If your untidy home makes you feel stressed, you’re not alone.
Messy home anxiety is a common problem. Data shows up to 90% of the UK population are negatively affected by mess or clutter.
Mess stress
You know – that sinking feeling when unexpected guests drop in, and last night’s dishes are still piled up.
Or your colleague asks for a quick Zoom call, and – too late – you spot the piles of laundry behind you.
If your home is cluttered or messy, it can really get you down.
You might worry about being judged. You might feel guilty, or blame yourself for not being more organised.
It can cause you to feel isolated. You might avoid inviting friends over, because the house is untidy. You might put off that family gathering, until you’ve got the house sorted out.
An untidy home can leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. You might find it difficult to relax when you can see dusty surfaces and clutter all around you. You waste time hunting for things you’ve lost.
But there is a way out of messy house anxiety.
Fix your thinking
Here’s the thing. Most people don’t have a perfect home. Drop in unexpectedly, and in most busy homes you’ll find all the usual mess, from kids’ schoolbags to overflowing ironing baskets. So don’t be so hard on yourself.
Your friends and family come to see you, not your home. They are more interested in a warm welcome, a good chat, and your company, than in inspecting your skirting boards for dust. So don’t let a bit of clutter get in the way.
Get everyone involved
Everyone in your home is making the mess, so get everyone involved in fixing it. If you have children in the house, start teaching them early to put their own toys away. Show them how to pair shoes and sort socks. These are important life skills, and they might even find it fun.
Start small – Do a ‘drive-by’ clean or tidy
Five minutes spent cleaning can make a big difference. Here are some quick hacks to try:
- While you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, wipe over the fridge and oven doors to remove fingermarks and restore shine
- Give the basin and toilet a quick clean while the bath is filling
- Run the vacuum over high traffic areas every day. A cordless vac is perfect for this
- Wipe the hob after every cooking session, to prevent stubborn grease building up.
When it comes to clutter, don’t try to tackle the whole house at once. Start with one cupboard, one drawer, or one pile of paper. Try to find “a place for everything”, in a box, cupboard or drawer. Leaving things out on surfaces increases the sense of clutter, and attracts more!
Bring in the professionals
Let’s face it – no one wants to spend their precious free time cleaning and tidying. So investing in a professional cleaner can be money well spent.
I know what you’re thinking – but your home does not have to be perfectly tidy before the cleaner visits. Clearing the surfaces will make their job easier and quicker, but a professional cleaner is used to tidying as they go. And knowing your home is clean will give you more time and motivation to tackle decluttering, and that will make your home much easier to manage.
That regular cleaning visit can be transformational. There’ll be no more last-minute bathroom cleans when your in-laws announce they’re dropping in for a coffee. You’ll look forward to walking into a clean, calm space. You’ll feel less stressed, and more relaxed.
Final thoughts
We all know there’s more to life than cleaning. But if messy home anxiety is getting you down, try my tips, and consider investing in a professional cleaner. It will restore calm to your home – and your mind.
