Getting through all your home cleaning tasks can be a challenge, but here’s a clever trick that can help: The 20/10 cleaning method. This process breaks down the cleaning process into 20 minutes of focused cleaning time followed by a scheduled 10 minute break.
Instead of getting overwhelmed and exhausted trying to get through all your cleaning at once—or taking an unscheduled break that lasts so long you don’t have time to finish cleaning—this method helps you stay energized and on task. But is this method actually effective? We asked cleaning professionals to weigh in and share their best advice for successfully implementing the 20/10 cleaning method.
What Is the 20/10 Cleaning Method?
The 20/10 cleaning method consists of 20 minutes of cleaning followed by a 10 minute break. The idea is to break down the cleaning process into manageable chunks of time and build in moments to relax. The method takes attention span into consideration and uses the reward concept to help boost energy and productivity. Spending an hour on a single cleaning task can leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed before you even finish the job, sometimes resulting in incomplete or ineffective cleaning. Breaking down the cleaning process into 20 minute sessions and 10 minute break is designed to combat these pitfalls.
Does It Actually Work?
If you’re wondering whether the 20/10 cleaning method works and if it’s something that cleaning professionals actually use, the answer is yes and yes! “The 20/10 method is effective because it is in keeping with our natural attention spans,” says Sofia Martinez, owner of Sparkly Maid Austin.
The cleaning expert shares that she has used the 20/10 method with her cleaning teams, and has even suggested it to her clients. Similarly, Forrest Webber, owner of Bear Brothers Cleaning, is a proponent of the method and says it absolutely works as long as you stick with it. “The key is staying consistent: Set a timer, clean with purpose for 20 minutes, and then take a solid, guilt-free 10-minute break,” Webber says.
How to Implement the 20/10 Cleaning Method
How you implement the 20/10 cleaning method can make or break its success, so we asked the cleaning professionals to share their best tips.
1. Stay Focused
Instead of jumping from one task to another during the designated 20 minutes of cleaning time, Martinez says it’s important to stay focused. “Spend each 20 minute block in a single, defined area, avoiding jumping between spaces,” she says. The expert explains that this gives you visible progress which, along with the prospect of a 10 minute break, leads to psychological motivation. Martinez recommends focusing on high-impact areas such as kitchens or living rooms first, as this is where results will be most apparent.
2. Prep Beforehand
One of Webber’s keys to successfully implementing the 20/10 cleaning method is to prep beforehand. This means having your cleaning supplies ready and jotting down a quick list of what you want to accomplish. “That way, you’re not losing time figuring out what to do next and you stay in the zone,” he says. Preparing your tools and supplies and having a cleaning plan lets the method build momentum, which Webber says helps avoid the all-too-familiar cleaning burnout.
3. Use a Timer You Can Hear (But Not See)
Watching the countdown is like watching grass grow—it doesn’t speed up the process. In fact, in the case of the 20/10 cleaning method, it’s distracting and will only slow you down. For this reason, Martinez recommends sticking to a timer that you can hear but can’t see.
4. Do Something Completely Different During the 10 Minute Break
For best results, Martinez suggests a complete change of activity during your 10 minute break. Ideally, it’ll be something that’s fun for you, whether that’s stepping outside or making a cup of coffee. “This mental switch delivers the relief more than the act of staying in the cleaning setting and those who do indeed disconnect retain more energy across cycles,” she says.
5. Don’t Be Too Rigid
“The biggest mistake is treating the method as rigid rather than an adjustable framework,” Martinez says. While 20 and 10 minute intervals are ideal for some cleaning tasks, the expert says that in some spaces or tasks a 15/7 or 25/10 breakdown may be more appropriate. “The trick is to break down daunting tasks into digestible pieces with embedded recovery time,” she says.