Try the 60-second rule that transformed cleaning for one woman

If you’re anything like most people, keeping a home spotless can feel like chasing your tail—especially when juggling grandkids, hobbies, or enjoying a well-earned retirement. The mess seems to multiply overnight, and before long, it’s easy to feel knee-deep in chores that never end. 

But for one Australian woman, a simple, almost magical trick helped her reclaim her time and keep her home looking shipshape—all without breaking a sweat. 

Enter: the one-minute rule. It’s a brilliantly simple concept, popularised by author Gretchen Rubin. 

The idea is this: if a task takes a minute or less, do it immediately. No procrastinating, no ‘I’ll get to it later’, just a quick action and it’s done. 

Think of it as a way to outsmart your future self, who will inevitably be annoyed by that pile of shoes at the door or the crumbs on the benchtop.

Why does it work? Because most of the little messes that make homes feel untidy are, in fact, little. 

The accumulation of these small jobs—putting away the mail, wiping down the bathroom sink, hanging up a jacket—creates an overwhelming sense of chaos. 

The home stays in a near-constant state of order by nipping them in the bud, with minimal effort.

Putting the one-minute rule to the test

One Australian woman shared that she was not naturally a neat freak. She’d much rather be reading, gardening, or catching up with friends than scrubbing the kitchen. 

But clutter made her anxious, and she knew she wasn’t alone—studies show that a mess can increase stress levels. So, she decided to give the one-minute rule a red-hot go.

Her first test was the breakfast dishes. Usually, she’d let them ‘soak’ (sit there until lunchtime), but she set a timer and got stuck this time. 

To her surprise, she was halfway done before the minute was up. Sure, it took a couple more minutes to finish, but the point was clear: starting was the most challenging part, and once in motion, the job was almost done before she knew it.

Next up: the post-workout gear. Usually, her sneakers and towel would linger by the bed until she tripped over them. 

But with the one-minute rule, she put them away immediately—and had time to spare! It felt oddly satisfying, like doing a little favour for her future self.

The real game-changer

The real ‘aha!’ moment came when she realised how much time she’d wasted avoiding these tiny tasks. 

One afternoon, her granddaughter’s toys were scattered across the lounge room. She’d stepped over them at least four times before remembering the rule. 

Timer on: 34 seconds later, the room was clear. She’d spent more time ignoring the mess than it took to fix it!

This little experiment made her rethink her whole approach to housework. 

If she could do so much in a minute, what else could she tackle in five? Or ten? While the one-minute rule is about quick wins, it also helps people see that most chores aren’t as time-consuming as they imagine.

Here are some tips to make the one-minute rule work:

• Start small. Pick a few tasks that tend to be put off, like wiping the kitchen bench or sorting the mail, and commit to doing them immediately.
• Use a timer if it helps. Sometimes, seeing just how little time a job takes can be a real eye-opener.
• Don’t aim for perfection. The goal is progress, not a show-home. If a task gets missed, pick it up next time.
• Get the family involved. The one-minute rule works even better when everyone’s on board. Make it a game with the grandkids or challenge a partner to see who can finish their tasks fastest.

So next time a sticky benchtop, a pile of mail, or a stray sock appears, don’t put it off. Take a minute to tackle it, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a tidy space.

Have you tried the one-minute rule or have cleaning hacks to share? We’d love to hear your tips and stories in the comments below! Let’s help each other make life a little easier, one minute at a time.

Also read: Are you making this cleaning mistake? Experts say most people miss this rule