A beginner's guide to: Tidying & cleaning (mindful)

organizing, home care, space maintenance

Mindfully tidying and cleaning promotes full attention on the task at hand. This focused approach helps reduce distractions, lowers stress and fosters a greater sense of clarity and accomplishment.

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Want to get into tidying & cleaning (mindful)?

  • • Open our free app for step-by-step support. You’ll get guides that help you start and stick with it. You don’t need to be a pro, just jump in and give it a go.
  • • You’ll also find other activities, with suggestions that match what’s most useful to you right now. Less thinking, more doing.
  • • Track what you do, make gains, and adjust as you go.

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Quick Start

Need a hand getting started? Our app is packed with beginner-friendly Practice Instructions for every activity—and way more where that came from. Hit the button up top and get moving.

What is mindful tidying & cleaning?

Mindful tidying and cleaning aren’t just about organising your space – they’re about being fully engaged in the process. Rather than rushing or letting your mind wander, this practice encourages you to focus entirely on each step, whether it's wiping surfaces or folding clothes. By concentrating solely on the task, you’ll notice your thoughts and emotions more clearly, allowing them to settle naturally without distraction.

As you clean, you might find a sense of relief as clutter disappears, along with feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment. Tidying can also foster a deeper appreciation for your environment, creating a space that feels more supportive. Slowing down helps ease the pressure of multitasking and promotes a sense of order. Ready to experience cleaning in a new light? Let’s explore mindful tidying together.

Why mindful tidying & cleaning is good for you

Early findings suggest mindful tidying lifts mood and sharpens focus. Organizing your space increases sense of control, reduces visual distractions and lightens emotional burden.

Sense of control

Focus area: Agency (Impact rating: High)

Creates conditions for a better mood

Focus area: Lightheartedness (Impact rating: High)

Strengthens couple harmony

Focus area: Social connection (Impact rating: Medium)

Boosts curiosity

Focus area: Curiosity (Impact rating: Medium)

Sharpens emotional awareness

Focus area: Emotional awareness (Impact rating: Medium)

People who love conscious living

Marie Kondo

Person

Jessica Alba

Actor

Virat Kohli

Sports

"Queer Eye" (Netflix Series)

TV Show

Want a closer look at tidying & cleaning (mindful)?

Ways to try it, what to expect, and how to stay safe. Read on!

Ready to tidy your space and clear your mind? We call this a win-win! Before you dive in, keep these helpful tips in mind to ensure a successful and satisfying first conscious cleaning experience.

Safety

⚠️

Use protective gear, and adequate ventilation where required.

⚠️

Avoid toxic exposure and maintain a safe cleaning environment.

What you might experience

🤔

"Where do I even start?"

😬

"Why is this harder than I thought?"

😊

"I’m starting to get into a rhythm."

🤷‍♀️

"Is this even making a difference?"

🙂

"Wow, I feel good after this!"

Start today
  • • Open our free app for step-by-step support. You’ll get guides that help you start and stick with it. You don’t need to be a pro, just jump in and give it a go.
  • • You’ll also find other activities, with suggestions that match what’s most useful to you right now. Less thinking, more doing.
  • • Track what you do, make gains, and adjust as you go.

Explore your options

Whether you go it alone, join a group, or work 1:1 with a teacher, we’ve laid out what each path can look like.

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Unexpected advantages

Ancestry, history, facts and other trivia

In "Friends," Monica Geller is known for her obsessive cleaning habits.

Dust is made up partly of human skin cells.

"Tidying is the act of confronting yourself – cleaning is the act of confronting dirt.” - Marie Kondo

The average person spends approximately one and a half years of their life cleaning.

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4 facts

Popular memes

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10 memes

Academic research we rate

Housework, Health, and Well-Being in Older Adults: The Role of Socioeconomic Status

Rodriguez-Stanley, J., Alonso-Ferres, M., Zilioli, S., & Slatcher, R. B. (2020). Housework, health, and well-being in older adults: The role of socioeconomic status. Journal of Family Psychology, 34(5), 610–620. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000630

The Influence of Living Conditions on Self-Rated Health: Evidence from China

Gu, J., & Ming, X. (2021). The Influence of Living Conditions on Self-Rated Health: Evidence from China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(17), 9200. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179200

No Place Like Home: Home Tours Correlate With Daily Patterns of Mood and Cortisol

Saxbe, D. E., & Repetti, R. (2009). No Place Like Home: Home Tours Correlate With Daily Patterns of Mood and Cortisol. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36(1), 71–81. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167209352864

Show more:

4 research pieces

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