Why Listening to Music Makes Cleaning at Home More Enjoyable (Backed by Science)

Why Music Turns Cleaning into a Joyful Ritual — Not Just a Chore

At Guests on Earth, we are on a mission to make cleaning MORE JOYFUL and LESS WASTEFUL. That's why we love to create and share playlists for cleaning up, to set and fit any mood. Check out our playlists HERE on Spotify.

Here are FOUR fun facts about the connection between cleaning and music:

1. Music Makes Everything Better: Mood, Focus, Productivity

Listening to music triggers the brain’s dopamine system—the same pleasure circuit activated by rewarding activities—boosting mood, motivation, and overall enjoyment during repetitive tasks like cleaning.
Neuroscientists have found that rhythmic music engages brain networks responsible for movement and coordination, helping you feel more energized and fluid while scrubbing or sweeping.
Research across the psychology of music highlights that listening can enhance creativity, reduce fatigue, improve alertness, and help tasks flow more smoothly.

2. It’s a Common Practice — Especially in North America

~80% of North Americans listen to music while cleaning
Among those musical cleaners:
- 94% report feeling positively uplifted when cleaning with music.
- 66% say music actually makes cleaning more enjoyable.
The effect is strongest among:
- Parents (85% vs. 77% of non-parents),
- Those living with others (81% vs. 72%),
- Younger adults under 40 (92% vs. 65% for 40+).

3. Science Backs It Up: Stress Relief & Well-Being

Music is widely used as an emotion-focused coping strategy: it helps reduce stress and improving emotional response to daily tasks.
Studies in healthy aging show that older adults—56% listen to music daily—report nearly universal mental health benefits: stress relief, mood uplift, reduced anxiety, and enhanced well‑being.
Experts note that listening or making music increases dopamine and oxytocin, promotes emotional resilience, reduces anxiety, supports memory and cognitive function, and even benefits heart health and stress management.

4. Practical Takeaways: How to Transform Cleaning with Music

Create curated cleaning playlists with upbeat, fast-tempo tracks—pop, funk, dance, house—to keep energy high, especially during physically demanding tasks.
Reward yourself post-clean—e.g., enjoy a favourite beverage or relax to a specific song afterward—to reinforce a positive emotional association.
Clean with safe, nontoxic products that you can feel good about using.
Using products with (nontoxic) scents can add to the overall experience of cleaning, making it even more enjoyable.