Hi Massive Mess Stress,

Oooh boy. If I knew how to make cleaning fun and easy, I’d be rich! Imagine what people would pay for that secret. Housekeepers would have the most fun job in the world and parents wouldn’t have to beg their kids to clean. Kids would think chores were AWESOME.
Seriously, though. This is a problem we can all relate to. Well, except for the few among us who genuinely enjoy cleaning. But they are definitely the exception. AND they never let their rooms get messy enough that cleaning it up is a real pain.

(Hang on, they might be on to something there…)

But most of us don’t mind some mess, and it’s a constant battle with parents who do. I think some parents are worried about hygiene (I mean, it’s probably not great to have moldy things growing under your bed). I think some parents just think everything looks nicer when it’s neat. And, I think some believe you’ll have an easier time staying on top of your schoolwork if your surroundings are organized.

Regardless of your parents’ reasons, you’re getting in trouble for your messy room. So, we have to come up with some solutions on getting it clean and keeping it that way.
I mean, look—when we’re in preschool, the teachers sing the clean-up song and we’re supposed to believe that makes it fun. Nothing is going to make cleaning more fun than talking to our friends, watching TV, playing on our phones or…almost anything. But you can make the best of it. So here are some ideas:

1. MUSIC: Listen to really fun, upbeat music while you clean.
2. PRIORITIZE: Start with making your bed, and cleaning things off the floor. There’s more to cleaning your room than just that, but doing those two things will make a HUGE difference in how the room looks. You’ll feel like you’ve accomplished something AND your parents will see that you’re making progress.
3. COMPETE: If you’ve got siblings who also need to clean, you could have a competition to see who can finish first. Your mom or dad might also be willing to compete with you. Can you clean your room before your dad is done washing the car? Or if you’re cleaning on your own, you can try to beat the clock. Can you get all the clothes put away in under five minutes? Can you clean off your desk in under ten?
4. REWARD YOURSELF: Promise yourself a reward for when you’ve finished cleaning. For example, you get to binge watch hilarious YouTube videos or pig out on brownies. You could even get your parents involved and have them treat you to something nice, like some pizza or a trip to the mall. Hey, I’m pretty sure they’ll agree as long as it motivates you to FINALLY clean your room!

Once your room is clean, try to KEEP it that way. You could ask your parents for help with this. Have a plan in place and know where everything goes. That way, it’s less likely to end up on the floor or piled up in your closet.

I hope that helps. Cleaning is one of those things you just have to do sometimes. But maybe with these tips, it won’t be so bad. 🙂

How do you guys make cleaning fun? Any tips for KEEPING a room neat, tidy and well-organized? Share your thoughts below!