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Plus, tips to help you stay motivated and make it fun
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Cleaning your room can feel like an overwhelming task, but it’s likely a quicker and easier process than you imagine! Sometimes all it takes is a simple plan and a little motivation. We spoke with Professional Organizers Julie Naylon and Ashley Moon to learn all the best tips and tricks to help you get your room sparkling clean. Read on to learn how!
How to Clean Your Room
- Clear off your bed and make it or wash the bedding.
- Put away clean clothes and toss dirty clothes in a laundry basket.
- Clear out any dirty dishes or empty food containers.
- Sort through your belongings and throw away or donate unwanted items.
- Put everything away where it belongs.
- Store the same types of items in boxes or bins.
- Display special items on a shelf or your desk.
Steps
Section 1 of 2:
Cleaning Your Room
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Move everything off your bed and make it. Making your bed helps to make your room look much cleaner and gives you a feeling of achievement to kickstart your cleaning. Move anything from on your bed into a pile in one section of your room. Pull up your sheets and blankets, tuck them in, straighten your comforter, and place your pillows at the top of your bed. [1] X Research source
- If you haven’t changed your sheets recently, place them in the washing basket and put new ones on your bed. This will help your bed to feel and smell extra fresh.
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Organize all the clothes that aren't put away. Pick up each piece of clothing and decide whether it’s clean or dirty. If the item is clean, fold it and place it in your dresser or hang it in your wardrobe. If the item is dirty, place it in the washing basket. When in doubt, treat it as if it’s dirty!
- It's always better to wash a clean item twice than to wear a dirty item. Treat items on your floor as dirty unless you’re certain they’re clean. [2] X Research source
Tip: Don’t put a load of laundry on until you have finished cleaning your room, as you never know where you might find another dirty sock that needs washing!
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Take any dirty dishes to the kitchen. This helps stop bad smells from developing and prevents ants and other pests from gathering in your room. Take all the cups, plates, cutlery, and mugs back to the kitchen. Also, throw away any takeout packages still in your room. [3] X Research source
- Check under your bed, on your dresser and desk, and in your bedside drawers for dirty dishes and takeout packages.
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Sort clutter and toss out anything you don't want anymore. This is a great way to clear space in your room and get rid of clutter. Sort through all the objects on the surfaces in your room and on your floor and decide if anything needs to be thrown away. “Sorting first is really 80% of organizing, and then depending on the person, 10% tends to be purging and 10% organizing the keep pile,” says Moon. [4] X Expert Source Ashley Moon, MA
Professional Organizer Expert Interview. 30 August 2019. Look out for food wrappers, apple cores, random bits of paper, broken items, and things you don't use anymore. [5] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source- Put unwanted paper and cardboard into a separate bag for recycling.
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Give away any books, clothes, or toys you don’t want anymore. This is a great way to declutter your room and will give you more space for the items you treasure. Look at each object and consider whether you’ve used it in the last year. If you haven’t used it recently and it doesn’t have sentimental value, think about giving it away to a second-hand charity shop. [6] X Research source
- Make sure to check with your parents first.
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Place objects back in their rightful places if they already have a home. Put everything that's on the floor away first. That way, you'll be able to move around your room without tripping over anything. Start with the bigger things, like books and pillows, then move on to smaller things, like pencils and other stationery. Find a home for all the items on your dresser, desk, floor, and bedside tables. [7] X Research source
- Try not to get distracted by the items you’re putting away, as this can make your cleaning process take a lot longer.
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Store similar items that don’t have a home in bins or boxes. This is a simple way to organize your room and make it easier to find things. Place all your stationery in one box, your photos in another box, your beauty products in another box, craft supplies in another box, and so on. Make sure to label the storage boxes and store them in an accessible place so they’re easy to find and access. [8] X Research source
- Place the boxes on your shelves, under your bed, in your wardrobe, or on your desk.
- Organize your things before you buy storage boxes and bins
. Otherwise, you run the risk of having even more clutter after finishing organizing everything. Naylon says, “A common mistake I see is people go out and buy a bunch of organizing products. They'll buy bins and baskets and everything. I always say shopping is the last thing we do because you really don't know what you're going to need to organize or where things are going yet.” [9]
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Expert Source
Julie Naylon
Professional Organizer Expert Interview. 18 December 2019.
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Display a few items that are special to you. This is a great way to personalize your room. If you find a pretty ornament or cool toy while cleaning, consider placing it on your desk, dresser, or bedside table. Try to place only a few items on each surface so that space doesn't look cluttered. [10] X Research source
- Using your space as a display area will help you keep the room tidier since objects that don’t belong will look out of place, and you’ll be encouraged to put them away. Additionally, when surfaces have less clutter, they’re easier to clean and dust.
Example: Place your soccer trophy on your desk and a favorite photo on your dresser.
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Dust all of the surfaces in your room. Use a duster to remove all the dust from your desk, dresser, bookshelf, slatted blinds, fans, light fixtures, lamps, and any other surfaces in your room. Always start high and work your way down so you don’t knock dust and dirt onto surfaces you’ve already cleaned. Dust before you vacuum or sweep because dust will often become displaced and then settle back on your floor. [11] X Trustworthy Source HealthyChildren.org Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Go to source
- If you don’t have a duster, use a microfiber cloth to remove the dust.
- Make sure to dust objects on your desk, dresser, etc. Picture frames, travel souvenirs, and trophies look much nicer when dust-free.
- Turn your fan and lights off before you dust them.
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Wipe the surfaces to remove marks, dirt, and stickiness. Stickiness attracts ants and can damage your furniture. Spray a little surface cleaner onto the surfaces and wipe them with a cloth. Microfiber cloths are a great option, as they easily remove a variety of different marks. Wipe your desk, dresser, bedside table, window sills, baseboards, trims, and any other surfaces in your room at least once a week. [12] X Trustworthy Source HealthyChildren.org Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Go to source
- Disinfectant wipes also work well, as they help to kill any bacteria.
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Vacuum or sweep the floor, especially under your bed and desk. These areas are often missed during quick cleaning, so make sure to vacuum them thoroughly. If necessary, move furniture to vacuum under it more easily. Push your vacuum back and forth over the entire floor until the carpet looks clean and free of dirt and debris. [13] X Trustworthy Source HealthyChildren.org Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Go to source
- If the vacuum isn’t sucking well, check if the bag or canister is full and change or empty it if necessary.
- Vacuum your floor at least once a week. If you wear shoes inside, consider vacuuming more often.
Tip: If your carpet has a strange smell, sprinkle some carpet deodorizer or baking soda before vacuuming to give your room a pleasant scent.
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Sweep and mop the floors if applicable. Use the broom to push all the dirt and dust into 1 pile, and then use a dustpan and brush to scoop it up. After this, dip your mop into a bucket of soapy water and wipe it over the floors to remove any marks and dust. Rinse the mop every few minutes to ensure that it doesn’t spread dirt around the floors. [14] X Research source
- This will leave your floors feeling and looking nice and clean.
- Sweep and mop your floors at least once a week.
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Wipe the light switches and door handles with a disinfectant. These points are some of the most touched spots in your room. This means that over time they can collect a lot of bacteria. Spray household disinfectant spray on a cloth and then wipe the switches and handles. [15] X Research source
- Disinfect your handles and switches once a week to keep them fresh and clean.
- Wipe off any outlet covers, too. Since they’re not as frequently touched, they don’t build up grime as fast as light switches, but keeping them clean and bright can help the overall look of the room.
- Don’t clean any outlets without switching off the circuit breaker for your room. Find the breaker box and flip the switch connected to your room. Then, flip it in the opposite direction to turn the electricity back on when you’re done. Always ask your parents before touching the circuit breaker box.
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Use glass cleaner to wipe the mirrors and windows. Liberally spray the glass cleaner over all your mirrors and windows, and then use a cloth to wipe them clean. Continue to rub until there are no marks or streaks left on the glass. This will leave your windows and mirrors looking sparkly clean. [16] X Research source
- Clean your windows and mirrors each time that they get marked to make the job as quick and easy as possible.
- Microfiber cloths work well for cleaning glass.
- Don’t forget to clean the window tracks as well. Vacuum up loose debris in the tracks with a crevice attachment or a handheld vacuum cleaner. You can use an old toothbrush and some all-purpose cleaning solution to scrub away caked-on dirt and dust.
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Section 2 of 2:
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Play music to keep your spirits high and get in the right mindset. Before you start, put on an album or playlist that makes you feel energetic. “Really activating all the senses is a great way to make it fun and engaging and celebratory,” Moon says. “I created a playlist on Spotify, which is called Decluttering Magic with Creatively Neat…It has all kinds of songs about letting go and living your best life, and not letting anything get in the way, like clutter.” [17] X Expert Source Ashley Moon, MA
Professional Organizer Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.- Music with a faster beat will help motivate you for your cleaning project. Stay away from slower music, as this can make you feel tired and bored. [18] X Research source
- If you need a timer, create a playlist that is a certain amount of time and try to finish before the playlist ends.
Tip: If you don’t know what to listen to, search for an upbeat playlist online. Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora have a range of great cleaning and motivational playlists.
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Create a reward for yourself to incentivize you to get the job done. This extra motivation can help you to get the job done faster. Decide how to treat yourself once you’ve finished cleaning. A few ways to treat yourself are: hang out with your friends, watch a movie with your family, eat a big bowl of ice cream, or read your favorite book. [19] X Research source
- Make sure not to rush your cleaning in order to get your reward!
A system can help you be more efficient.
"Cleaning my room usually takes me 30 minutes. By reading this article, I got it done in 15 minutes. To do so, I put my clothes away first, got garbage picked up, then organized leftover items. To go as fast as I could, I put on my favorite music, set a timer on my phone for 15 minutes, and gave myself a candy reward when I finished."
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"My room was really messy and my sister, dad, and I are flying to Pennsylvania next week. My dad said that I had to clean my room or I couldn't go. Thanks to this article, I'm Pennsylvania bound."
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Make cleaning your room into a game if you need extra motivation. When you're having trouble motivating yourself to clean your room, make the process interesting by playing a game. See how many things you can put away for 10 minutes and then try to beat your high score. Alternatively, pretend you’re a robot while cleaning and only make robot movements and noises. Another option is to set a timer and see how fast you can clean your room. [20] X Research source
- Be creative and create your own games!
Tip: Start the dusting from the top surfaces to the bottom so that this sequence will help you get the job done in less time and without repeating the same job.
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Create a checklist of the different tasks to stay on track. Checklists are a great way to give yourself a sense of achievement and progress when cleaning up a big mess. Decide what you want to organize and clean, and then make a list to prioritize them from the most urgent to the least. Try to be as detailed as possible so you don’t forget anything. [21] X Research source
- Tick off each task once you’ve done it to easily keep track of what you still need to do.
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Schedule the tasks throughout the week. This is a great option to make cleaning more manageable if there is a lot to do. Write down when to complete each task so you stay on track with your cleaning schedule. Try to be as disciplined as possible and stick to the schedule. [22] X Research source
Example: Assign the clothes sorting to Monday, sorting through rubbish and surface items to Tuesday, and dusting and vacuuming to Wednesday.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat's the best way to organize the books in my room?Ashley Moon is the Founder and CEO of Creatively Neat, a virtual organizing and life coaching business based in Los Angeles, California. In addition to helping people organize their best life, she has a fabulous team of organizers ready to de-clutter your home or business. Ashley hosts workshops and speaking engagements at various venues and festivals. She has trained with Coach Approach and Heart Core for organizing and business coaching respectively. She has an MA in Human Development and Social Change from Pacific Oaks College.I recommend displaying your favorite books or the ones you're currently reading on a bookshelf or other surface. Then, consider donating the books you're not actively reading. The odds of you looking at them again are pretty slim, and you can always easily get a book again if you end up wanting to read it in the future.
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QuestionHow can I make cleaning more fun?Ashley Moon is the Founder and CEO of Creatively Neat, a virtual organizing and life coaching business based in Los Angeles, California. In addition to helping people organize their best life, she has a fabulous team of organizers ready to de-clutter your home or business. Ashley hosts workshops and speaking engagements at various venues and festivals. She has trained with Coach Approach and Heart Core for organizing and business coaching respectively. She has an MA in Human Development and Social Change from Pacific Oaks College.Try to really activate all of your senses so the process is more engaging and enjoyable. Put on some music, light a nice smelling candle, and take time to touch the items in your room and be present with them.
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QuestionHow do I get rid of clutter?Ashley Moon is the Founder and CEO of Creatively Neat, a virtual organizing and life coaching business based in Los Angeles, California. In addition to helping people organize their best life, she has a fabulous team of organizers ready to de-clutter your home or business. Ashley hosts workshops and speaking engagements at various venues and festivals. She has trained with Coach Approach and Heart Core for organizing and business coaching respectively. She has an MA in Human Development and Social Change from Pacific Oaks College.It really comes down to three steps. The first step is to sort through all of your stuff and separate everything into categories. Then, go through each category one at a time and purge the things you don't want or need anymore. Finally, organize everything that's left by finding a good place for it.
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Tips
- If you feel overwhelmed, tackle one task or area of your room at time.Thanks
- Designate a day in the week to change your bed sheets and do laundry.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- When sorting through your wardrobe, separate the clothes by season. If you come across an item you don't know if you like, place the hanger in the opposite direct than the rest of your clothes. If the coat hanger is still facing the wrong way after 6 months, it's time to get rid of the item.
- If you're struggling to get through your room, complete one section at a time and take small breaks in between each section. Every time you complete a task, you can take a 5 to 10 minute break. Once you're halfway done you can take a 15 minute break to reward yourself.
- It's best to keep the momentum going once you've started. If you need to take a break, don't do things that will distract you and have a short break. That way it's easier to carry on and finish.
- Do you have something you want to keep but doesn't look good in your room? Utilize the space beneath your bed. Put it into a box along with anything else you want to hide.
- Get a good night's rest before starting. You don't want to be tired while cleaning. When you're ready, start with the biggest problem and work your way through it!
- As you're cleaning, make a list of all the things you're out of or running low on. This can be a way to reward yourself when you're done cleaning your room.
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Things You’ll Need
- Duster
- Microfiber cloth
- Household cleaner
- Household disinfectant spray
- Glass cleaner
- Vacuum
- Trash bag
- Storage bins or boxes
- Broom
- Dustpan
- Mop
- Bucket
- Floor cleaner
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References
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-information/how-to-clean-a-mattress
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedding-information/how-often-should-you-wash-your-sheets
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/dishes/dishwashing-made-easy
- ↑ Ashley Moon, MA. Professional Organizer. Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11397-household-chemical-products-and-their-health-risk
- ↑ https://youtu.be/0cveKd6Gth8?t=514
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/how-to-design-the-ideal-bedroom-for-sleep
- ↑ https://youtu.be/rXCxnk6ANDk?t=275
- ↑ Julie Naylon. Professional Organizer. Expert Interview. 18 December 2019.
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma/Pages/Dust-Mite-Control.aspx
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma/Pages/Dust-Mite-Control.aspx
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/prevention/Pages/Cleaners-Sanitizers-Disinfectants.aspx
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-to-mop-7511534
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/doors-knobs-switches-spring-cleaning-267984
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/surfaces/clean-windows
- ↑ Ashley Moon, MA. Professional Organizer. Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.
- ↑ https://www.uchealth.org/today/benefits-of-music-5-ways-to-use-music-to-improve-your-daily-life/
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/psychology-rewarding-yourself-with-treats#1
- ↑ https://www.momtastic.com/life/621855-cleaning-games-for-kids/
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/house-cleaning-schedule
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/house-cleaning-schedule
About This Article
Article Summary
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To clean your room, start by clearing clutter off your bed so you can make it. If you haven’t changed your sheets in a while, swap them out with some fresh ones. You can also put some decorative pillows or a throw blanket on your bed to spruce it up a bit. Next, go around your room and toss any trash into a wastebasket or trash bag. Fold or hang up any clean clothes. Toss any dirty clothes in the hamper, or try putting them straight into the washing machine so they’re all clean by the time you’re done cleaning. Then, put away any small items that are out of place, like toiletries, accessories, or books. If you don’t have a designated space for them, put them in a bedside drawer or storage container to keep them organized. You can also put things like books and mementos on a shelf in your room. While you’re cleaning, make a pile for things to donate or give away. The less clutter you have, the cleaner your room will look! Next, use a cloth or hand-held duster to wipe down all the surfaces in your room, like your dresser, desk, and bedside table. Make sure you remove any small items first so you can dust under them. Open up your window shades or curtains, and if desired, clean the windows and windowsills. Finish by vacuuming the floor if it’s carpet, or sweeping and mopping if it’s hardwood. In general, try to clean your floor at least once a week to keep your room looking fresh. If you’re trying to motivate yourself to clean your room, try playing your favorite music and dancing as you clean! For more tips from our Cleaning co-author, including how to tackle major cleaning projects, read on!
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- "Cleaning my room usually takes me 30 minutes. By reading this article, I got it done in 15 minutes. To do so, I put my clothes away first, got garbage picked up, then organized leftover items. To go as fast as I could, I put on my favorite music, set a timer on my phone for 15 minutes, and gave myself a candy reward when I finished. " ..." more
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"Cleaning my room usually takes me 30 minutes. By reading this article, I got it done in 15 minutes. To do so, I put my clothes away first, got garbage picked up, then organized leftover items. To go as fast as I could, I put on my favorite music, set a timer on my phone for 15 minutes, and gave myself a candy reward when I finished. "
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