The Famous Emergency Clean Sweep, Messie-style
A place to go for encouragement.
“Your house” refers to the parts your visitors will see. Ignore the rest!
Set your timer for 15-30 minutes at a time and work through this list methodically. When the timer goes off, take 15 minutes (no more!) to reward yourself for your hard work. Then get back to work!
Spray the toilet bowl and sink with cleaner, let sit.
Get all the cruddy old food out of your fridge. If you’re overwhelmed and desperate, just throw it all out, container and all. If you have time, dump the leftovers and put the dirty dishes in a sink-full of hot, soapy water.
Collect all laundry. If it hasn’t been folded and put away, and company’s coming, consider it dirty and plop it all in front of your washer. If you have extra time, start a load washing.
Collect all dirty dishes, cups, plates, etc. Fill the sink with hot soapy water and let the dishes soak. If your dishwasher is empty (and you’re lucky enough to have one) fill it and start it.
Walk around your house with a big garbage bag and toss all obvious trash in, including old newspapers! (If you are saving a paper to clip something, remember, everything comes back around. Only save it if it’s an article or picture about someone in your family or a friend! This is hard to do, but this one step can work wonders!) If you recycle, carry around your various recycling containers, or sort later.
You can try to do these three things in one round, carrying three separate containers, but that’s more than I can handle, so I just waste the motions.
THIS IS IMPORTANT: DO NOT STOP TO READ OR PLAY WITH ANYTHING YOU FIND. THIS IS IMPORTANT!
Now, it’s time to work around your room methodically, clockwise or counterclockwise. It is your choice. Collect all toys in a container to return to the kids’ rooms, playroom or designated toy area.
Collect all magazines and books and pile neatly somewhere (bonus points if you have bookcases with shelves available.)
Collect all bills and place near the computer or desk. This is an important step, and this is why I don’t say just stuff everything in a box.
Check the washer by now and transfer clothing to the dryer. Wipe down the bathroom sink and brush out the toilet. Spray and wipe the seat and make sure there’s plenty of toilet paper available.
By this time, it should look a little better, possibly good enough for company. Now is the time to dust all the shelves, vacuum and mop.
It may not be perfect, but this is okay for now. Good job!!!!
The TRUE Emergency Clean Sweep
The TRUE emergency clean sweep is to sweep everything into the center of the room and pick through. This is how I cleaned my room both times when I was a teenager. This is appropriate when you won’t have company for the next few weeks.
48 comments
Celete Moon
January 13th, 2003 at 8:02 pm“THIS IS IMPORTANT: DO NOT STOP TO READ OR PLAY WITH ANYTHING YOU FIND. THIS IS IMPORTANT!”
LOL!! This _is_ my biggest problem - all the stuff that is left out is half finished projects, so naturally I *just*can’t* clean up until I finish each project. Which, of course, will never happen.
Re: the True emergency clean sweep - um, the kids’ playroom gets used like that - their toys get swept with a rake into it for dealing with later. Hey, it isn’t ideal but it works.
Monica
February 17th, 2004 at 7:54 pmI often use garden tools in my cleaning…a rake and snow shovel are common impliments in my clean sweeps!
Judy
March 7th, 2004 at 5:57 pmEmergency clean sweeps here include collecting cat toys belonging to three cats who leave their furry catnip mice in strange places. I have trained one cat to fetch his mice and put them in a little basket but the othwer two are hopeless.
It is also virtually impossible to NOT stop and play with things (especially cats) while you are doing a clean sweep. It took me three days to do an entire cleam sweep that included a messy basement and disaster back porch. I didn’t stop to play, I hardly stopped to breahe and eat. I never want to have a cleaning marathon like that again. I am resolved to try harder to maintain this now ucluttered house–and I’m going to try to get that cat who fetches to pick up his brother’s toys, too!
Laura Mazac
March 16th, 2004 at 10:55 pmI can’t believe there is a website for people like me. I have had so much fun reading all this and have even gotten motivated to make the clean sweep. “Collect all toys in a container to return to the kids’ rooms, playroom or designated toy area.” GREAT IDEA!
If only there was a way to keep a house clean once you put forth all that effort! However, the part about running hot soapy water for the dishes is only a good idea if you can actually get back to the sink to wash them before the water is cold and slimy. Trust me…I know from experience. Best wishes to all the un-motivated housekeepers like myself.
Pamela Harper
March 30th, 2004 at 2:15 pmI have gotten so much help from reading about my messy house and let me tell ya with four kids ranging from 12 to 1 you have to find a way to get it all done, lol. this sight has helped me alot and thank you ladies for your help on how to clean up my messy house.
Andrea
July 14th, 2004 at 7:30 pmOMG, I can’t believe I found this site…it’s all about ME. I have a great Emergency Clean Sweep tip….if you have pots and pans that need scrubbing and you just don’t have time AND you will not be cooking for your company. Throw them all into your oven for later cleaning. AND if you fill them with hot soapy water, they will almost wash themselves as they sit.
Susan
August 19th, 2004 at 2:47 pmI truly enjoy this website. I’ve discovered a great tip that works for me. I actually rented a storage space for my junk. I know that this is not ideal and it is sort of expensive, but WOW…I can walk around my home now without tripping over things (and there’s a lot less tears, too). I spend a half hour or so, sorting through the storage unit every week to toss/donate stuff and then close the door and go home. I rarely see my clutter anymore and normal cleaning is so much easier. It is a life saver for me! It is also cheaper than renting/buying a bigger house.
Tami
December 4th, 2004 at 8:48 amJust something to consider…. with the cost of renting a storage unit these days, it might be cheaper to replace the things later if you need them (of course this does not work with sentimental things). I’ve just always wondered why people would pay to store things, even furniture, sometimes for years, when if they saved that money they could buy brand new things when they are ready for them….
just my two cents! of course, do whatever works for you!!!
have a great day!
Mari
December 27th, 2004 at 1:26 pmThank you so much for this site as I have three children under three it is very easy for me to get messy and then get ooverwhelmed and say forget it. but you site has helped me not to get overwhelmed and keeps me in linme and i have printed out so much and it has helped me much!!
Bob
February 8th, 2005 at 8:59 pmROFL…. great ideas… this site is so cool. Since becomeing a stay at home dad I have been at a loss as to HOW to get started with the clean-up… thanks for the ideas. Everyone be safe and good luck with cleaning… it just never ends!!!
FormerJunkJunkie
April 1st, 2005 at 11:06 amAs a former junk junkie, I’ve spent the past five years learning better habits and organizational skills - and what a difference! Friends I’ve made since that time don’t even believe that I used to be a “clutterbug” and now I help them declutter and organize their houses. Isn’t that a scream! I’m still working on improving (only my husband knows it’s an ongoing process) and enjoy reading everyone’s hints and tips on this site and others. My latest project: NO MORE PROJECTS! No more “cool stuff” brought home in hopes that I’ll turn it into something, paint on it, fix it, or do something creative with it UNTIL I finish the last “cool stuff” project I brought home! I’m sure this declutter lifestyle will be an ongoing improvement process - and you all have a part in helping. You’re inspirational - and the tips are always helpful. Life is so much BETTER decluttered! Thanks so much!
Jenne
April 1st, 2005 at 11:19 amHi! Thanks for your comment– I know exactly where you’re coming from. I crochet (although being in grad school has seriously cut into my crochet time) and I have to discipline myself to STAY AWAY from the yarn areas. I have enough yarn for four afghans and at least two baby blankets, so I shouldn’t even look at yarn for a year. When I’m done with school, it will be a challenge to keep myself under control.
Detta
April 6th, 2005 at 4:01 pmI admit it! I hate HouseCleaning! BUT.. I have learned that mess adds to my sense of being out of control and makes me respond poorly to stress factors in my home ( 3 kids in a tiny condo! what stress?!). SOOO a necessary Evil?! I have to say though that the one thing I hate are people who tell you.. YOU NEED TO CLEAN UP! you will feel so much better if you clean up! etc Perhaps it stems back to my teenage rebellion years… but man!
As for the site? about to get the timer out and have at ‘er! The trick will be to see if i can keep it up for more than a week. New fad and all
Angie
December 8th, 2005 at 6:12 amAbout four years ago I found Jenne’s site, and the first page I used was the emergency clean up. My then partner (now husband) had visitors coming to his place and it was a sheer mess. On the other side - I was not a declutter fan either.
I tried it out and I had his place spotless within two hours (at least where the visitors could see).
It worked for me - I have over the years decluttered everything, and housework is no longer tedious.
Thank you, Jenne, for a great site.
memyselfandiau
December 9th, 2005 at 4:23 pmHi I am new. Love the Emergency Tips. I would just like to add - if you move things away from the doors of “uncleaned” rooms, you can leave the door just a little open. this way, people get a glance at the tidy area, and are deluded into thinking the rest is also tidy!!!
Sally
Amy
April 12th, 2006 at 3:21 pmHi! Someone just pointed me to your site!
I can’t wait to poke around some more, but I’m wondering if it’s still current???
Amy
Jenne
April 12th, 2006 at 3:31 pmHi, Amy! This site is still being maintained, but I’m in grad school right now, so I’m not writing new articles. Check out the forum, though. There is an active community there. And any new articles will show up on the main page.
Kris
November 27th, 2006 at 1:42 pmThis website is great, but the thing I hate about cleaning, you do the dishes, wash, dry, fold and put aways the clothes, mop the floor, clean the bathrooms and then not even 9 months to a year later, you have to do it all again! Maddening isn’t it?
jenny
December 11th, 2006 at 11:29 pmI am so amazed I found people like me. This is funny but I owned my own cleaning bussiness for six years. Now I am so embarresed to let people in my own home. I have this stupid concept “if I can’t do it all(perfectly) I won’t do it at all. With that I have to say my 3 year old fell asleep in my laundry room which is my bedroom, that you can not see any of my floor. we had to call the police cause we could not find her.(well we finally found her in the laundry and the policeman said “well I can see why you could not find her” talk about embaressment!!!) Thank God for encouraging people like you!
Jane
December 14th, 2006 at 8:07 pmJenny,
Did you really lose your 3 year old in clothing??? That makes me feel a little better. Thanks.
Lauren
January 5th, 2007 at 9:15 pmJenny, I spent days digging out my laundry room a couple of years ago. I was so excited when I finished and could see the smooth white floor. I called in my husband and kids, and said “look what Mommy did!” proudly. My oldest daughter, then about 3 years old, burst into tears. When we finally calmed her down, she explained that she had been sneaking down every night after bedtime to sleep in the laundry pile because it was like a “weelie lawge nest, and now it’s gone fowevo!”
Val
January 6th, 2007 at 12:24 amSometimes, after putting in 12-14 hour days working in my classroom, I enter my own home and feel a sense of dread coming over me. The house is “clean,” but so cluttered with cool stuff that I get ill. All of my friends love my home, telling me it’s like coming into Mary Engelbreit’s home. What they don’t realize is that it is a full-time job! I am an expert with Swiffers (all around out 100+ teapot collection, 40 elephants-with-their-trunks-raised collection, 61 ceramic dogs from the ’40’s collection, 5 antique fishing creels collection, 15 mini-grand-pianos on top of the real grand piano collection, children’s purses collection, heart-shaped boxes and rocks collection, 5 fairy gardens, 23 old fishing lures collection, hand-painted wooden chicken bowls collection, sports memorabilia, native-fish-of-Oregon sculptures, Homer-Laughlin platters and serving dish collection, quilt collection, ARRRGGGGHHH!!) You get the picture, right? I love everything, but there’s too much to manage for a mom/teacher/wife/gardener/pet-caretaker/daughter/friend like me. I’ve come to the Web seeking guidance and support and it looks like I’ve found it!
Jenne
January 9th, 2007 at 2:14 amVal, that sounds exhausting! One trick I do is putting away about half of my collectibles in boxes and storing them. I rotate them when I feel like it (usually not more than twice a year.) I love my “stuff,” but it starts to feel suffocating if there’s too much.
Val
January 16th, 2007 at 6:49 pmRight on, Jenne! I, too, have stored a bunch of stuff (like about 100 of those ceramic dogs and my entire rocking horse collection) in the attic. It does help, but I think I need therapy!
I have a friend who once told me she never gets upset when something breaks. I rarely do, either. The reason? My grandmother said it is never good to be upset about losing something that cannot love you back.
Robin
January 23rd, 2007 at 8:23 pmLadies,
I was one of those 3 year olds who hid in the laundry and my parents called the police to find me. I remember it so clearly - I saw her peek into the room, and I waved my little fingers at her.
Now, 35+ years later, I still have to go over to help her declutter her house. She is one of those “I, or someone I know, might need this someday” type hoarders. I have inherited the gene, and am fighting hard against it. Love this site!
mary hull
February 18th, 2007 at 3:23 pmwow this page sure motivated me , heck i am so lazy at times and i dont visit anyone to see how their house looks therefore leaving me clueless of what to do . thanks so much for my messy house now i will get started. mary hull kickmonkey642000@yahoo.com
Dodie
March 14th, 2007 at 11:17 amJenne - How is grad school coming? You know I need to go back and get my Masters Degree so I can get a pay raise - the only way to get one in education. I am actually AFRAID. I am fearful that I am not as smart as I used to be, and that I won’t be able to go to school effectively and still work. Not working is not an option as I am single and have a mortgage. Any advice would be appreciated. I have loved this site for years. Miss the comment about the “child slave” that was on the Emergency Clean when you had it posted on about.com. That was funny. I do your emergency clean as my weekly cleaning along with the fly stuff. I wish I had more energy when I get home from school for decluttering. My house looks good, everyone says so, and the clutter isn’t obvious, but there are three closets that need to be cleaned out and 4 purses. I wish I could get to where I wasn’t creating any clutter to have to later clean out. After all, yes, the bills go on the desk, but when the stack gets to be 18 inches high, they’ve got to go somewhere. Advice is much appreciated!
Allyson
June 25th, 2007 at 8:51 pmI think I have some real issues myself. lol I am a terrible pack rat/hoarder or what have you. I love antique furniture, home decor items, pretty stuff, scrapbooking, and you name it. LOL I have 5 kids, and as much as I have right now (belonging-wise), I always seem to find more to bring home. My problem stems from my second marriage, when I was married to an extremely abusive, frivolous jerk who never cared if we had what we needed or wanted. He would be gone alot, spending money on stupid stuff here and there and gambling away the rest. (For example: my son needed a bed, but his wonderful stepdad decided it wouldn’t kill him to sleep on a old mattress on the floor because the jerk wanted to buy quilts on ebay.) Everything I had that I cared about or that was nice in any way, he destroyed during our marriage or before I got my stuff moved out after leaving him. So, ever since then, I have felt compelled to have the things I never could with him. Very dangerous emotions for a messy to have….
Emergency Clean Sweep
June 28th, 2007 at 9:01 am[...] I should probably do this. It’s either that or just start pitching stuff off the balcony. [...]
Ginger
July 6th, 2007 at 12:12 amI recently started to have my own clutter problems and went to my elderly mother and fathers house to find a really bad horror type of situation with clutter everywhere. They still wont let me throw stuff away and I just want to cry or give up. I hate that they are spending there last days this way. what can I do except just take over. I know it makes them feel bad when I there youngest tells them they need to do this or that. How do I get them away so I can fix the house and show them how nice it is clean. I am so afraid I will end up the same way.
DeBora
July 14th, 2007 at 5:26 pmI used to be registered here, but I haven’t been here in such a long time. (College does that to people) Anyway, I would like to rejoin, if possible. I am home for summer break and I really need some motivation to clean. Having a hubby at home most of the time, you can just imagine how bad my home has become while I am living away from home.
I would appreciate the opportunity to be a member here. I understand that spam thing. I am a moderator at a forum somewhere else and it has really been bad lately!
DeBora
DeBora
July 16th, 2007 at 7:49 pmMy hubby and I are planning to set aside a couple of days to spring clean this house. One day will be spent decluttering and another day will be spent doing the actual deep cleaning. I have been away at college, for the most part, so this house looks like a bachelor pad. lol
Clutered and need help !
August 11th, 2007 at 4:11 pmI am an at home mom and I have a clutered house. I want to clean it but I have three beautiful kids I feel like I am neglecting if I try and get the cluter gone. I feel like a bad mom because I keep thing that I feel are important to me. For example my dad has been gone for 6 years now and I still have not got given up anything that was his yet. i don’t have a mom. my dad was all I had so I have kept everything that was his. Because I would feel like I was getting read of thing that belong to the only parent that cared about me. I love my kids and I want them to have a good life i just don’t know where to start. Paper all over the house and once I start getting some of it cleaned up my husband helps put it back again. I feel like I am urning my wheels and getting no where.
y0ur-m0m
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:03 pmwhy do you all even care about this! this is the stupedist site that I had ever seen! you have no lives…
ps. I have a clean house - haha!!! :]
Clara Tisdale
August 30th, 2007 at 1:16 amHi,
your-mom,
you are probably as stupid; shortsighted; opportunistically mean as you sound.
Mayne
September 7th, 2007 at 3:39 pmI love this emergency clean sweep. I’ve been using it since Jenne had it as an article on about.com around 2000 or 2001. Still works just fine! And, my house is clean! I love my home. Is every closet perfect? No, there is one that definitely needs work. So what! I’m thrilled that things are better than they were! I love this site. Jenne has inspired me to try to go to grad school. I’ve been putting it off out of fear. Jenne, how do you do it?
Andy
September 30th, 2007 at 6:01 amGinger, being a hoarder of kinds myself, I did some research into the psychology of hoarding. - Very interesting, but anywasy, one of the things that seemed clear was that getting rid of hoarders stuff for them is not a good way to go, and apparently can do real psychological harm. I really identify with how you’re feeling and that desire to fix a problem or make it right for your parents, but be wary of really distressing them. I think this is a great site, very helpful, and so nice to be in good company.
Andy
Collectibles
October 24th, 2007 at 11:06 pmI am always on the lookout for antiques for my house. Garage sales seem to be the best place to find them at a reasonable price.
Mayne
January 8th, 2008 at 12:25 pmJenne - just want you to know I start grad school next week.
Anony...
January 26th, 2008 at 5:37 pmhow do you deal with a father who’s so stupid that he’d never want to throw any of his student’s work away and keeps it all over the house and outside in the back (the ones in the back are moldy and wet from weather ’cause they’ve been there for more than 5 years. HE keeps everything and neighbors who move just use our backyard to store their stuff until they feel they want it. I hate living like this, but if I eventouch his stuff, he gets mad and I get punished (I won’t say the punishment, you probably know). I don’t know how or even if there is hope for me to live in a clean environment until i’m grown-up. I can’t invite friends over, or I’ll die of shame and embarrassment. I’ve been so mad at my dad, I even give blame to my mom for marrying him and making excuses for the mess. It even comes to me wanting to die! I can’t take it any longer! I need help, fast! That so-called-dad better clean up his act. I told them that they were selfish for not thinking about our feelings (the kids) of this house and only doing what they want. The kids have thrown over half of our possessions away, but what do the adults do? Can someone please help?
floren
February 17th, 2008 at 10:31 amMy house has been messy, really really messy for months maybe a year. My bathroom toilet, I have two boys who always mess the toilet. There’s 3 bedrooms, a den, living room, kitchen, laundry room, three bathrooms, walk-in closet that I can no longer walk-in. I work 12 hours 5 days a week. Please help me get motivated. Getting a cleaning help or maid is out of the question.
PLEASE HELP ME WHAT TO DO !!!!
Jenne
February 24th, 2008 at 6:47 amMayne, Congratulations! A lot of it is just putting one foot ahead of the other… it’s worth it!
Floren, I hope things are starting to look better for you! I’ve been so swamped that things have gotten out of control at my house, too. Now that it has gotten to the point where I can get nothing done at home, I have to put a stop to it. I’ve come back to this site to help myself! I will be posting more links and articles in coming months.
Hey Grandma
February 26th, 2008 at 11:28 amOh my gosh! This is me- there are more people like me! I’ve battled depression a loooong time and am finally getting it under control, but now I’m truly seeing the mess.
I’ve seen versions of the Clean Sweep method for years and I know they work in an emergency. I’m declaring this an Emergency, with a capital ‘E’! I need order for my sanity! :-p
Floren~ I can’t imagine working those hours AND trying to take care of everything! Hang in there. I know for me that it’s important to start with what’s bugging me the most. Sometimes that means the MBR, even though the kitchen’s a disaster! My Dh doesn’t get it, but that’s okay.
Do you maybe have a friend, a TRUE friend, who could work with you?
Jenne~ Thank you for keeping this site going and for all your hard work! Even though I joined years ago and just started posting, I can’t tell you how grateful I was to find it still here just when I needed it most! I’m truly looking forward to becoming a regular part of the community!
Teresa
Hey, Grandma! >^..^
February 26th, 2008 at 11:31 amLOL- Thought I’d explain the ‘name’ I used! We’re raising our 6 yr. old Granddaughter and 99 out of 100 times she starts every conversating with, “Hey- Grandma…”.
robin
February 28th, 2008 at 1:34 amMy daughter Joy is extremely messey. She leaves her clothes everywhere. Pigs could live happy in her enviroment.The dust on the floor migles with what ever material lays upon it.She never cleans. I can’t invite people over because of my embarrassment. I have tried to help her clean it up several times.it gets worse. what can we do about it?
Torrey
March 18th, 2008 at 11:51 amWow, I have found my tribe.
luanne
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:13 pmIt’s great to know I am not alone and there are some great ideas on this site. Thank you.
Dodie
April 9th, 2008 at 3:24 pmHi, Jenne! I went back to grad school following you - so far I’m doing very well in my classes while still working full time. Can’t say the house looks good right now though. I’m sitting here getting ready to do the emergency clean because I can’t stand it any more. LOL> I know I love it when the house is clean, but my daily habits are poor. If I could jst not make the messes,… Time to dump the fridge, etc. :*)
PS I see I’ve logged on in two different ways. I am Dodie/Mayne. (mayne is my email)