If you’ve hung around TikTok for any length of time, you’ve seen a slew of cleaning hacks, everything from dangerous chemical mixing or the air fryer cleaning “hack” to more innocuous air conditioner cleaning tips.
While we’re left underwhelmed by many of the viral TikTok cleaning methods, the “Closing Shift” is one we can get behind.
@carissacleansitall closing shift! let’s shut down the house for the night #closingshift #cleaningmotivation #cleantok #housecleaning #reset ♬ That Couch Potato Again – Prod. By Rose
What is The Closing Shift Cleaning Method?
If you’ve ever worked in a retail or restaurant job, you’re familiar with the closing shift. It’s where you go around the business tidying up, taking out the trash, sweeping the floors, and ensuring everything is ready for the following day. The Closing Shift cleaning method applies this same logic to your house—spend a little time “closing” your home and wake up to a clean house in the morning.
Benefits of Tidying Up Before Bed
Aside from waking up with a clean house in the morning, there are many benefits of cleaning your home at night.
- Many people (especially mothers) report being unable to sleep well if the house is messy. Going to bed with a tidy home is one less thing on an already busy to-do list.
- Cleaning at night creates a routine that can help the day run smoother.
- The closing shift method can also create less stress and a greater sense of satisfaction by reducing the number of chores needed to be completed in the morning.
- Cleaning each night prevents the need for hours-long weekend deep cleans since everything is kept tidy.
The Closing Shift Cleaning Method Nightly Checklist
The Closing Shift method will vary by household. If you’re single or don’t have children, it could be as simple as washing the dishes, wiping the counters, and vacuuming. If you have children or a full household, picking up toys or trash and washing a load of laundry may be necessary to stay on top of things.
- Pick up trash/put away out-of-place belongings
- Switch out laundry, fold and put away one load of clothes
- Wash dishes/run the dishwasher
- Wipe down counters
- Sweep/vacuum
- Spot mop if necessary
Doing this will make your house easy to manage, and you can save on deep cleaning tasks like mopping the floors and cleaning showers and toilets for the weekend.
