The 3 most avoided household chores (and simple ways to tackle them)

Stop putting off these everyday chores and use our easy tips to check them off your list faster than ever.

We all have that one chore that gets put off until it’s absolutely necessary to get it done. Maybe it's even a few tasks that you procrastinate doing. The good news is that you’re not alone.

We spoke with Christi Newrutzen, a content creator who has garnered significant attention and followers (over 600K on TikTok alone) for her videos about procrastination, particularly chores around the house. Her content has resonated with so many because, between busy schedules, decision fatigue, and the sheer repetitiveness of certain tasks, they feel overwhelmed by the thought of starting, let alone finishing, them.

If you find yourself procrastinating on your daily chores, help is on the way. Newrutzen has a viral series called How Long Does It Actually Take? that tackles procrastination head-on with humor, honesty, and science-backed strategies. Here, she reveals the top three household tasks she most often puts off and how she overcomes them.

1. Cleaning Floors

Vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping are some of the most often procrastinated chores, and it’s not hard to see why. Cleaning the floors is physically demanding and time-consuming, and it often feels thankless when you know it’ll need to be done again in just a few days (or more frequently for pet parents). It also requires preparation, such as moving furniture, picking things up, and hauling out bulky equipment, which can create an immediate mental barrier.

Floors collect everything—crumbs, pet hair, dust—and if clutter is already in the way, the task can feel impossible before you even begin. However, one of the most effective ways to make floor cleaning easier is to reduce friction. When items are already off the floor, you remove one entire step from the process, making it far more likely to start.

Another strategy is to manage the timing of the task rather than dread it. Newrutzen’s signature approach revolves around one simple question: “How long does it actually take?” She explains, “When I ask myself, ‘How long does it actually take?’ it shifts my brain out of avoidance mode by sparking curiosity instead of dread.”

Instead of committing to cleaning all the floors in the house, set a timer for a short, doable period (perhaps 15 or 20 minutes) and get started. Often, that’s enough to make a noticeable difference, and seeing how short the task actually is can rewire your expectations for next time.

2. Laundry

Laundry is truly the never-ending chore. Each step—washing, drying, folding, and hanging—requires time and energy, and is often done daily. Many people don’t mind starting a load but dread everything that comes after, leading to laundry baskets that sit untouched for days (or weeks). Newrutzen relates to this struggle, noting that everyday tasks like laundry are easy to avoid when your brain is already overwhelmed.

Her solution again comes back to curiosity and momentum. “A lot of the time, the thing I’ve been avoiding for days takes less than an hour or even like 10 or 15 minutes,” she says. By timing individual steps, such as folding for 5 minutes or putting away only the tops, you break a chore into smaller, less intimidating pieces.

Followers of Newrutzen’s account have also shared creative motivation hacks, like racing the microwave. As she explains, “Anytime you have this period instead of just standing and waiting around, I try to see how much of the mess I can clean up around me until the timer is done.” Folding clean socks while leftovers heat up gives the task a clear start and finish, making it feel easier to accomplish.

3. Doing the Dishes

If laundry is the ultimate perpetual chore, dishes come in a close second. No sooner is the sink empty than it starts filling up again, making the task feel pointless. Sensory factors, such as wet food, smells, and even noise, can also contribute to why dishes are so commonly avoided.

One method to make it easier on yourself is to reframe doing the dishes as a daily reset rather than a major task. That mental shift alone can reduce resistance. Instead of waiting until the sink is overflowing, aim for small, consistent wins. You can also try the “racing” method, although it doesn’t have to be against the microwave. For example, try loading the dishwasher or putting away as many clean, dry items as possible while your morning coffee brews.

Newrutzen is a big believer in “done is better than perfect.” She says, “Just knowing that you got a little bit done helps so much.” This approach removes the pressure to finish the job fully, which is often what stops people from starting in the first place. Note that clutter plays a role here as well. When countertops and cabinets are crowded, dishes feel harder to handle. Clearing and simplifying your kitchen space can reduce friction, making it easier to put things away quickly rather than letting them pile up.

Factors That Contribute to Procrastination

The environments we live in can fuel procrastination. Research suggests that the more physical stuff people own, the more likely they are to procrastinate. Excess clutter competes for attention, increases cognitive overload, and makes even small tasks feel bigger than they really are. So do your best to declutter regularly to make your daily chores easier.

Another common factor is miscalculation. Our brains overestimate how long tasks will take and how uncomfortable they’ll be. Newrutzen has built an entire platform around exposing that gap. “Seeing that contrast over and over has completely rewired my motivation,” she says. “It’s a reminder that I’m not lazy, my brain is just miscalculating the numbers and effort.” Ultimately, the goal isn’t to love chores; it’s to make them feel less intimidating. You can take a page out of Newrutzen’s book and try to make them—dare we say?—fun!

“Instead of focusing on the discomfort of the task, I focus on the experiment of timing it, which turns it into something small, doable, and even a little fun, especially when I throw on some music or a podcast,” she explains. Newrutzen proves that when you stop waiting for the right mood, the perfect amount of time, or ideal conditions, you give yourself permission to start imperfectly. “The big thing that motivates me now is the relief and momentum I get after doing the thing.”