25 oddly satisfying household chores

Home chores but make it fun

For most of us, cleaning the house is a necessary evil that we try to put off for as long as possible. However, every now and then there’s a chore that’s oddly enjoyable, whether as a means of working out pent-up frustration or as a soothing exercise in productive relaxation, plus of course the sparkling end results.

For inspiration on household jobs that won’t make you want to hit ‘snooze’, check out these 25 strangely satisfying domestic duties.  

Power washing

This is the perfect activity for a hot summer's day. Whether it’s a wooden deck, the patio, or a grubby fence, break out the power washer and enjoy a refreshing mist as you blast those surfaces clean.

You’ll find it’s incredibly satisfying to watch the dirt just wash away in straight lines.

Removing pet hair

A lint remover is a secret weapon against pet hair. This inexpensive but nifty gadget can effortlessly tackle stubborn fur and lint from carpets, pet beds and sofas.

Even if you think that your carpets look clean, believe us, the results after using a lint remover are super satisfying.

Mowing the lawn

If you only have an hour to spare, mowing your lawn will have a big impact on the overall look of your garden. The perfect Sunday afternoon or weekday lunchtime activity, it's incredibly satisfying to see a neatly trimmed lawn.

Bonus points for picture-perfect stripes that will make the neighbours jealous!

Cleaning the toilet

If mysterious toilet staining gives you the ick, an effective toilet cleaner is your best friend. For personal satisfaction as well as hygiene, it’s a good idea to deep clean your toilet at least once a week. This includes cleaning the inside of the bowl and wiping down the exterior, including the handle and seat.

For a deep clean without the need for scrubbing, try toilet fizz tablets, which are available in an array of scents too!

Removing painter's tape

It’s always satisfying to apply a fresh coat of paint to reinvigorate a space, and even more so to change up the colour for a completely new look.

Rollering is satisfying, but the very best part if you don't have the steadiest of hands for cutting in has to be removing the painter’s tape at the end to reveal a clean, precise line of new paint!

Deep-cleaning the sofa

If you have pets or children it can be a constant battle keeping the sofa clean and in tip-top condition. But, a thorough blast with a steam cleaner will make yours look as good as new.

Always ensure your cleaner is compatible first with your settee and clean from top to bottom, using overlapping strokes to ensure you don’t miss any spots. Be careful not to linger too long on any particular area.

Creating a cleaning calendar

Where would we be without calendars? Whether you prefer an app in your phone or a work of art on your wall, you know you’d be lost without those daily reminders about important things like dentist appointments and great-aunt’s birthdays.

If you struggle with keeping your cleaning schedule on track, you might try making a cleaning-specific calendar, appointing certain jobs for certain days or weeks, making sure everything gets done in a regular fashion. Plus, it will give you an excuse to break out those rainbow highlighters again.

Closet purging

Never underestimate the wisdom of Marie Kondo. Over the years we tend to accumulate clothes, without really eliminating those that no longer suit our bodies or style. If your wardrobe is becoming overwhelming, try going through it with Marie’s mentality.

Ask yourself – “does this item spark joy?” If not, put it aside to be donated to a good charity shop, or try selling items on a sustainable fashion retail website such as depop.

Colour coding your wardrobe

Rainbow highlighters, sticky-notes, Tupperware sets – we know the appeal of a good colour-coded system. It makes life just a bit more organised, plus it’s pretty to look at and satisfying to do.

If mornings are a stressor, try colour-coding your closet, making it easier to find clothes that match, and ensuring you’ll always be able to put your hand on that favourite red shirt!

Removing wallpaper

You were always told never to pick at the wallpaper as a kid, but boy was it tempting. However, if you’re confronted with some truly terrifying 60s prints in your new home that just have to come down, it’s finally time to start peeling.

There are several ways to remove wallpaper, including using a steam stripper, chemical stripping solution or a washing-up solution. But peeling by hand is an immensely satisfying sensorial experience, a great stress reliever and step towards home improvement.

Polishing silver

Polishing might not provide the same immediate serotonin boost as picking or peeling, but it can also be a very relaxing task.

Pop on your favourite Netflix binge, break out the polish, and enjoy a sense of accomplishment as you watch your silverware, candlesticks, or jewellery go from tarnished and dull to sparkling like new.

Pulling weeds

It might be hard work, but yanking up unwanted weeds from flowerbeds can be incredibly satisfying, and is an important part of keeping any yard or garden healthy.

Try to dig out weeds completely, including the roots to avoid regrowth. We recommend taking a before and after of this task for the ultimate satisfaction!

Reorganising cupboards

This is another activity that can benefit from the wisdom of Ms. Kondo or The Home Edit. Closet and cupboard reorganising is an excellent rainy-day activity, not to mention a future lifesaver for those moments when you’re frantically searching for a plaster or measuring cup.

With a place for everything and everything in its place, closets and cupboards go from nightmarish clutter to tidy, useful storage spaces.

Applying silicone

From making windows airtight to filling in the gap between the bathtub and the wall, applying silicone is hugely satisfying. Not only are these gaps unsightly, but they also become perfect places for mould and mildew to creep into and take hold.

The best way to combat both of these problems is with fresh silicone, which can be satisfying both in the knowledge of a job well done, and in seeing those gaps getting steadily filled in by smooth, clean lines. For best results apply masking tape to cover both sides of the line to be sealed, apply the sealant across the area, smooth out and then remove the tape before the sealant is dry.

Removing hard water buildup

Deposits formed from hard water-build up on taps and shower heads can seem nasty, but in reality they’re just mineral conglomerates that can easily be removed by a bit of elbow grease.

Scraping off the deposits with a toothbrush can be another sensorily satisfying job, plus you’ll get to enjoy a sparkling-clean showerhead when you’ve finished.

Organising the fridge

Chinese takeaway containers, old pizza boxes, mismatched Tupperware full of mysterious, unidentifiable ghosts of dinners past – it’s easy for our refrigerators to become scary places when we’re too busy to keep them tidy. However, having a clean, well-organised fridge is not only satisfying, it’s also important for hygiene as well.

Start by emptying out your fridge completely, scrubbing down all the surfaces with disinfectant, and then try reorganising based on purchase date, meal type, or the food pyramid.

Cleaning windows

Everyone wants to be able to view the world through rose-coloured glasses, but being able to view it through sparkling-clean windows would be a good second best.

Squeegeeing suds from a window is strangely satisfying, and don’t forget about the fantastic ASMR opportunities.

Dusting unusual places

Out of sight, out of mind may seem like an appropriate philosophy when it comes to awkward corners and hard-to-reach surfaces, but for those with allergies or asthma, those dust bunnies can be deadly, especially if that long-built-up dust gets disturbed by turning on a fan or moving a piece of furniture.

It may not be the most exciting of household tasks, but dusting unconventional places, such as ceiling fan blades, the tops of picture frames, or underneath larger pieces of furniture can be really satisfying.

Aerating your grass

You’ve got to love any task that requires a fun accessory. Lawn aeration, usually done in both the spring and autumn, is important to keep that neatly-trimmed grass healthy.

While you can purchase an aerating machine, it’s both more economical and a lot more fun to simply get lawn-aerating shoes, which let you perform the job by simply walking around your garden!

Organising drawers

Every home has one – a catch-all drawer full of office supplies, scrap paper, doctors’ phone numbers, old bills, and the occasional random gadget no one quite remembers the purpose of. While these drawers no doubt have a sort of eclectic charm, they are also far more useful to us when we can find what we’re looking for without running the risk of slicing our hand open on the edge or an errant paper knife.

Try purchasing a drawer organiser to sort the junk into sections so you don’t have to rummage.

Cleaning the dryer filter

Cleaning out the filter in your tumble dryer is a job that will give you a sense of satisfaction simply for getting it done.

But, most importantly, clogged filters can be a real fire hazard so this chore should be done regularly. In fact, you should be in the habit of cleaning the filter every time you use your dryer.

Raking dead leaves

Raking dead leaves might just be a treat, not a chore. Not only are the crackling and crunching sounds a lot of fun, but raking up leaves helps keep your lawn looking tidy, and prevents the grass from drying out. Why not use them to make your own compost?

Scrubbing the dishwasher

While your dishwasher might be one of your most commonly used appliances, it's also likely to be your least frequently cleaned one. It's easy to forget to wash appliances that need cleaning too!

But it’s also essential to clean them out regularly to keep things running smoothly. And the satisfaction of seeing the filter, seals and spray arms looking brand new makes this grimy job worth it.

Vacuuming carpets

Carpets are a real trap for any airborne detritus, be it pet fur, dust, hair, or crumbs of food, so they should be cleaned regularly.

Looking for a little motivation? It can be extremely satisfying to actually watch your carpet get clean as the vacuum passes over it, leaving behind those aesthetically pleasing stripes.

Cleaning the oven

While it's always best to clean up messes as soon as possible, you should aim to deep clean your oven every three months and definitely before Christmas when it's likely to get a lot of use. This can be a messy job involving chemicals or clever cleaning hacks, such as the dishwasher tablet technique, so always take care and wear rubber gloves to protect your skin.

No more burnt-on food and a clean oven door makes the results very satisfying!