It doesn't mean that your siblings are clean.It can be difficult to encourage your sibling to clean when they leave messes, but you can help.You can make your messy sibling almost as clean as you by talking to them calmly, making cleaning fun, and reinforcing good behavior.
Step 1: You can approach your sibling calmly.
If you want to confront your sibling, approach them calmly.Many siblings try to fight or argue to get what they want.If you speak to your sibling in a friendly way, they will be more willing to help you.Don't approach your sibling at a bad time.If they are stressed, in a bad mood, trying to work, or have any other problem, wait.They will be more willing to listen to what you have to say.
Step 2: Tell your sibling what you want them to do.
Try to be as specific as possible when speaking with your sibling.They shouldn't be made to guess what messes you're talking about or what you want from them.Tell them how you would like them to clean the mess.Say something like, "I'm wondering if you could clean up around the bathroom sink more."If your sibling is young, you can try drawing a picture for them of what you want them to do.They can be motivated to help if they understand what you are asking.
Step 3: Tell your sibling how they make you feel.
You should also tell your siblings how you feel about the mess in your home.You can say that it's disrespectful when they leave their dirty clothes in a room that you share.Again, be calm and respectful.You can say something like, "I don't mean to pick on you, but it really frustrates me when you throw your dirty clothes on the floor instead of in the hamper."It upsets me to have a mess in the room because I like having a clean space.You should say something like "I feel stressed out by unclean spaces" instead of "you're so dirty and disrespectful."
Step 4: When appropriate, compromise.
If your sibling doesn't care about the mess, you can not expect them to clean the places that only they use.Make sure you let them keep their own spaces as they please, and clean shared spaces if you want them to.
Step 5: If you need help, ask your parents or guardians.
If talking to your sibling on your own doesn't work, you can try to involve your parents.The adults in the house can influence your sibling more than you can.Most cases, they can reward or punish your sibling for their behavior.If you want your parents or guardian to help, say something like, "I have tried to ask Alex to clean up his mess from the living room, but he just won't listen to me."I don't want him to get in trouble, but I would like you to help him clean up a bit more.
Step 6: Team clean up sessions should be organized.
If you organize times when you and your sibling try to clean up messes together, you can make them feel more accountable.By cleaning as a team, you might be able to convince your sibling that cleaning can be fun and social.If you say something like, "I know that cleaning isn't what you like to do after school, but if you and I just took half an hour to pick-up the house tomorrow afternoon, it would really look so much better," you can approach your sibling about cleaning together.Isn't it more fun when we work as a team?
Step 7: It's important to minimize distraction.
Many kids and teens find cleaning hard if they are distracted by TV or their phones.Adults have a hard time with this.If you create an environment where your sibling can clean without being distracted by something else, you will help them focus on the task they are doing and find some enjoyment in it.It might be difficult to get your sibling to give up their phone while they clean.They may agree to your request if you tell them exactly why you want them to avoid distraction.You could ask an older sibling to leave their phone on the table while they clean.I promise you that we will get more done if we just focus.
Step 8: Make-believe for younger siblings.
If your sibling is young or has an active imagination, try to create a story around cleaning.Your sibling can see that cleaning is fun and important.You can make your sibling believe they are playing quidditch or fighting a dementor while cleaning if they really like Harry Potter.If you play along with the make-believe, your sibling will get into it.
Step 9: Rewarding for cleaning.
Your sibling will get small rewards for cleaning.When your sibling is young, you can give them a cookie or sticker.You should always be sure that you can give them what you promised.You might make them dislike cleaning even more if you lose their trust.When your sibling cleans up the room, you can add a sticker to their chart and say they will get a prize for every five stickers they earn.They will get something to work towards.If your sibling is a teen or older, you could reward them by doing a favor for them.You could buy them a small ticket to a movie that they would like to see.
Step 10: You can create fun challenges.
It's possible to turn cleaning with your sibling into a friendly competition if you respond well to challenges.If your sibling is still young, you can tell them that they can't finish what they're doing before the song is over.Your sibling will be motivated to clean faster.Competitions can be set if your sibling is older than you.You could have a competition to see who can clean the most windows in the shortest amount of time.
Step 11: Schedule a lot of short cleaning sessions.
People don't like cleaning because they think it takes too long.If you try to schedule frequent brief cleaning sessions for your sibling, you can make cleaning seem more fun.The more often your sibling cleans, the less mess they create.You could schedule 30-minute cleaning sessions 3 times a week.
Step 12: They should not be critical of their cleaning.
If your sibling is making an effort to clean, don't criticize how they're doing it.This will make cleaning boring and make it hard to enjoy it.Praise them for something they have done well and then point out an area they could improve on.When giving constructive criticism, keep your tone positive.
Step 13: The sibling was praised for cleaning up.
You want your sibling to take care of themselves.Making them feel proud and accomplished when they clean can be done by you.If they don't do a great job, praise them and tell them how much you appreciate them.If you ever see your sibling cleaning up, you will want to praise them.
Step 14: It's not a good idea to clean up for your sibling.
People who like clean spaces sometimes have to clean up for others.You should stop if you do this for your sibling.They will be able to see how much mess they are making.You will be able to refer to it when speaking with them.If your sibling can't expect you to clean up for them, this could motivate them to do it on their own.If you have been cleaning up for them in the past, they might not have noticed the mess.
Step 15: They should not fix their clean-up jobs.
If your sibling cleans something, don't make it cleaner.You want them to be proud of their work.You can offer suggestions of how they can be even cleaner.Don't make them feel bad about their work.You canConstructive criticism instead of fixing their clean-up jobsShow them what they can do better, but be positive about their cleaning.
Step 16: They should be told that cleaning is a good thing.
Your sibling might be resistant to cleaning because they like to play games.If you can convince them that cleaning is nice for everyone else, then they should do it.Even if they are young, they will want to help.Try to convey the benefits of cleaning in ways that your sibling will understand.If you want to get your sibling interested in cleaning, you can say something like, "I know it's not as fun as watching TV, but do you see how much easier it is to use the kitchen when you clean your dishes?"Everyone else appreciates your help.