The Economy of Cleaning

I love a clean house. It makes me feel like I am on top of things, like I am ‘adulting’ well. Clean environments feel warm and welcoming; truly relaxing. What is the first thing people do when they want to sell something (like a house or a car) for an optimal price? They give it a thorough cleaning. 

So during my break I looked forward to cleaning my house top to bottom. (I did get the top done; but the bottom may have to wait until Spring). Cleaning is both a want to do and a should do for me.

I love how when you clean a space you get instant results, unlike at work or other activities like exercise. As there is this direct connection between effort and results, it rejuvenates me and always puts me in a better mood.

Cleaning also has health benefits and saves you time (once your home is cleaned and organized) as you can find things and navigate your household tasks better. It can even increase your material abundance.

Yes, it can save you money. Let me explain. Imagine you are deep cleaning your child’s room (or your room, if you do not have a child). Once you pulled out the laundry and started organizing you find: random money – a total of £42 pounds, lost trainers, a lost formal dress outfit, 11 blue pens, 2 iPhone chargers , 5 water bottles, art supplies, 1 orange (a snack for later?) and about 101 socks.

This has direct material value. The estimated replacement cost of those lost items could be about £160.00 pounds. Now that you have found them, you will not have to repurchase them.  In addition, you have found an additional £42.00 taking your material value of your deep clean to £202.00!

Not only that, but while cleaning you were able to inventory the child’s items. Due to life’s mysteries, you realize the child has 20 undershirts, more socks than can be counted, but is dangerously low on jeans and T-shirts. Now that you have a list, when you shop you will be buying just what they need, and not extras of what they don’t (like even more socks) that will add clutter and add no value to your household.

Therefore this day of deep cleaning your child’s room (hopefully with them helping so they can learn) created £202.00 in value along with the pleasure of having a clean space.

What value has cleaning brought to you?

Disclaimer: This article if for educational purposes only and is not personal financial advice.