“My brain can’t handle the mess.”
If you’ve ever said that out loud (or in your head), this one’s for you.
You know the days, the kids are loud, the emails won’t stop, and your house isn’t even that messy… but somehow, it’s still too much.
The fridge handle feels sticky. The sink looks... sad. There’s a tea towel in a weird place and now you’re spiralling...
Here’s why: when your environment is chaotic, your brain has to work harder.
Visual clutter increases cortisol. Mental load goes up. Focus disappears. Even small messes feel like big problems. It’s one of the reasons we turn to cleaning when everything feels like too much. If you’ve ever Googled 'how to clean when you feel overwhelmed,' you’re not alone.
So no, you’re not being dramatic. And if this is a hard relate? This might just be the blog for you.
This isn’t a deep clean.
This is a brain reset.
The kind where you clean one or two things - the right things - so your home feels lighter and your head does too.
Start here.
1. Clean the Kitchen Sink Area
Why this works: The sink is the centre of gravity in your kitchen. If it looks clean, the whole space feels better — even if the rest isn’t perfect.
How to clean the kitchen sink properly:
Start by clearing any dishes and rinsing out the bowl. Add a generous squeeze of washing up liquid, and use hot water and a soft cloth to clean around the basin, the plughole, and the overflow. Pay attention to the edges where residue builds up.
Then reset the area:
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Wipe down your washing up bottle
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Fold a clean tea towel
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Buff the tap and sink edge with a microfibre cloth to finish
The effect is instant — your kitchen feels brighter, fresher, and more in control.
2. Wipe the Fridge Handle and Polish the Tap
Why this works: These are high-touch spots that quietly collect grime. Cleaning them makes the whole kitchen feel fresher.
How to clean fridge handle and make kitchen taps shine:
Spray a cloth with our all-purpose cleaner (never spray directly), clean the inside edge of the fridge handle, and wipe down the tap base. These are two of the most commonly touched areas in the kitchen, and once they’re clean, the space instantly feels sharper and more looked after.
To finish, polish both with a microfibre cloth. The subtle shine adds that extra “together” feeling.
If you only wipe down one thing in the kitchen today? Make it these two.
3. Clean Around the Rim of Your Kitchen Bin
Why this works: Even if your bin bag is fresh, the rim can be hiding smells and bacteria.
How to clean your bin and remove kitchen bin smells:
Lift the lid, spray or use hot soapy water, and wipe around the rim, hinge and outer edge. If there’s a pedal, give that a wipe too. These hidden cleaning spots make all the difference.
4. Disinfect Light Switches and Door Handles
Why this works: They’re some of the dirtiest spots in your home but also the fastest to clean.
How to disinfect light switches and door handles:
Spray a cloth with disinfectant or surface spray, then gently wipe in a circular motion. Focus on areas near the kitchen, bathroom or children’s rooms. Dry with a clean cloth. These are quick cleaning tips for busy mums that truly work.
5. Clean the Base of Your Bathroom Taps
Why this works: The base of taps often gets overlooked but it’s one of the first things guests notice.
How to clean bathroom taps and remove limescale:
Spray a cloth with cleaner or use a soaked piece of kitchen towel wrapped around the base. Let sit for five minutes to lift limescale and residue, then rinse and dry with a microfibre cloth. Your bathroom reset in five minutes.
6. Wipe Down Soap Bottles and Dispensers
Why this works: Sticky bottles around the sink make the whole area feel cluttered and grimy, even when everything else is clean.
How to clean soap pump and keep kitchen sink tidy:
Use a damp cloth and all-purpose spray to wipe the nozzle, bottle base and surrounding surface. Then buff dry for a clean finish. Stylish bottles deserve to shine.
7. Dust the Leaves of Your Houseplants
Why this works: Dusty plants make a space feel unloved, and they can’t breathe properly either!
How to dust houseplants and create a calm home:
Use a damp microfibre cloth to gently wipe both sides of the leaves. Avoid direct spray, especially in sunlight. Even doing just one plant is an easy home refresh.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to scrub every surface or deep clean the whole house to feel better in your space.
You just need to focus on the right areas, the ones that shift the atmosphere.
Clean the sink. Wipe the fridge handle. Fold the tea towel.
It’s not about being spotless. It’s about creating small moments that feel calm, in control and just a bit better.
Colt & Willow Products Featured in This Blog:
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Geranium All Purpose Cleaner – for switches, taps and everyday wipe downs
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Rhubarb Washing Up Liquid – gentle, effective and beautiful on the side of the sink
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Microfibre Cloths – soft, durable and perfect for polishing