make it feel more relaxing. Instead, focus on concealing clutter in plain sight by containing loose items, instantly making multiple small things look like one intentional thing.
Gerrit Jan Redinders, founder and CEO of storage specialists, BOXIE24, says, ‘Take any small container, like a basket, bowl, or tray, and place just the loose items such as remotes, charging cords, pens, or hair ties in it close to where you rest. Keeping all the visual clutter within one place can help make the space feel more intentional and your mind less disorganized.’
This scalloped-edge woven tray, from Walmart, is perfect for the task. Want to eliminate the mess from your eyeline entirely? Consider this wooden keepsake box from Target, which comes with a lid to keep essentials such as TV remotes, phone chargers, and eyeglasses easily accessible but out of mind.
FAQs
Why do I get so stressed when my house is messy?
High levels of mess in a house can raise cortisol levels, creating feelings of stress and anxiety and making it harder to relax at home. Often, this is a result of overwhelmed senses, with visual clutter making it difficult to feel in control and adding to your mental clutter, as you try to juggle a mental to-do list.
Meet the experts
Sofia is a cleaning expert and the CEO of Sparkly Maid Austin, a leading name in professional cleaning services, with over a decade of comprehensive experience in both residential and commercial cleaning.
Mabel is a professional organizing coach and certified professional organizer tried by Marie Kondo. Mabel is passionate about helping people to get organized and live their ideal lifestyle surrounded by only the things that spark joy.
Heidi is a certified professional organizer specializing in creating simple, sustainable organizing systems that actually work for real life.
As the CEO and Founder of BOXIE24, a global leader in on-demand storage and logistics.
Although these low-lift quick fixes can work in the immediate present, it is always a good idea to schedule a more thorough clean-up and decluttering session in the near future to reap the true benefits of a tidy home long-term.
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