Just the mere thought of having to clean and declutter your condo can take away all the enthusiasm out of you. It doesn’t matter how big or small the space is, the routine is just about the same.
But if they say time flies when you’re having fun and you do want to be done with your cleaning chores in a jiffy, maybe you need to add some fun to it.
There’s nothing fun in doing chores, you say? That really depends. Have you ever heard of “gamification?” While the term is new, the rationale isn’t. The University of Pennsylvania defines gamification as “the application of game elements and digital game design techniques to non-game problems, such as business and social impact challenges.” In short, it is adding fun in otherwise non-fun events such as condo cleaning to improve your life.
Gamification is a result of technology. There are gamification apps that will help you stay motivated and be more productive. But apart from apps and programs, you may also apply gamification in a more low-tech manner and find the best ways to make house chores fun.
Make it a family affair
It’s always more fun to clean the house with family. Chatting while scrubbing the floor makes things easier and more enjoyable. If you are decluttering old stuff and stumble upon items that remind you of your childhood, you’d all probably just burst into laughter. Having someone there to talk to while cleaning will make the experience more fun.
Scavenger hunt
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If you’re living in a condo with kids and want to involve them in chores as much as you can, you can do so by playing a game of scavenger hunt. Make a list of everyday items such as newspapers, shoes, and bags. Tell them to find the items, pick them up, and return them to their proper place. Make it fun and competitive by picking a winner.
Shoot some hoops
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If your family is involved or you called in some friends, set up a few trash bins around the house and take turns throwing trash as if shooting hoops. This will make cleaning chores more fun. For extra motivation, award an MVP cleaning trophy to the highest scoring cleaner.
Set the timer
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Are you having problems clearing the kitchen and dining table after everyone has had their dinner? Do they just pull away and go their rooms leaving you with all the dirty dishes?
Set the timer to 10 or 15 minutes and involve all family members. Instruct them to clean up the table, sweep the floor, wash the dishes or empty the trash. Assign an age-appropriate task per family member and your kitchen and dining area will be spick and span in no time.
Fold laundry and watch TV
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The secret to gamifying chores is completing them without feeling tired and worn-out. Folding the laundry, pressing clothes, and organizing the closet can be very stressful and can take a lot of your time. Let time fly by watching your favorite TV shows. You wouldn’t even notice you’ve finished folding a pile of clothes.
Listen to music
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One of the easiest and most effective ways to gamify house chores is to add music to the equation. You can make your own playlist or just turn on the radio. It’s always more fun to do anything while you’re singing to a song or dancing to a tune.
Upgrade cleaning tools
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It’s always more fun when using new tools. Replace your old dish towels with cute ones or get new dusting implements. You may also make your own organic cleaning agents to make sure they are safer and all-natural. Get a colorful caddy to store all cleaning materials that you can easily carry around the house.
Treat it as an exercise
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Have a new perspective when it comes to condo cleaning. Treat it like exercise so that you are motivated. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone—you get to clean the house and shed some pounds too. Wear an electronic fitness device while doing housework to monitor how many calories you lost. You would want to keep on going when you know you are losing some weight.
Download an app
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Believe it or not, there are cleaning apps that you can download. These gamification apps intend to make boring chores more fun. One of the most popular is Chore Wars, an app which gathers your household and assigns chores to each member. For every completed task assigned by the dungeon master, a point is earned and the household players get a higher rank. To add more challenge, you will encounter monsters as you progress with a task.
Take breaks
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Don’t be too hard on yourself. Have breaks while cleaning the condo. Take a few minutes off in between tasks and drink cold fresh juice, eat a piece of chocolate or check your Facebook account. Try to rejuvenate before you get cranky. This could be a form of reward, although rewards work differently for different people.
One of the advantages of condo living is its compact space. This means there’s not much to clean. However, that doesn’t mean you should take cleanliness lightly. Keep your space spotless through regular cleaning, but do it with fun and excitement by gamifying chores.
