I tried the 'Wheel of Chores' method to tick off my to-do list – it's perfect for procrastinators

Between cleaning and decluttering to-do lists, I sometimes find it hard to know exactly what to do and when to keep a tidy home.

There's no denying that some tasks are easier or more enjoyable than others. As a result, I often find myself falling into the trap of doing something because it was quick, and putting off the chores that require a little more elbow grease until later, only to never do them at all.

In a bid to take the guesswork out of the process, I tried inputting all my tasks onto a spinning wheel to determine the order of getting them done. Not only did it simplify my routine – it made it much easier to clean a house fast, too.

What is the Wheel of Chores method?

I thought the Wheel of Chores sounded somewhat ominous, but it's actually an incredibly simple cleaning shortcut, taking the decision-making out of your hands.

All you need to do is make a list of tasks you need to get done – these could be part of your daily to-do list, household chores you should be doing weekly, or even monthly chores to tick off – and spin the wheel. Whatever it lands on is what you do then, and so on, until your wheel is empty and complete. A lot of people think that you need to stick to a strict schedule, or clean in a specific order, but as this method shows, this is a cleaning rule you can actually break.

Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, says, 'There's no more debating which task to tackle. The wheel decides for you, and all you have to do is follow through!'

She explains that it is effective as starting is often the hardest part. 'The wheel eliminates that delay by giving you a clear, randomized task to focus on,' she adds. 'Turning chores into a game makes cleaning feel less like a dreaded responsibility and more like a spontaneous challenge.

'It's oddly satisfying to spin and let fate choose your next task.' I definitely thought so!

I made a quick list of tasks I needed to get done. Some were much quicker to complete than others, which I feel is the key to putting your wheel together.

As Karina says, 'The number of tasks really should depend on your cleaning goals and household size. You can customize your wheel with both everyday chores, like dishwashing and dusting, and more occasional ones, like conquering the dreaded junk drawer and wiping down kitchen cabinets.

'It's also helpful to sprinkle in some quick wins, for example, tasks that take under five minutes, to keep the momentum going.'

Using the Wheel of Names spinner, I added the following:

• Declutter drawers
• Sort out clothes rail
• Clean bathroom
• Vacuum bedroom
• Clean makeup brushes
• Fix candle

Mine also weren't all cleaning tasks, to mix it up a bit and add some variety. Then, after finishing work for the day, I spun the wheel.

The first task I landed on was actually the one I was hoping for the most – cleaning the bathroom. This is something I do weekly, usually on a Monday, so it didn't take too long. Armed with my bathroom cleaning spray and cloth, I got to work straight after spinning, which was also a great tip to banish chore procrastination.

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On a high from successfully completing one chore, I spun again, this time landing on cleaning my makeup brushes. This definitely is a task I procrastinate, usually relying the Avoidance Method to get it done. This time, it only took about ten minutes, as I don't have many brushes I use regularly, which really highlighted how this method is a great way to overcome being a serial procrastinator.

Another spin saw me finally sorting my clothes once and for all. My clothes rail solved my lack of hanging space, but had become a dumping ground for coats, bags, hats and clothes, strewn over after a day in the office or an evening out.

I took everything off, then sorted through piece by piece, grouping like with like and prioritizing clothing items you should always hang up. Now, I can see everything that's on there at a glance, and grab what I want easily.

Then, spinning again, I fixed my best candle, the Skandinavisk Fjord Scented Candle available at Amazon, which I received for Christmas last year, smashed, and then never fixed. Using the Gorilla Clear Glue available at Amazon, this took about thirty seconds, and now my favorite candle is finally ready for use again.

After using my best vacuum cleaner for carpet in my bedroom, the Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum available at Amazon, which, while pricey, is 100% worth it in my opinion, all that's left to do is declutter my one drawer that I basically never open, using some expert closet decluttering tips.

Who is the Wheel of Chores method best for?

As cleaning expert Karina says, this method is best for cleaning procrastinators, just like me, who 'just need a little push to get started.'

It's also a fun way to make cleaning fun, particularly for families looking for a fair and fun way to assign chores.

However, this method is not so well suited to highly routine-driven people, or those who thrive on planning, says Karina. 'People who already have a set cleaning schedule and don't like surprises might not like leaving the choice up to chance.

'And, if you prefer knowing exactly what you'll do in advance, this might feel a bit too chaotic.'

My verdict

For me, the Wheel of Chores method is a bit of a game-changer. I got tasks done that I had been putting off for months in some cases and enjoyed the randomized nature of it to change up my cleaning routine.

The best part is you don't have to tick off all the tasks in one single evening or day. Karina points out, 'The beauty of the Wheel of Chores is that it’s totally adaptable to your schedule. For busy weekdays or when you need a quick productivity boost, feel free to spin the wheel when you have a spare moment and tackle just one task.

'For deep-cleaning weekends or pre-event clean-ups, you can always dedicate an hour or two to spin multiple times in one sitting to knock out several chores.

'I recommend all-at-once sessions for major resets or clean-ups before guests come over, while single spins would work great for maintenance & keeping your home tidy with minimal effort each day.'

So, whether you need to clean a bathroom in 30 minutes or less, declutter a whole house in one day, or have a never-ending weekly to-do list, the Wheel of Chores method can be adapted to suit you, to complete tasks you've been avoiding with ease

Recently, I also tried the 'One Hour' cleaning method, and was amazed by how much I managed to get done in just 60 minutes, from doing the washing up and putting away groceries, to straightening up the living room and putting away my laundry, having an alloted time