I consider myself someone who likes things a certain way, especially when it comes to organizing at home. If my wardrobe isn't organized by item of clothing (shirts, then pants, sweaters, and blazers in that specific order), it bothers me throughout the day. So when things aren't the way I like them, I can feel a little overwhelmed. Then the hectic cleaning and organizing begins.
When I first discovered the viral "Angry Cleanse" trend, I felt like I could join in pretty quickly based on the name alone. After going through some of the over 8 million TikTok videos archived under this term, I found myself laughing at the ridiculousness of it all while also telling it in a real way.
"Cleaning with anger is a phrase that makes me laugh," says Katie Ortega of @heyitkatieortega . "It's not as bad as it seems, but for me it's when I get tired of the clutter in my house and start to aggressively deal with it.
So I decided to hold off on the popular cleaning method until the next time I want to scream in my kitchen cabinets or kick all the shoes blocking the front door. As expected, this happened shortly afterwards. Read on to learn more about what I learned about the trend, the results of my experiment, and the best areas to clean according to experts.
What is cleansing anger?
Like exercise, anger management is a way to let off steam (and surprisingly, it can be just as physically demanding, depending on the task you choose). By turning anger into motivation, rage cleaning not only helps you release pent-up tension, it can also help you clean more effectively, according to our cleaning experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute .
"Cleansing is very therapeutic and very satisfying! You take something dirty or disorganized and leave it clean and beautiful," says Carolyn Forté , executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab. "Cleaning requires effort and is a great way to reduce waste." Stress while accomplishing something you've been putting off. And the results are great on two counts: you'll feel less stressed or angry, and you'll have a cleaner house to show for it.
So if you find yourself constantly staring at a disorganized or dirty area of your home, try channeling that aggression for good. It could lead to the most thorough cleaning session of your life.
The results of my anger cleansing
My first angry cleaning victim? My storage closet. Because it's quite tall, I often blindly throw containers and water bottles in it after washing (which often results in something flying dangerously away every time I dare to open it). I had even started storing other containers and bottles that didn't fit on the kitchen counter. I decided I had finally had enough of the hassle.
After cleaning the furniture, I not only felt less anxious but also relieved. Now I can open this closet at any time without fear. I also feel more motivated to keep doing this now that I know the potential it has.
Then he was my cook. Although the permanent stains are from previous tenants, I've noticed how dirty they've become recently under my watch.
I put on some music and started rubbing. When I was finished, I smiled as I looked at the results. Then I vigorously emptied my dishwasher, loaded it with dirty dishes in the sink, and cleaned the counters while I still had the motivation. Then I sat down and felt like I had nothing to do for the rest of the night. And it felt really good .
My biggest takeaway? Clean and organize whenever you feel the sudden urge. I often put off cleaning until I have enough time to really commit, but anger cleaning is all about doing what you can do while you feel like it.
What are the best places to approach anger cleansing?
According to cleaning experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute, the places you don't go often provide the best cleaning results. Here are some recommendations:
- Organize a messy closet. If it bothers you every time you open your closet, maybe it's time to start cleaning. Convert that anger into energy and get organized. Also be prepared to get rid of clothes you no longer need .
- Mop dirty floors. There's nothing more therapeutic than standing on all fours with a sponge and cleaning supplies. The result is shiny floors and a better attitude.
- Vacuum the carpet. Are you tired of dust and hair left on the carpet? It can be tiring, but vacuuming the entire carpet (yes, that means under the furniture) is one of the most rewarding areas of cleaning.
However, if you are unable to tackle a task that might take a little longer, try quick tasks that can be completed in a few minutes. It's about addressing an area that's making you feel overwhelmed and freeing yourself from that feeling through a cleanse.
Laura Millar (she/her) is Associate Lifestyle Editor at Good Housekeeping , where she covers home design. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC's TODAY.com , where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.
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