The allure of a smooth surface, slightly glimmering. The fresh citrus scent lingering in the air. Yes, I’m talking about clean countertops. When I’m feeling stressed, anxious, or know I have a big task from work waiting for me ahead I turn to cleaning. Whether it is tidying up my space around me to create a clutter-free working environment or just to wind down, I start by scrubbing my countertops, then sweeping my floors, and even tackling the gunk on my stove. Sometimes, I work through my process with the faint sound of Friends re-runs playing in the background. Other times, it’s just me and my thoughts.
To me, there’s something particularly calming about cleaning. Whether it is folding laundry, scrubbing dirty plates, or wiping away oily stains, the feeling is addictive. And I’m not the only one who feels that way. Cleaning accounts on Instagram and TikTok have been rapidly increasing and along with its growing trend are creating a community of intriguing followers that document every challenging clean to get in on that hit of addictive satisfaction. Even if it’s only through a phone we cannot help but find ourselves glued to a screen while scrolling through cleaning content or seeing how other people do it. But why, exactly, does cleaning soothe stress?
How cleaning helps anxious thoughts
There is proven psychological reasoning behind why we chose to either clean or not clean during times of stress. When we clean, we complete a repetitive task over and over again. A repetitive task requires less active thinking—and allows us to accomplish something when other things seem out of our control.
There’s another aspect to anxious cleaning—the ability to visibly see our work. When life feels out of control and chaotic (like during a global pandemic), cleaning is a task in which we clearly see the results. Humans tend to lean into cleaning because we’re able to see a final outcome. And in the end, once we’re done cleaning, we get to light up that candle, and it’s…in a nice, clean space and it represents a tranquil environment.
This type of cleaning can also serve as a mindfulness practice. Taking the time to do something slowly, especially for those with high-functioning anxiety, can be helpful. However, it has also been proven that people suffering from deep depression feel like they are in turmoil of negative emotions that can become reflective of the environment they live in, where they could be so morally depressed that they neglect taking care of themselves, their health or their space which is an extension of their mental well-being.
Does watching other people clean have the same effect?
If you’ve spent time on TikTok recently, you may be consumed by #CleanTok. This side of TikTok is comprised of time-lapses of people cleaning a particular area of their house, almost serving as a form of ASMR for viewers. Personally, the minutes, or hours, spent scrolling through these videos often give me the same level of soothing satisfaction as cleaning my own space does. We actually still get that dopamine feeling as if we did the cleaning, but we didn’t. That’s why people are so obsessed with clean TikToks which has now even spread to Instagram because it still releases that same chemical that makes us feel good.
Top 8 accounts to follow for the best cleaning content.
Be sure to check out and follow the best cleaning accounts both on TikTok and Instagram to get your inner clean freak satisfied & be amazed at what these wonderful people can accomplish!
Go Clean
Auri Katariina
Not the Worst Cleaner
Vanessa Amaro
Clean with Nessa
Clean That Up
Lynsey Queen of Clean
Zapata’s Cleaning Service
Sometimes it can be an annoying task to do the dishes after cooking, and we know that watching these accounts clean is much more convenient than getting to work ourselves by scrubbing away disgusting messes, but the relaxing feeling you have once it’s done and you can sit back and relax on the couch while admiring your spotless kitchen is incomparable.
Ultimately, cleaning is an extension of our mental well-being. Our space and surrounding environment which is a reflection of our moods and feelings of being in control. We understand that not everyone is as fortunate to be in a mental state of mind that they can bring themselves to take care of the space around them let alone themselves. But luckily for us there exist accounts and kind-hearted people in the world that brings awareness to individuals suffering from depression so severe that they act as a helping hand or guardian angel in times of need.
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