The Layers of a Clean House (Why Cleaning Feels so Hard)

There are layers of a clean house. If cleaning feels incredibly difficult to you, this will explain why it's harder for you than for others, and what to do to make it easier.

NOTE: I published this with no sound for a portion of it yesterday, so I'm republishing today with it hopefully corrected!

[chianti]

A family member of a neighbor who had recently died knocked on my door unexpectedly last night and I invited her in. At that moment I realized what an impact Dana’s teachings have had on me … there were no dishes in the sink, the sofa and coffee table were clear. (I try to do that as my last “check” of the evening) . I know there are plenty of other areas that still need lots of work (!) but at least the visible spaces …the entry and seating area … are almost always orderly now. She actually mentioned how pleasant it was to be relaxing in such a comfortable and clean space ( particularly because she had been dealing with the monumental task of clearing out her brother’s years of clutter and collectibles) . It was a real eye opener for me. Hoping that challenges me to finish the “project” but at least I now know I can safely open the door :)

[Suelabrie]

As someone whose house is always neat and declutterred I can tell you once you start doing this daily it’s not a big deal and makes you feel good and accomplished.
I make my bed daily. I never leave stuff in the sink. I put away laundry immediately and do lots of small loads rather than getting behind.
I say this as a former slob. It can be done.

[sospita_]

Dads number one lesson. Put it back where it belong and do it now. Makes life SO much easier.

[audriahicks]

ADHD makes the decluttering mentally exhausting. Doing it daily is a huge help for me. Thank you for the inspiration.

[terryruiz]

So true. I recently, approaching 80, hired someone to clean for us. The morning she's due to come, my husband refers to as our "pre-cleaning." I know it to be what is done before cleaning actually begins. Putting meds away, making sure all clothes are put away, dishes in dishwasher, etc. It only takes a few minutes, but I know only too we'll it's impossible to clean well if you're dealing with clutter.

[soulsatisfiedseries]

I just want to thank you. I grew up in a hoarders home. I was never taught how to keep a clean home. I have been doing this for 2 days and I am so happy! You have changed my life for the better and for my future generations.🙌 Thank you so very much.

[gaylabaker]

You speak my language! My poor Mother (even at 81) cannot fathom how I can look at things and still NOT see them! And, the number of items in my house that have NO HOME is truly disturbing. Thank you for continuing to encourage us!

[ArtByKarenEHaley]

My father in law gave me great advice, never leave a room empty handed. If im going to a room and there's something in there that belongs in the room I'm going to, I need to take it with me. Helps.

[grutarg]

This is why I love this channel - you show your real mess and cereal boxes and wrinkly clothes that have been in a suitcase for four days.

[trumax]

This explains why this Thanksgiving was so different from previous years: I wasn't sleep-deprived & barely out of the shower when guests arrived....and when they left, leftovers were put away, the dishwasher was turned on & all there was left to do was wash 2 oversized dishes (platter & pot) and wipe down the counters & stove. The decluttering & dailies were done, just the actual Thanksgiving to deal with!

[DD]

Something else I've learned over the years is to keep as many items off the floor as possible. This makes cleaning the floors so much easier and looks cleaner even if it isn't.

[contecorsair]

I just want to thank you for posting this video exactly how it is. I've watched SO MANY videos on cleaning and never seemed to get it. Thank you for defining and showing/describing examples of "picking up", "decluttering", and "actually cleaning". I have been stuck in a loop of catching up and stuff shifting and wondering why my house was never clean.

[kathrynzimpel]

I found this video helpful as a homeowner, but I wanted to comment as an educator. It can be very challenging to try to get students to understand why they should clean up after themselves when they think, “the janitor will just do that.” The layers and defining cleaning helps to show where the delineation is between personal student responsibilities and janitorial cleaning of the classroom or cafeteria. Thank you.

[mdoe]

Do not refilm this! Its very authentic...right down to the rumpled shirt. Because that's how we "untidy types" are and think. And I am today years old to finally find out that there are three layers. And I have a cereal box and a huge stack of dishes to "clean around' in order to clean the house. I'm nearing 60 and I've never quite gotten it right. I always figured it was hiding behind the accepting hoarder grandmother and shielding myself from my hyper critical dust ball chasing appearances matter mother.

Its literally Christmas morning when I watched this. With fresh eyes, I'm Getting up to do the daily right now.

Thank you.

[daisybuchanan]

When the decluttering is done the dusting, polishing, and vacuuming is actually fun. Decorating for holidays is fun, and having guests is fun. Thank-you Dana !

[Pajali]

This concept really opened my eyes to why my house was so frustrating before I started decluttering. I had to move so much stuff around to wipe off the table, then I had to move stuff (sometimes the SAME STUFF) to sweep the floor. Every task required moving stuff around first. 😅 I still have a ways to go with decluttering, but I can usually get by with just a 5-minute pick up before I can clean my table and floors now. My house has space to live instead of just space to hold things. 😄

[infopubs]

An extra bonus of doing the first 2 layers is that then the actual dirt can't hide. So if a surface is decluttered, it's much easier to see the first layer of dust or the first coffee spill, so wiping it up is simpler and I'm more likely to just take care of it. Wiping up one coffee dribble isn't THE BIG DREADED CLEANING, it's 10 seconds with a paper towel. It's like dishes math: the first cleaning can take time but after that it's just little catch ups.

[cindybaumgart]

You just made me understand why sh!t never gets done right 😅
Thank you. I love you.

[Modadaone]

Big Ah ha moment! Really explains why we constantly chase our tails. How many of us have told ourselves "I've been cleaning all day and it doesn't look any better"? Thanks Dana! Great video. Your process works. You are changing lives.❤

[skimmynyc]

I have never heard it explained like this before- I now understand why I find it all so overwhelming- thank you! And I love how real and honest you are : )