Inspirational Housekeeping Quotes: Wisdom to Motivate Your Cleaning Journey

"Yet housekeeping actually offers more opportunities for savoring achievement than almost any other work I can think of. Each of its regular routines brings satisfaction when it is completed. These routines echo the rhythm of life, and the housekeeping rhythm is the rhythm of the body. You get satisfaction not only from the sense of order, cleanliness, freshness, peace and plenty restored, but from the knowledge that you yourself and those you care about are going to enjoy these benefits."

- Cheryl Mendelson

"Out of clutter, find simplicity."

- Albert Einstein

"Malignant items don’t have to be reminders of bad times, like a breakup or a health crisis. They can bring back memories of loved ones or high points in your life. But if these memories leave you feeling sad or feeling that your life isn’t as good now, then the objects are causing you mental and emotional harm and have no place in your home. …The key to enjoying happiness and good health in a warm, welcoming home is to live IN THE PRESENT MOMENT surrounded by items that you cherish and that have meaning for you and your family. If too much of your time is spent replaying your greatest hits or struggling with old pain, you’re not making new memories of your present life."

- Peter Walsh

"Set up systems that help you keep the bedroom neat, so that even when you are tired or rushed, you can keep the special place calm and uncluttered. Have a place for everything so that when you undress you are relaxed."

- Alexandra Stoddard

"Housekeeping creates cleanliness, order, regularity, beauty, the conditions for health and safety, and a good place to do and feel all the things you wish and need to do and feel in your home."

- Cheryl Mendelson

"Being organized is not about being company-ready 24/7. It’s about being able to find what you need and restore order quickly."

- Monika Kristofferson

"If you have no systems, you have to reinvent your housekeeping or debate what to do first every time you do it, and the required mental effort is a major obstacle, especially when you are tired. But a tired working person is often able to do things that are routine and habitual."

- Cheryl Mendelson

"There’s memory clutter, which reminds you of an important person, achievement, or event from your past. I think memory clutter often gathers in the homes of people with some degree of depression. And then there’s “I might need it one day clutter, in which people hang on to stuff in anticipation of an imagined future. Among these folks, I’ve noticed a recurring theme of anxiety…Maybe it’s possible that the stuff we own and obsess over is the physical manifestation of the mental health issues that challenge our minds."

- Peter Walsh

"What I know for sure is that when you declutter – whether it’s on your home, your head, or your heart – it is astounding what will flow into that space that will enrich you, your life, and your family."

- Peter Walsh

"Your home should be a reflection of how you want to live right now, and for the next phase of your life."

- Martha Stewart

"Clutter robs us of life. It robs us socially, when we’re too embarrassed to have people over. It robs us spiritually, because we can’t be at peace in a cluttered home. And it robs us psychologically, by stealing our ability to feel motivated in our space."

- Peter Walsh

"A clean house is a happy house."

- Louisa May Alcott

"Cleanliness is not next to godliness, it is godliness"

- Mahatma Gandhi

"Clutter is the physical manifestation of unmade decisions fueled by procrastination"

- Christina Scalise

"Cleaning is the key to unlocking your potential."

- Marie Kondo

"A clean environment is a happy environment."

- Lailah Gifty Akita

"Getting organized in the normal routines of life and finishing little projects you’ve started is an important first step toward realizing larger goals. If you can’t get a handle on the small things, how will you ever get it together to focus on the big things?"

- Joyce Meyer

"Whether you live alone or with a spouse, parents, and ten children, it is your housekeeping that makes your home alive, that turns it into a small society in its own right, a vital place with its own ways and rhythms, the place where you can be more yourself than you can be anywhere else."

- Cheryl Mendelson

"Clutter is not just the stuff on your floor—it’s anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living."

- Peter Walsh

"Once you have a clear idea of your priorities – that is your values, goals and high leverage activities, organize around them"

- Stephen Covey

"What really does work to increase the feeling of having a home and its comforts is housekeeping."

- Cheryl Mendelson

"Home is the one place in the world where you are safe from feeling put down or out, unentitled, or unwanted."

- Cheryl Mendelson

"Start with the stuff (as most people are inclined to do when they try to conquer their clutter) and you are pretty much guaranteed failure. Start with the vision you have for the life you want and you have taken the first real step to long-term and remarkable change."

- Peter Walsh

"You are important enough to invest the time and energy needed for the change you want. Commit to becoming the person you wish to be and carve out the time for what needs to be done!"

- Peter Walsh

"If we could make our house a home, and then make it a sanctuary, I think we could truly find paradise on Earth."

- Alexandra Stoddard

"When we clear the physical clutter from our lives, we literally make way for inspiration and ‘good, orderly direction’ to enter."

- Julia Cameron

"Cleaning is the art of preserving human health."

- Nina Fedoroff

"If a gift has come to you wrapped in obligations and tied tightly with a ribbon of guilt, then it’s not really a gift at all. It’s a manipulation. A gift should be something freely given that enhances your life and reminds you lovingly of the giver. If it’s not, you simply should not give it a place in your home."

- Peter Walsh

"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."

- William Morris

"Everything in our surroundings speak for us, and if we accept living with vulgar design we must pay for it. Carling about aesthetics increases your sensitivity. The more we care about the small details, the more in tune to beauty we become, and the more we realize how seemingly insignificant items affects us."

- Alexandra Stoddard

""Home is the first point of investment. The first and most important thing to invest in is your home. Make sure your house is in good condition physically and energetically, make sure you’re paid up on the household bills, make sure you’re stocked up on supplies and food, make sure your home is furnished to your style and comfort, make sure you’ve got nice plants to clean the air, nice art, nice crystals and essential oils, nice things that promote your wellbeing…. Make sure your garden is growing nutritious plants. Invest in your household and your family because they have the greatest Return on Investment. And your investment in your home will be a magnet for many other different kinds of investments.""

- Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr.

"We have, instead (of soot and dirt), disorganization. We have this proliferation of goods. It’s the disease of the time."

- Cheryl Mendelson

"Intimate, necessary details add up to one’s private life. Select them with care because they are your life."

- Alexandra Stoddard

"Clutter is not just physical stuff, it’s old ideas, toxic relationships and bad habits"

- Eleanor Brownn

"Life is too short for you to be the caretaker of the wrong details."

- Alexandra Stoddard

"Get rid of clutter and you may just find that it was blocking the door you’ve been looking for"

- Katrina Mayer

"Beauty, like love, makes us happy, but we have to be keenly receptive to the seduction."

- Alexandra Stoddard

"Keeping baggage from the past will leave no room for the happiness in the future"

- Wayne L. Misner

"The more I examine the issue of clutter, the more effort I put into combating it, because it really does act as a weight."

- Gretchen Rubin

"When something small is right you can then forget about it and think about more lofty ideas."

- Alexandra Stoddard

"You can’t reach for anything new if your hands are still full of yesterday’s junk"

- Louise Smith

"Clutter-clearing is modern-day alchemy."

- Denise Linn

"Clutter is a physical manifestation of fear that cripples our ability to grow."

- H.G. Chissell

"Having too much of anything results in chaos, confusion and clutter."

- Geralin Thomas

"You can tell a great deal about a person by visiting his or her kitchen."

- Alexandra Stoddard

"Too many things in too small a space cut off flow, block creativity, and bury beauty, much like a bad cold can make it hard to breathe. Remove things from this space today."

- Laura Staley

"Cleaning is not a punishment; it's an act of self-respect."

- Kim John Payne

"The first step in crafting the life you want is to get rid of everything you don’t."

- Joshua Becker

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

- Leonardo da Vinci

"The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment."

- Marie Kondo

"The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing"

- Walt Disney

""Do not keep house. Let the house or flat go unkept. Let it go to the devil, and see what actually happens when it has gone there. At the worst, a house unkept cannot be nearly so distressing as a life unlived.""

- Rose Macaulay

""... as in all housework, there is something inherently redemptive in the process, and therefore something truly good. To rend usefulness and order from the soiled and dejected is always a holy work, howsoever trivial it might seem on the surface. But we do not live in the surface of things, not really, no matter how we might skim along the glassy crust above the deeper meaning of our days. The place where we really live, where the humblest things serve the highest ends and the most menial tasks are quickened by love, is down amid the unseen ordinary where sacred significance thrums through the practicalities of daily life.""

- Lanier Ivester

"Cleaning is not about how much you do but how much love you put into what you do."

- Mother Teresa

"Cleaning may seem like a daunting task, but remember: a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

- Lao Tzu

""Housekeeping is nothing more than a losing encounter with entropy.""

- Claire Oshetsky

"You can’t get much done in life if you only work on days when you feel good."

- Jerry West

"Don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good. Lower the bar. Actually, spending ten minutes clearing off one shelf is better than fantasizing about spending a weekend cleaning out the basement."

- Gretchen Rubin

"When all else fails, cleaning house is the perfect antidote to most of life’s ills."

- Sue Grafton

"A clean environment is the foundation for a clear mind and good health."

- Joshua Becker

"A tidy space creates a welcoming environment for well-being and creativity."

- Marie Kondo

"Keeping your physical environment clean is as important as keeping your internal environment clean."

- Deepak Chopra

"A clean space is like a blank canvas, ready for the beauty of life to be painted upon it."

- Alexandra Stoddard

"Cleaning is not about perfection, but about progress and improvement."

- Becky Rapinchuk

"At the worst, a house unkept cannot be so distressing as a life unlived."

- Rose Macaulay

""A messy house is a must - it separates your true friends from other friends. Real friends are there to visit you not your house!""

- Jennifer Wilson

""Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the sidewalk before it stops snowing.""

- Phyllis Diller

""Housework can kill you if done right.""

- Erma Bombeck

""All of us have moments in out lives that test our courage. Taking children into a house with a white carpet is one of them.""

- Erma Bombeck

""No one ever died from sleeping in an unmade bed. I have known mothers who remake the bed after their children do it because there is wrinkle in the spread or the blanket is on crooked. This is sick.""

- Erma Bombeck

""Cleanliness is not next to godliness. It isn't even in the same neighborhood. No one has ever gotten a religious experience out of removing burned-on cheese from the grill of the toaster oven.""

- Erma Bombeck

""My idea of superwoman is someone who scrubs her own floors.""

- Bette Midler

""Excuse the mess, but we live here.""

- Roseanne Barr

""I hate housework. You make the beds, you wash the dishes and six months later you have to start all over again.""

- Joan Rivers

""Housework is a treadmill from futility to oblivion with stop-offs at tedium and counter productivity.""

- Erma Bombeck

""There's something wrong with a mother who washes out a measuring cup with soap and water after she's only measured water in it.""

- Erma Bombeck

""I'm not going to vacuum 'til Sears makes one you can ride on.""

- Roseanne Barr

""I don't know why no one ever thought to paste a label on the toilet-tissue spindle giving 1-2-3 directions for replacing the tissue on it. Then everyone in the house would know what Mama knows.""

- Erma Bombeck

""I've buried a lot of my laundry in the back yard.""

- Phyllis Diller

"Maintaining a clean environment can lead to feelings of happiness, motivation, and good health."

- Lailah Gifty Akita

"I believe in cleaning, and I believe in getting stuff done. There are very few things that are therapeutic for me in that way."

- Meghan Markle

"Nothing inspires cleanliness more than an unexpected guest."

- Radhika Mundra

"When in doubt, throw it out. It’s better to live light than to live cluttered."

- Francine Jay

"Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions."

- Barbara Hemphill

"Cleaning is my favorite way to relax. I clear things out and get rid of the stuff I don’t need. When the food pantry and the refrigerator are organized, I feel less stressed."

- Jennifer Morrison

"I’m not going to vacuum until Sears makes one you can ride on."

- Roseanne Barr

"If your house is really a mess and a stranger comes to the door, greet him with, “Who could have done this? We have no enemies.”"

- Phyllis Diller

"Excuse the mess, but we live here."

- Roseanne Barr

"I have sporadic OCD cleaning moments around the house. But then I get lazy and I’m cured. It’s a very inconsistent personality trait."

- Chris Hemsworth

"Housekeeping is like being caught in a revolving door."

- Marcelene Cox

"My theory on housework is, if the item doesn’t multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, let it be."

- Erma Bombeck

"I don’t need a cleaning schedule. I have kids; they make messes on their own schedule."

- Angelina Jolie

"A bright person can always think of something better to do than housework."

- Ruby Lou Barnhill

"I hate housework. You make the beds, you wash the dishes, and six months later, you have to start all over again."

- Joan Rivers

"I always clean before the cleaning lady comes. If not, when I come home, I can’t find anything."

- Rita Rudner

"We dream of having a clean house, but who dreams of actually doing the cleaning?"

- Marcus Buckingham

"A recurring cleaning will make you a happy person."

- Maid Sailors

"Dust is a protective coating for fine furniture."

- Mario Buatta

"Decluttering isn’t just about organizing your home, it’s about freeing your heart from the clutter of the past."

- Unknown

"The art of decluttering is not about throwing things away. It’s about creating room for more of what matters."

- Unknown

"Cleaning isn’t punishment; it’s self-care for your environment."

"You don’t have to clean everything at once. Just focus on one task at a time."

"Cleaning is a never-ending battle, but a battle worth fighting."

"Don’t get discouraged by the mess. Focus on the progress."

"Cleaning and decluttering can be a very meditative experience."

"Having guests over is like a cleaning speed challenge I never signed up for."

- Unknown

"Please give me a 5-minute warning before you arrive, so I can make the house look like this mess took hours to create."

- Unknown

"Cleaning is not a burden; it's an opportunity for transformation."

"Cleaning is the foundation of a harmonious home."

"Cleaning is a tangible expression of love for yourself and those around you."

"A clean home allows for clarity and focus."

- Unknown

"Cleaning is a way to restore order in a chaotic world."

- Unknown

"Cleaning is a way to create space for new possibilities."

- Unknown

"Cleaning is a journey that leads to self-discovery and growth."

- Unknown

"A clean space promotes a clear mind and a calm spirit."

- Unknown

"Cleaning is a dance between chaos and order"

- Unknown

"Cleaning is an act of mindfulness and presence."

- Unknown

"A clean environment fosters happiness and peace."

- Unknown

"Cleaning is an act of self-discipline and self-respect."

- Unknown

"A clean house is a reflection of a well-lived life."

- Unknown

"Cleaning is an investment in your personal and emotional well-being."

- Unknown

"A clean space invites positive energy and new beginnings."

- Unknown

"Cleaning is the foundation for a balanced and harmonious life."

- Unknown

"A clean home brings clarity and inspiration."

- Unknown

"Cleaning is an act of love towards yourself and your space."

- Unknown

"A clean and organized space creates a sense of serenity and calm."

- Unknown

"A clean home is a platform for creating beautiful memories."

"Cleaning is a way to invite positive energy into your life"

"Cleaning is an investment in your physical and mental well-being."

"Cleaning your house is a never-ending task, but the joy of a clean space is timeless."

"Cleaning is not for the faint of heart; it's for the determined and the dedicated."

"Cleaning is not about perfection, it's about progress."

"Cleaning is the outward expression of an inward desire for order."

"A clean house is a canvas for a happy life."

"A clean environment nurtures a peaceful heart"

"Cleaning is a form of self-care that nurtures your environment and your soul."

"A clean home is a haven for relaxation and rejuvenation"

"A clean space promotes a positive mindset"

"Cleaning is the process of making visible what was previously hidden."

"Cleaning is the art of finding peace in simplicity."

"Cleaning is a way of showing gratitude for the space we occupy."

"Cleaning and organizing is a practice, not a project."

"A clean home is a sanctuary for the soul."

"Outer order contributes to inner calm."

"Cleanliness becomes more important when disease is rife."

"Don’t find yourself cleaning up the same mess twice."

"Cleanliness is next to godliness."

"There is no substitute for a clean home."

"Cleaning is not a chore; it’s a way of life."

"Cleaning is the first step towards self-care."

"Cleaning is the act of bringing order to chaos."

"Dust settles everywhere, even in the best-regulated houses."

"Dirt has so little cause for pride that it never boasts."

"Housework can’t kill you, but why take a chance?"

"We dream of having a clean house — but who dreams of cleaning?"

"Housework, if you do it right, can kill you."