When you think of a clean home or professional cleaning, you don’t typically associate it with mental well-being. Instead, you may think of the physical benefits, such as reducing allergies and preventing illnesses. However, a clean home can also have a significant impact on your mental health.
Research suggests that cluttered spaces can create stress, interfere with concentration, and lead to negative emotions like confusion and irritability. Conversely, a clean and organized home fosters a sense of control, boosts mood, and reduces anxiety.
While simply opting to clean seems like an easy solution, it can be a challenging and overwhelming task for many. This is where professional cleaning services come in.
What is a Professional Cleaning Service?
Professional cleaning is essentially cleaning done by trained and experienced individuals. These individuals have the necessary equipment, products, and expertise to thoroughly clean and maintain your home. They also follow specific protocols and guidelines to ensure your home is cleaned efficiently and effectively.
Cleaning companies are also more affordable than ever before, offering competitive pricing and customizable services. This is especially prevalent in the UK, where more and more professional cleaning companies are emerging due to increased demand. For example, a professional house cleaning in London was considered a luxury just a few years ago, but now it’s becoming a common practice for busy individuals and families.
How Can Professional Cleaning Improve Mental Well-being?
-
Reducing Stress and Anxiety
With busy schedules, work responsibilities, and family obligations, a clean home may be the last thing on your mind. However, living in a cluttered and dirty space can add to your stress levels and increase feelings of anxiety. By hiring professional cleaning services, you can eliminate the burden of cleaning from your to-do list. This not only frees up time but also reduces stress and promotes relaxation
-
Improves Productivity
As mentioned, a cluttered home affects cognitive function, leading our visual cortex to be distracted by objects and lose focus on the task at hand. Over the long term, this can affect productivity and hinder our ability to complete tasks efficiently.
However, with a clean and organized home, our minds are free to focus on the task we need to complete. This can lead to increased productivity and better performance in both work and personal life.
-
Sense of Control
Hiring professional cleaners gives you control over your environment without the burden of doing it all yourself. A clean and organized home can bring a sense of control, enhancing comfort and security. This is especially important for individuals who struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety or OCD.
-
Promotes Relaxation
While cleaning does release endorphins, the stress and pressure of completing tasks on top of a busy schedule can negate these effects. Even thinking about cleaning can cause some individuals to feel overwhelmed. By hiring professional cleaning services, you can relax and enjoy a clean home without the added pressure of doing it yourself.
-
Encourages Good Cleaning Habits
Professional cleaners are trained to use safe and effective cleaning products that promote a healthy living environment. They also have the tools and knowledge to target areas that may often be overlooked in our own cleaning routines, such as deep cleaning carpets and upholstery or sanitizing high-touch surfaces. These practices can eventually rub off on us and encourage us to maintain a clean and healthy home even when we are not using professional cleaning services.
-
More Time for Self-Care
Cleaning can be time-consuming, leaving little room for self-care activities that are important for our mental and physical well-being. By delegating the task of cleaning to professionals, we free up valuable time to focus on ourselves and engage in activities that bring us joy and relaxation.
-
Professional Expertise
Professional cleaners have the skills, knowledge, and experience to efficiently and effectively clean a variety of spaces. They know how to handle different types of materials and surfaces without causing damage, using dry or wet cleaning methods as necessary. This level of expertise ensures that your home is cleaned thoroughly and with care, giving you peace of mind.
-
They Often Use Eco-friendly Products
Eco-friendly cleaning, whether its vinegar mixed with water or specially formulated plant-based products, is becoming increasingly popular. It’s not only better for the environment, but it also helps to create a healthier living space for ourselves and our families. They’re less harsh on our skin, air quality, and overall well-being. Professional cleaners often use these eco-friendly cleaning products, making it easier for us to make the switch and reduce our carbon footprint.
-
Consistent Results
Some people are perfectionists, whether its the way the dishes are stacked in the dishwasher or how the towels are folded. With professional cleaners, you can expect consistent results every time they clean your home. They have a set routine and standards for cleaning, ensuring that no spot is missed and everything is left in its proper place.
However, it is important to set these expectations and standards with the cleaning company beforehand to ensure that you are satisfied with the results.
Can DIY Cleaning Also Improve Mental Health?
The short answer is yes. Well, atleast most of the time.
As mentioned, most people can reduce stress levels simply by keeping their place clean and organized. This is because the body has a natural disposition to feel less anxious when surrounded by cleanliness. However, there are other reasons why DIY cleaning can improve mental health, and they include:
- Contol: Cleaning allows you to take control of your environment, giving a sense of accomplishment and agency. This can be especially helpful for people who struggle with helplessness or lack of control in other areas of their life.
- Mindfulness: Cleaning can also be a form of mindfulness practice, allowing you to focus on the present moment and your surroundings rather than getting lost in anxious thoughts or distractions.
- Physical activity: Engaging in physical activity through cleaning can release endorphins and boost mood, similar to exercise.
According to a study, individuals who practiced mindfulness while washing dishes—by taking the time to smell the soap and immerse themselves in the experience—reported a 27% reduction in nervousness and a 25% improvement in mental inspiration.
However, it’s important to note that while DIY cleaning can have mental health benefits, it’s not advisable for everyone. If you lack the time, energy, or if cleaning triggers negative emotions, it’s okay to seek help from professionals or loved ones. It’s also important to find a balance and not let cleaning become an obsessive or compulsive behavior that hinders daily functioning.
Conclusion
Hiring a professional cleaner not only saves you time and energy, but it also provides consistent results and helps to create a healthier living space. With the rise of eco-friendly cleaning products and affordable pricing options, there’s no reason not to make the switch to hiring a professional cleaning service. It’s a small investment that can greatly improve your quality of life and give you more time to focus on the things that matter most.
So say goodbye to scrubbing toilets and hello to a sparkling clean home with the help of professional cleaners. Remember, keeping your home clean is not just about appearances, but about creating a happy and