Oftentimes, people identify cleaning and organizing as the same. They define it as cleaning as organizing and organizing as cleaning. But in reality, both of them have different approaches, purposes, and processes for how they’re done. Yet despite this, they are always connected with one another as both are essential.
In this blog, we are aiming to discuss with you what is cleaning and organizing, how they are different from each other, but both essential, at the same time, in your home or other spaces for you to function well everyday.
Cleaning: The Definition
In layman’s terms, cleaning is about the process of removing dirt, stains, rubbish, and impurities from areas whether on visible or non-visible surfaces. It is doing chores like sweeping, wiping, mopping, dusting, and washing.
The best example of where cleaning is usually done is in a house. Of course, you wouldn’t want to live in a house full of dirt and dust, right?
So, cleaning is important to keep your house away from dirt and dust, and, at the same time, protects your immune system. Untidy surroundings have the high potential of triggering your allergy and making you sick.
Organizing: The Definition
Organizing is the process of systemizing or putting things in order. It means sorting out items and clutter at home which, as others say, involves emotions while doing this process because it relieves stress and the burden of being unorganized. Oftentimes, it involves assessing your stuff or possessions to determine which should be kept, to be donated, or to be thrown away.
The process of keeping things organized is important because it keeps your mental state balanced and away from stress. For example, going home to an organized home drives out your stress from a long day of work and sets your mental condition to be able to rest and have a good sleep as there’s no eyesore and clutter in your space.
The Similarities Between Cleaning And Organizing
Despite the two having different definitions and processes, both are essential and share the same goal—of keeping you mentally and physically healthy—that benefits your wellbeing. For example, you won’t be able to organize your stuff without cleaning and cleaning leads you to organize. In short, they are always connected.
How Are They Different From Each Other?
They are both separate tasks.
Cleaning involves intensive physical tasks like swiping, sweeping, mopping, and/or dusting dirt that are done on a regular basis. The goal is for dirt and dust not to accumulate and build up which if it happens involves more time and effort to take care of. Also, cleaning regularly makes the task simpler, easier, and smoother as you do it.
On the other hand, organizing means decluttering—putting order to the process and eventually making a habit whereas you don’t let items that don’t belong in the room stay there. As mentioned earlier, organizing involves emotion when doing it as you have to create a systematic flow to maintain order. When you’re organizing things, you’re able to point out things that don’t belong to the group, like shoes doesn’t belong in the kitchen cupboard but in the shoe rack instead.
The Bottom Line
The fact is when you want a spotless and well-maintained home, the best approach is to do the cleaning and organizing together to achieve your goal. But the question is which process should go first?
Let’s put it this way: while there’s no firm stance on whether the egg or the chicken comes first, we know that both are important. And although it sounds funny to compare them to cleaning and organizing, it is still fair because we both benefit from them as they’re both important. When you’re cleaning, you can’t avoid doing the organizing. And when you’re organizing things, you’re also cleaning up the clutter.
The real answer to the question is it is based on the current situation of your house. But one thing is for sure, there’s an overlap between these two, one way or another when you’re doing them. You just have to assess, depending on the current state of the area you will take care of, whether organizing (which involves decluttering) or cleaning should be done first.
Let’s Get Organized!
Since 2013, Healthier Spaces Organizing by Laura Souders aims to help homeowners to have cleaner and more organized spaces. Her home for space organizing helps people not just to have an organized home but also to have an organized life that saves time, money, and energy. Promoting a healthy living lifestyle by creating an organized, peaceful environment is what Healthier Spaces Organizing’s goal is.
If you’re in the Central Pennsylvania area in need of help and assistance in organizing your home or looking to hire a speaker for a personal or corporate event, you can contact Laura today!
