A busy work schedule might leave you short on time for tidying and household chores. Butif the key to a peaceful life could lie in keeping a tidy and minimalist home, it’s certainly worth trying. So, how can we find the time and energy to get the ball rolling?
Whether you’re a busy parent or working long hours with a city commute to boot, there’s always a way to devote some time to the housework. Even if you think you’re too busy, it’s worth knowing a few of the best ways to keep things under control.
Why am I avoiding the housework?
In Britain, many families find it difficult to balance household chores with their working life. And it’s also true that certain chores are considered more burdensome than others.
To shed some light on the most highly debated housework issues, we’ve taken some headline statistics from a survey of 2,000 Brits by fitted furniture experts Hammonds. The survey found that:
- Hoovering floors is the most-liked chore, with 13% listing it as their favourite
- 37% admitted to spending less than two hours a week doing household tasks
- Where the housework is concerned, 22% said they argue with their partners about not pulling their weight
These alarming headline figures highlight tensions in approaching the tasks and getting the housework done in the first place. So, with some cleaning experts claiming that you can tidy up in just fifteen minutes, what can be done to combat the issue?
How can I make it easier to clean the house?
- Don’t let tasks pile up
When you avoid one task, it’s easy to put off something else as well. Chores can pile up much more quickly than you’d expect, so it’s crucial to start small and keep your efforts going regularly. According to Kirsty Oakes, Hammonds’ own Head of Product and Marketing, keeping on top of things should be taken seriously. Kirsty says:
“When it comes to jobs around the house, it’s very easy to fall behind with each task – especially if we don’t like doing it in the first place!”
- Multitask with something you enjoy
When you couple mundane tasks with something a little bit lighter, you can counteract your reluctant feelings with some energy instead. A couple of examples include catching up on your favourite TV show while doing the ironing or listening to an interesting project while you clean down the kitchen. Hammonds found that ironing is the most-disliked chore, with 17% of respondents listing it as their least favourite. Why not make it a little bit better?
- Choose efficient storage
Storage space might be limited in your home, but there’s no reason to keep your belongings strewn about in a mess. Try to store your things as efficiently as possible, making use of awkward spaces and alcoves whenever possible. If you’re ready for a small conversion project to increase your storage, bespoke understairs fitted storage could make the perfect solution.
- Share the load
Don’t take on all of the household chores yourself. Not only will splitting up the work help to get the jobs done faster, but it can have an incredibly positive impact on your relationship too.
Nearly one in five respondents to Hammonds’ survey said that their female partner does most of the housework. Alarmingly, at least two in five respondents said they do all the chores in their household. By sharing the load at home, you could strengthen your bond too.
Overview
Try not to put off household tasks. When you approach your chores regularly and compartmentalise, sharing the load with other members of your household, the concept of housework might start to feel a little bit lighter.
