Written by Angela Reviewed by Daniel

How to Start Cleaning a FILTHY, DISGUSTING House (Do THIS First!)

Walking into a house that is beyond messy, one covered in clutter, dirt, and who knows what else, can feel overwhelming. Whether you have let things pile up over time or you are tackling a neglected space, getting started is the hardest part.

But do not worry, there is a method to the madness. Instead of aimlessly picking things up or scrubbing without direction, you need a plan. And it all starts with one crucial step.

If you’re ready to transform your home from chaos to cleanliness, keep reading to find out exactly how to get started.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Overcome Mental Barriers First

Before you even lift a finger, you need to get into the right mindset. A filthy home can make you feel anxious, embarrassed, or even defeated before you begin.

The key is to break the process down and commit to just one small action at a time. Do not think about cleaning the entire house, just focus on the very first step.

Essential Preparation For A Successful Deep Clean

Once you have decided to clean, set yourself up for success:

Open the windows to let in fresh air and get rid of that musty, stale smell.
Turn on energising music or a podcast to make it fun and keep yourself motivated.
Wear comfortable clothes because you will be moving a lot, so dress the part.
Have rubbish bags and cleaning supplies ready so there are no excuses to stop once you start.

Step 2: Clear Out The Rubbish

The fastest way to make a filthy house feel instantly less overwhelming is to remove all visible rubbish. Grab a bin bag and go room to room, collecting everything that is obviously rubbish:

Empty food containers, wrappers, and old receipts
Broken items that cannot be fixed
Expired or unusable products
Any clutter that has no purpose

By doing this first, you will see instant progress, which will make the next steps easier.

Step 3: Focus On The Dirtiest Areas

person washing dishes wearing rubber gloves

Once the rubbish is gone, the biggest thing making the house feel disgusting needs to go next. This could be:

Dishes piled in the sink that need washing or at least loading into the dishwasher.
Sticky counters and surfaces that need a quick wipe down to make a huge difference.
A floor covered in crumbs, dirt, or dust that needs sweeping or vacuuming to clear the worst of it.

By addressing the biggest offenders, your home will start to look and feel cleaner almost immediately.

Step 4: Break It Down Room By Room

Rather than getting lost in the chaos, follow a simple structured approach:

Pick one area to start with, such as the kitchen, living room, or wherever the mess is worst.
Declutter first, removing anything that does not belong.
Wipe down all surfaces, including tables, counters, and furniture.
Sweep or vacuum to clear the last layer of mess.
Move to the next area, using the same steps.

Step 5: Create Daily Cleaning Habits To Keep Your Home Tidy

person cleaning stain on carpet with cloth

Once you have made a dent in the mess, keep the momentum going:

Spend five to ten minutes a day tidying up to prevent future mess.
Get into the habit of putting things back where they belong immediately.
Make a simple cleaning checklist to follow so things do not spiral out of control again.

Just Start!

The hardest part of cleaning a disgusting house is starting. But once you begin, even with something as simple as throwing away rubbish, you will create momentum.

Step by step, the space will transform, and so will your mindset about cleaning.

No more feeling overwhelmed. No more excuses. Just take that first step, and watch your home turn from filthy to fresh, one action at a time!

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