I Tried the "Race the Clock" Method and Got So Much Done in 45 Minutes

I’m so proud of myself, but the reason why I’m feeling so accomplished — using the “Race the Clock” method to tidy my home — initially made me feel kind of silly. Here’s the thing: I use (and even write about!) so many cleaning strategies that help you get over that hump of inertia to get the job done. From implementing Power 10s with my entire family to practicing the 5×5 Method or the 6/10 Method, I have an array of effective tools to whip my house in order.

But even with these trusted systems, sometimes what I need to galvanize me into action is something new. That’s exactly what I got when I came across what I’m calling the “Race the Clock” method shared by Amy Motroni (@geniusmomhacks) on Instagram.

At first glance, this method didn’t seem much different from some of the other time-based cleaning hacks, but when I put it into practice, the results were seriously impressive.

What Is the “Race the Clock” Method?

Essentially, the Race the Clock method is a productivity tool to help you get more done in less time than it would usually take you. Plus, it’s a great strategy to get the kids involved with cleaning.

You set up a timer for any time block that works for you — @geniusmomhacks used 20 minutes in the video — and you “race the clock” to finish as much as you can before the timer dings.

How I Tried the “Race the Clock” Method

After a weekend away for a soccer tournament and hasty morning and afternoon routines on a Monday that came too fast, my home was less than tidy. Not one room was fully in order and the house as a whole looked not just dirty, but like a strong gust of wind had blown through. It seemed like the perfect time to try a new cleaning method!

I had about 45 minutes to tidy the home while my husband was putting our younger children to bed before I had a scheduled hangout session with our teens. I set the timer on my iPhone, put in my AirPods to listen to my audiobook (immersing myself in another world drastically cuts down on distractions), and got to work.

I tackled the most visible rooms first — and started small.

I decided to first concentrate my efforts on the common areas, the rooms which most affect my and my family’s state of being while we’re in the house. Of course, it feels great when our bedrooms and offices are in order, but the greatest impact on the overall feel of the house is when the spaces without doors are tidy.

I started with the smallest area that would be quickest to clean: the front entryway. I put away shoes, put some bags where they belonged, and moved a delivery box. It was clean within minutes.

I then turned my attention to the living room, which only needed a couple of tweaks.

I worked up the willpower to clean the most daunting space.

At this point, buoyed by two quick wins, I had the gumption to tackle the room that usually makes me balk the most: the bonus room. It was strewn with toys and, to be honest, garbage (!!!), which made the whole space feel overwhelming. However, pushed by the ticking clock, I jumped right in and sped through. I tossed trash, straightened up items on my kids’ desks, put away books, and removed items that needed to get put back up in the attic. Immediately, my son and our dogs came to enjoy the refreshed space.

Once the bonus room was done, I had about 20 minutes left. I tidied up the kitchen, which wasn’t too bad, but I knew that if I had started there, I would have gotten carried away with deep-cleaning it rather than just tidying it up. Next, I addressed the family room, which looked worse than it actually was, with throw pillows and blankets tossed around. Knowing that I was going to spend time with my kids there shortly reminded me of the “why” for all this cleaning up: to create a space where my family feels safe and loved.

I made the most of every single minute.

With about five minutes left on the clock, I’d spruced up every common area and decided to care for my husband and me by picking up our bedroom. An orderly bedroom with dimmed lights is such a comfortable landing pad at the end of the day, and I wanted to give that to us. 

Although I didn’t have time to put away all of our folded laundry, moving the baskets into the closet and putting away what I could made all the difference in the feel of the room.

Why the “Race the Clock” Method Worked for Me

When my 45 minutes were up, the entire house was reset. I was thrilled, and I credit the effectiveness of the “Race the Clock” method to the fact that I had one solid chunk of time to clean whatever I wanted.

I was tempted to break up my allotted 45 minutes into smaller increments in order to dedicate specific amounts of time to each space, but I resisted the urge. I realized that harnessing the mental pressure of having to tidy several areas of my home before the 45-minute timer rang would be more powerful motivation to get to all of them, rather than needing to finish smaller spaces within arbitrary parameters. I was right.

I realized why the method is called Race the Clock in the first place. The best part is, I know now that every time I race the clock to reset my house, I win.

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