Spring Cleaning Chores to Burn Calories

Boost your burn with a little spring cleaning! The extra time at home is the perfect opportunity to check items off the household “to-do list.” Though you certainly might not enjoy housework or chores, it may help to know that many of these activities can burn serious calories. Not only will your home be cleaner, but you’ll feel good about slimming down while you work. We’ve put together a list of some common household chores that can keep you fit and healthy while staying productive.

Here are 10 household chores that can help you lose weight and burn calories:

1. Sweep and Mop to See Pounds Drop

Looking to tone those arms and shoulders? Sweeping and mopping both make a great upper body home workout. But on top of that, these household chores double as exercise and are serious calorie blasters. According to Good Housekeeping, 138 minutes of mopping floors is estimated to burn somewhere around 405 calories if you’re working vigorously. Throw in some lunges while you’re at it and you’ll truly get in a total body toning home workout—all the while getting things done!

2. Push It!

For more at home arm workouts, grab the vacuum and get to work. Vacuuming is also a great way to get your heart rate up for some cardiovascular benefits. In order to get more out of it, try exaggerating your movements. Take big lunges as you move the vacuum forward for some added leg toning. You might also consider picking up the tempo. Put on some music and throw in some dance moves as you work. It’s a great way to make chores and housework more fun while accomplishing both cleaning and exercise goals. Plus, you’re safe at home in quarantine.

3. Trim the Grass to Trim Your Waistline

If you’ve got a push mower, then mowing the grass can be a great calorie burner. According to Harvard Health, a 155-pound person burns about 167 calories in 30 minutes of push mowing the lawn. Just make sure you’re staying hydrated as things heat up outdoors! Check out these helpful H2O tips to practice proper hydration and ensure you’re drinking enough water as the weather gets warmer!

4. Wash Away the Calories

Another activity that can be done is washing the family car. According to Harvard Health, 30 minutes of vigorous car washing can torch somewhere around 167 calories in a 155-pound person. Channel your inner Karate Kid with some “wax on wax off” movements with the sponge and you’ll feel those arm muscles burning in no time. The more you scrub, the more calories you burn and the cleaner your car gets. It’s a win all around!

5. Get Your Spring Cleaning Underway

There’s something about having the windows open and the fresh air coming in to inspire people to spring clean. It probably has to do with a new season and a fresh beginning. While decluttering during spring cleaning is good for the mind, it can also be good for the body. Lifting and moving heavy items, bagging up clothing donations and rearranging can all help work up a sweat. Whether you’re clearing out a garage, a closet or a junk room, you’ll feel good that you’re making your home cleaner and more organized while also burning calories. Take a peek at these six spring cleaning to-do’s for added weight loss this season.

6. Grab the Paint!

Tired of staring at the same white walls while you’re stuck at home? You may be rethinking one or more of your wall colors. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders when it comes to an easy room makeover. But it can be a great workout, too. According to Harvard Health, painting inside for 30 minutes can burn 167 calories in a 155-pound person. Painting is a fantastic way to work your arm and leg muscles. You’ll get a room refresh while building lean muscle that helps you burn calories.

7. Ditch the Dishwasher

While you might be used to tossing all those dirty dishes in the automatic dishwasher, why not take a half hour to do a sink-full by hand? You’ll conserve household energy while using your own energy to burn calories. The harder you scrub, the more you’ll burn and the cleaner those dishes will be! Now is also a great time to get out some of those hard-to-clean pots and pans and put some elbow grease into your effort.

8. Weeding Away the Calories

When it comes to yard work, pulling weeds might be pretty low on your “want-to-do list.” But knowing that it can be a great calorie buster might move it up a few notches. You’ll get in some leg toning exercise as you squat and bend. Plus, you’ll need to use your arm muscles to yank and pull at those deep-rooted weeds. Your body—and your plant beds—will look better because of it. 30 minutes of weeding can burn 172 calories in a 155-pound person, according to Harvard Health. While weeding away in your yard, you can enjoy even MORE health benefits from gardening. Check out the surprising benefits here! >

9. Do a Window Wash

30 minutes of window cleaning chores is thought to burn somewhere around 167 calories in a 155-pound person, says Harvard Health. But getting the grime off the inside and outside of your windows will also make you feel good. Rather than looking at dirty smudges and streaks, the sun can shine in and you can enjoy it to its fullest!

10. Scrub that Tub

If you’ve got soap scum build-up, it takes some serious power and energy to scrub your tub or shower clean. That hard scrubbing can burn a lot of calories if you’re working up a good sweat. The more elbow grease power you put in, the more payoff—both in the form of a clean surface as well as toned muscles! It’s another win all around.

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*Always speak with your doctor before starting an exercise routine.