Cleaning is often seen as a dreary chore that needs to be completed out of necessity.
However, some people genuinely enjoy the process of cleaning and take pride in having a spotless living space. For these cleaning enthusiasts, tidying up is a relaxing hobby rather than a burden.
So can cleaning be considered a fun pastime? Let’s take a closer look at the key characteristics that define a hobby and see if cleaning measures up.
Finding Enjoyment in the Process Itself
One hallmark of a hobby is that the person finds joy in carrying out the activity itself, not just in the result.
With cleaning, some people find the ritual soothing and satisfying. Methodically dusting, vacuuming, and scrubbing can put someone in a state of “flow.” They get caught up in the motions and the sense of order that emerges.
Cleaning can provide a creative outlet as well. Experimenting with new tools and products or clever storage solutions engages the imagination. Some devotees even elevate their craft by learning specialized skills like furniture restoration.
Motivated by Intrinsic Rewards
People pursue hobbies for internal fulfillment, not external pressures and rewards. With cleaning as a hobby, the drive comes from within.
Cleaning hobbyists don’t tidy up for praise from others or to prove their worth. They do it because they genuinely enjoy the process and take pride in their abilities. They find the result intrinsically rewarding.
A feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction comes from transforming a space from messy to sparkling. Knowing they have created a peaceful environment for themselves and their families to enjoy brings a deep sense of personal fulfillment.
Requires Dedication and Effort
No hobby can be easily mastered. It takes time, energy, and commitment. The same goes for cleaning. Transforming it from a chore into an engaging hobby requires dedication.
Enthusiasts invest in specialized tools and products that make cleaning easier and more efficient. They research and test out cleaning hacks and methods to find what works best for their needs. Some even take classes to learn professional-level skills.
To keep their passion alive, hobbyists set aside time each week to focus just on cleaning. They might put on music or a podcast to make the time more enjoyable. Rather than rushing through it, they can mindfully appreciate the activity.
More Than Just Cleaning
For the hobbyist, cleaning extends beyond just making things look presentable. It’s also about creating a space that feels healthy, inspiring, and uniquely you.
Some cleaning aficionados approach it like interior decorating, carefully curating a look that aligns with their tastes and personality. Other enthusiasts enjoy infusing cleaning with their other interests by listening to audiobooks or podcasts while they tidy.
There’s also the satisfaction that comes from knowing you’ve eliminated dirt, germs, and clutter through your efforts. Maintaining a clean environment can provide a sense of personal accomplishment.
Benefits Beyond a Clean Home
Approaching cleaning as a hobby, rather than a chore, can yield benefits extending far beyond a tidy home. Here are a few advantages hobbyists experience:
- Improved mental health – The sense of control and order can alleviate stress and anxiety. Physical activity also releases feel-good endorphins.
- Increased energy – A clean, clutter-free environment is energizing and liberating. When everything has a place, you don’t waste time looking for misplaced items.
- Quality family time – Involving kids teaches important life skills. Turning on music and making cleaning a family activity also bonds you together.
- Sense of accomplishment – Seeing the fruits of your labor through a clean home boosts self-confidence and gives a sense of fulfillment.
- Better physical health – Reduced exposure to dirt, dust, and grime promotes wellness. The physical activity of cleaning also keeps your body active.
DIY Cleaning Recipes
One of the joys of cleaning as a hobby is using homemade cleaners you crafted yourself. Here are some simple recipes to try:
All-Purpose Cleaner
- 1⁄2 cup white vinegar
- 1⁄4 cup baking soda
- 1⁄2 gallon warm water
Mix ingredients until the baking soda dissolves. Add to spray bottle and use on surfaces.
Shower Cleaner
- 1⁄2 cup baking soda
- Liquid castile soap
- 10 drops essential oil (eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon)
Mix baking soda and soap into a paste. Add oil for scent. Apply to shower walls and scrub.
Window & Glass Cleaner
- 2 cups water
- 1⁄4 cup vinegar or lemon juice
- 1-2 tbsp. castile soap
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake before use. Wipe clean with newspaper or microfiber cloth.
Tips for Making Cleaning a Happy Hobby
If you want to turn cleaning from a chore into an enjoyable hobby, try incorporating these tips:
Set a Designated Time
Rather than squeezing in cleaning when you have a spare moment, set aside designated time like it’s an important appointment. Devote your full attention to cleaning without distractions during this time.
Involve Others
Ask your kids or partner to help out. Playing music and working as a team makes cleaning more lively and collaborative. Have a dance party while vacuuming or turn mopping into a friendly competition.
Add Your Personal Touch
Make cleaning an expression of yourself by picking accessories in your favorite colors. Or show your interests through themed cleaning caddies – for example, one decorated with flowers if you’re an avid gardener.
Experiment with New Products
Keep things interesting by regularly trying out new cleaning gadgets, tools, and formulas. Testing out innovations turns cleaning into an ongoing science experiment.
Break It Into Discrete Tasks
Focus on one chore at a time, like dusting the whole house from top to bottom or scrubbing all the baseboards. Crossing completed tasks off your list provides a sense of visible progress.
Listen to Audiobooks or Podcasts
Make cleaning time double as entertainment or learning. Listen to an audiobook that transports you or a podcast that sparks your curiosity while you tidy up.
Reward Yourself Afterwards
Plan something enjoyable as a reward for completing your cleaning. It can be as simple as taking time to enjoy a cup of tea while sitting back and admiring your clean space.
Cleaning Your Way to a Healthier Life
The takeaway? With the right approach and mindset, the act of cleaning truly can be transformed into an engaging hobby that enriches your life in many ways. It provides a creative outlet, brings a sense of order, and forges a closer connection to your living space. Once viewed as a recurring chore, cleaning can become a rewarding ritual to look forward to.
So don’t feel guilty the next time someone catches you enthusiastically scrubbing the bathtub. Let them know they’ve witnessed your favorite hobby in action!
FAQs – Is Cleaning a Hobby?
How do I start enjoying cleaning?
Pick one small cleaning task that you find satisfying, like organizing a drawer, and set aside time to devote your full attention to it without distractions. Add music or podcasts to make it more enjoyable.
Can doing household chores be a hobby?
Yes, you can transform cleaning into an engaging hobby by approaching it with a sense of creativity, experimenting with tools and techniques, and setting aside designated time to focus just on cleaning.
What do you call a person who likes cleaning?
A cleaning enthusiast, tidying aficionado, or cleaning hobbyist are all terms used to describe someone who gains enjoyment from cleaning activities.
Is cleaning your house considered exercise?
Yes, cleaning tasks like vacuuming, mopping, and scrubbing provide physical activity that can burn calories and improve your cardiovascular health when done regularly.
Is it normal to consider cleaning as a hobby?
Yes, it’s entirely normal to consider cleaning as a hobby. Many people have taken up cleaning as a form of stress release, a productive way to spend their spare time, or even as a form of exercise. Whether it’s dusting, arranging furniture, or washing dishes, many derive a deep sense of satisfaction from these household chores. A clean house certainly offers a more comfortable and inviting living space. This is reflective of one’s ability to maintain cleanliness and order in their environment.
