Where to Start Cleaning If You’re a Messy Person

Key Points

• Some reasons cleaning feels hard for a messy person include feeling overwhelmed by clutter, lacking daily cleaning habits, having low energy or motivation, and not knowing where to start.
• The five steps to help a messy person clean are: (1) begin with one small area, (2) clean high-traffic spots first, (3) use a basket or bag for quick decluttering, (4) set a short cleaning timer, and (5) build simple daily habits.
• Some tips to make cleaning easier for messy people are to create designated storage for everything, try cleaning methods like the “Only Handle It Once” rule or the “20/10 cleaning method,” and focus on progress rather than perfection.

Keeping your home clean can feel overwhelming, especially when mess has piled up. Many people ask, “Where to start cleaning if you’re a messy person?” The good news is that you don’t need to do everything at once. Starting small and following a clear plan can help you regain control of your home without the stress.

This guide will walk you through why cleaning feels hard when you’re messy, step-by-step ways to get started, and simple tips to keep the mess from coming back.

Why Cleaning Feels Hard When You’re Messy

If cleaning feels like a challenge, you’re not alone. Many Canadians find themselves struggling how to declutter and finish their household chores. Understanding why it feels difficult is the first step in making progress

1. Feeling Overwhelmed by Clutter

When clutter builds up, your brain can’t process where to begin. This creates a mental block that makes even simple tasks feel impossible. Visual clutter actually increases cortisol levels, making you feel more stressed and less motivated to tackle the mess.

The solution is to start small and focus on one area at a time. This breaks the overwhelming feeling of cleaning into manageable pieces.

2. Lack of Daily Cleaning Habits

Without consistent daily habits, messes accumulate quickly. Most messy people clean in marathon sessions rather than maintaining their space regularly. This approach leads to burnout and makes cleaning feel like a huge chore.

Building 5-10 minute daily habits is far more effective than spending entire weekends cleaning.

3. Low Energy or Motivation

Messy environments can drain your mental energy, creating a cycle where you feel too tired to clean. Additionally, if you’ve failed at cleaning routines before, you might feel discouraged about trying again.

4. Not Knowing Where to Start

When everything needs attention, choosing a starting point becomes paralyzing. Many people waste time deciding what to clean instead of actually cleaning. This decision fatigue makes the whole process feel harder than it needs to be.

Fortunately, following a clear step-by-step instructions eliminates this problem completely. Continue reading to know how to start cleaning.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide for Messy People

Here’s your roadmap to transform any messy space into a clean, organized home.

Step 1: Begin with One Small Area

Choose the smallest, most manageable space in your home. This could be:

• Your bedside table
• The kitchen counter
• Your desk
• The bathroom sink area

Completely clean this one area before moving on. This gives you an immediate win and creates momentum for larger tasks.

Step 2: Clean High-Traffic Spots First

Focus on areas you use most often throughout the day:

These areas give you the biggest visual impact for your effort.

Step 3: Use a Basket or Bag for Quick Decluttering

Get a basket, box, or bag to collect items that don’t belong in each room. This method prevents you from getting distracted by putting things away in other rooms.

The process:

1. Walk through the room with your container
2. Pick up items that don’t belong
3. Place them in the container
4. Once the room is decluttered, distribute items to their proper homes

This technique can clear a room in under 15 minutes.

Step 4: Set a Short Cleaning Timer

Use the timer method to make cleaning less overwhelming:

• 15 minutes: For light tidying and daily maintenance
• 25 minutes: For deeper cleaning of one room
• 45 minutes: For tackling problem areas

When the timer goes off, you can stop guilt-free. Often, you’ll want to continue because you’ve built momentum.

Step 5: Build Simple Daily Habits

The best way to keep your space from becoming overwhelming again is by adding small habits into your day. A few minutes each morning and evening can make a big difference.

These quick actions help stop clutter before it starts, preventing nearly 80% of daily mess from piling up. Even if you skip a deeper clean, these small wins will keep your home feeling fresh.

Related Read: How to Create a Cleaning Schedule for Your Home?

Tips to Make Cleaning Easier for Messy People

• Create designated homes for everything. When items have specific places, putting them away becomes automatic rather than a decision you have to make.
• Keep cleaning supplies visible and accessible. Store all-purpose cleaner and microfiber cloths in each major room. When supplies are handy, you’re more likely to do quick cleanups.
• Focus on progress, not perfection. A house that’s 70% clean but maintained regularly beats a spotless house that gets neglected for weeks.
• Use the “good enough” standard. Beds don’t need to be perfectly made, just pulled together. Dishes don’t need to be sparkling, just clean. This mindset prevents perfectionism from stopping you.
• Follow a cleaning strategy like the OHIO Method (Only Handle It Once). Instead of moving items from place to place, put them directly where they belong the first time. This reduces clutter buildup and saves time.
• You may apply the time management 20/10 cleaning method. Focus on the 20% of cleaning tasks; like doing dishes, laundry, and clearing surfaces, then rest for 10 minutes. This cycle makes tidying up less overwhelming and more sustainable for messy people.

Frequently Asked Questions

You might still have some questions. Here are some of the most common ones:

FAQ #1: How do I motivate myself to clean if I feel lazy?

Start with the smallest possible task. Don’t think about the whole house. Just focus on one thing. For example, “I will just put these three books on the shelf.” Once you do that, you might feel motivated to do a little more. Celebrate these small wins.

FAQ #2: Should I clean one room at a time or the whole house?

For someone who is messy, it is better to clean one room at a time. It is less overwhelming. You get to see a finished space. This gives you a sense of accomplishment. You can move to the next room when you are ready.

FAQ #3: What if my house is too messy to handle the cleaning alone?

It is okay to ask for help. Sometimes, the mess is too big to start alone. Or maybe you are too busy. This is where professional cleaning services come in. A professional deep clean can reset your home. It gives you a clean slate. Then you can maintain it with the tips we’ve given you. This is a great solution for busy people in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, or Ottawa who just don’t have the time.

Conclusion

Starting to clean when you’re naturally messy doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The key is beginning small, focusing on high-impact areas, and building sustainable daily habits rather than trying to transform everything at once.

Remember that every small action counts. The most important step is simply starting somewhere, anywhere. Choose one small area today and give it 10 to 20 minutes of attention. You’ll be surprised how much progress you can make and how good it feels to see immediate results.

Ready to Reset Your Home without the Stress?

If your home still feels too overwhelming to clean on your own, Hellamaid’s professional cleaners in Canada can help you start fresh. Whether it’s a one-time deep clean or regular cleaning service, our trusted and friendly team is here for you. You can enjoy:

• No hidden fees
• Licensed and experienced cleaners
• Easy online booking
• Save with our gift cards

Book your cleaning with Hellamaid today and enjoy the comfort of a fresh, clean home.