I am finding in my home consultations, that the art of cleaning is slowly becoming a lost art, and I am not sure, why. -Many of the problems we have (mould, allergies, fatigue, disconnection) can be addressed by simply keeping our things clean and in good maintenance.

Perhaps, our lives are being taken over by professional responsibilities and there is just not enough energy left by the end of the day to start cleaning? Or is it because we actually don’t know how to do it? Do we see our home as a sleeping place only, as we go out for dinner, socialising, and entertainment?

With all those questions it is difficult to propose a solution. Maybe, there is not one, but 1000 possible solutions, and everyone has to find their own?

One advice I often give, is to change the view we have of cleaning as a chore. Many see it as demeaning, - and it seems to be pointless, too! Anyone who has ever vacuumed would know the feeling, when the place is dirty again the NEXT day!

So, - the attitude I suggest to you, is to enjoy cleaning as an art. It is a creative, constructive process that can be quite meditative and certainly most rewarding. Years ago, when I had a young son and worked long hours, I was unable to do anything but collapse at night. I had no energy left for him and felt bad about that. One day I saw the solution: Do the cooking and cleaning as a relaxing exercise: Relax, while doing the chores. Let me tell you that it really worked. I felt much better, happier and energised after doing the household chores, every night! My little boy ‘helped’ of course, after he finished with the schoolwork. :-) Today, both our adult children are pretty amazing cooks and housekeepers, as we can proudly say!

There is plenty of research now to show that our attitude changes the stress levels - and that there is ‘good’ stress and ‘bad’ stress - and that we can turn bad into good by simply owning the job.

Boundaries are also important, as you might decide to out-source the problem to a cleaner, or to negotiate tasks with your partner. Note that you are taking something away from yourself, when you outsource, though.

Skills are another major ingredient: Some learn cleaning from their parents, who involve their children with little jobs from a young age. Others need to acquire the skills, and that is not easy. Perhaps you can find someone in your wider family, who can teach you? There are some very proud masters of housework around, who would be more than happy to pass on their skills!

Like with any art, - it lives in the passion of the people. For our own sake, let’s keep it alive and - appreciate it. Feeling the satisfaction of the clear, clean, bright, powerful, and health-giving energy that a home can have, say Thank You to the house-keepers!

In my next blog, I will follow this up with the most overlooked areas, when it comes to cleaning.