Many people assume working from home or being a stay-at-home parent means keeping the house clean is a piece of cake. You know, squeezing in tidying up between work tasks or nappy changes. But the truth? It’s far more distracting, and little messes appear out of nowhere. Thankfully, this decluttering hack is a game-changer, and we’re all for it!
Instead of being productive, there’s the constant mess. Items scattered everywhere, things not in their place, and piles of stuff that seem to grow by the minute. For those juggling kids at home, it’s even worse! It’s so easy to walk past an errant toy or dish and hope it finds its way to the right place.
One Mum’s Clever Idea – Meet the “Cleaning Cart” Decluttering Hack?
One popular decluttering hack, created by TikToker, mum, and therapist Ally, introduces her “cleaning cart” solution to manage the chaos of a messy house. It’s a basic rolling cart, with three shelves, like the ones you’d find at Ikea or office supply shops.
The idea? Roll it around your house and chuck anything into it—clothes, toys, shoes, crafts. Once you’ve tidied up, just roll it into a corner or up against a wall, and your house looks much cleaner in minutes.
We’ve shared trolley hacks before, but this is a new one for us!
“If you’re looking for a busy working mom hack to keep your shit together during the day, during the week and not feel totally overwhelmed and overstimulated when you walk into your house, keep listening,” Ally says. “I can’t stand having a dirty house or a messy house. For me, that is my overstimulation nightmare.”
@aesthetically_ally_ Mom hack. Lmk if you try! #cleaninghacks #cleanhouse ♬ original sound – Aesthetically Ally
Ally does point out that, of course, you’ll need to put everything away properly at some point. But having it all in one place instead of scattered across surfaces makes a huge difference in how the house feels and reduces that overwhelming, overstimulated feeling.
A Simple Solution for a Messy Reality
In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need things like a cleaning cart. But life’s busy, messy, and full of responsibilities, and we’re all just doing our best. If rolling a cart around the house and throwing junk into it helps you feel even a little more organised, then it’s worth giving it a go. Plus, Ally’s TikTok is full of other helpful tips for staying on top of the mess, so check her out for more ideas!
People Love It—But with a Warning
Ally’s hack has been well-received, with people in the comments loving the idea. Some have even suggested labelling different sections of the cart with family members’ names to make sorting items easier later on.
I’d give my kids a deadline to put their stuff away or I’ll throw it out.
However, some people worry this could lead to “doom piles” (piles of items that are moved but never actually sorted), especially for those with ADHD. Doom piles are something I had all around my house when I was in a depressive episode. They can quickly become overwhelming.
How to Avoid “Doom Piles”
To avoid these dreaded doom piles, experts recommend using small containers that don’t overflow and setting timers to empty the cart in short, 15-minute bursts. Making decluttering a manageable task helps avoid bigger messes down the track.
We’re all juggling so much, especially when working from home. Try this hack and see if it helps you regain control of the clutter. A little cart could go a long way in keeping your home and mind clear!
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