For many, Keeping the house clean is usually associated with long days of effortsacrificing free time to put everything in order. However, Rachel Hoffmanncleaning expert and book author “Undefify your habitat”calls this approach into question.
Hoffman thinks that cleaning marathons do not generate lasting habits and can lead to frustration if set goals are not achieved. Instead, offers the 20/10 method. Next, we explain what this technique consists of.
How the “20/10 Method” Works to Keep the House Clean
The 20/10 method is a technique that involves cleaning for 20 minutes straight and resting for 10allowing you to keep your home tidy without the process becoming overwhelming.
This method allows cleaning to be divided into small tasks, thus avoiding accumulation of work. In addition, Interspersed rest helps maintain motivation and prevents fatiguehelping to integrate this routine into daily life without compromising free time.
Here are some key tips to make the method work effectively:
- Take a before and after photo: Visually observing progress helps identify the impact of the effort made, which can increase motivation to continue the routine.
- Making the bed every day: Although it may seem like a simple task, making the bed brings order to the room and improves the perception of space.
- Washing the dishes after each meal: Preventing dishes from piling up in the sink reduces the time it takes to clean the kitchen and helps keep it tidy.
- Clean and organize the refrigerator regularly: Discarding expired products and organizing food improves refrigerator functionality and prevents odor buildup.
- Ventilate the rooms: This practice renews the air and eliminates humidity and bad odors, thus contributing to a healthy environment.
Hoffman’s Tip: Establish an Organized Cleaning Routine
To maximize the time spent cleaning, it is important to establish a logical sequence that allows you to move forward efficiently. Some additional steps Hoffman recommends include:
- Start with the largest room: Starting with the areas that require the most effort avoids fatigue at the end of the day and makes it easier to progress into other rooms.
- Brick: By cleaning the shelves and upper surfaces first, you avoid having to clean the lower areas again, saving you time and effort.
- Return each object to its place when cleaning: Organizing items at the same time as cleaning speeds up the process and avoids unnecessary steps.
- Pick up clothes immediately from the clothesline or dryer: Completing the wash cycle by collecting clothes prevents them from accumulating in common areas and helps keep the house tidy.
- Finish by sweeping and wiping the floor: This last step allows you to conclude the cleaning with a surface free of dust and dirt, creating a warm atmosphere.
What are the benefits of applying the 20/10 method for a clean home?
Implementing the 20/10 method brings several practical benefits to home maintenance. Among them, highlights the ease of adaptation to any type of scheduleas it only requires 20 minutes of activity followed by a short rest.
Additionally, this technique avoids the exhaustion associated with cleaning marathons, promoting a less stressful and more sustainable experience in the long term.
Other benefits include:
- Reduce build-up of dirt and mess: By carrying out regular cleaning tasks, you prevent clutter from becoming unmanageable.
- Increased motivation: 10-minute breaks allow you to rest, which reduces fatigue and improves your willingness to complete tasks efficiently.