There’s something deeply satisfying about closing out the year with a thorough cleaning session, and the right music can transform this chore into an energizing ritual. Whether you’re scrubbing floors, organizing closets, or tackling that junk drawer you’ve been avoiding all year, a killer playlist makes all the difference. These 20 tracks span genres and decades, offering the perfect blend of energy, rhythm, and motivation to keep you moving through every task on your cleaning checklist.
Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra
This 1977 masterpiece remains one of the most uplifting songs ever recorded, making it an ideal companion for year-end cleaning sessions. The song’s orchestral arrangements and Jeff Lynne’s soaring vocals create an atmosphere of pure joy that can motivate even the most reluctant cleaner. Its bright, optimistic energy makes even the most tedious cleaning tasks feel like part of a celebration, and the four-and-a-half-minute runtime provides sustained momentum for tackling larger projects.
Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
This modern funk anthem delivers infectious energy that makes it impossible to stand still while cleaning. The tight horn section, punchy bass line, and Bruno Mars’ commanding vocals create a groove that transforms mundane tasks into a dance party. Released in 2014, this track has maintained its status as a cleaning playlist staple thanks to its ability to inject instant energy into any space, and its retro-funk vibe adds a touch of style to your year-end tidying routine.
Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen
Freddie Mercury’s vocal performance on this 1978 track radiates pure confidence and exhilaration, making it perfect for powering through cleaning marathons. The song’s accelerating tempo and triumphant lyrics create an unstoppable momentum that mirrors the satisfaction of watching a messy space transform into something pristine. Its enduring popularity across generations means it’s likely to appeal to everyone in your household, making it an excellent choice for family cleaning sessions.
Levitating by Dua Lipa
This 2020 disco-pop hit brings contemporary energy to your cleaning playlist with its sparkling production and irresistible hooks. Dua Lipa’s confident delivery and the song’s retro-futuristic sound design create a buoyant atmosphere that makes cleaning feel effortless. The track’s steady four-on-the-floor beat provides a consistent rhythm for maintaining your cleaning pace, while its feel-good lyrics keep spirits high throughout the most challenging tasks.
September by Earth, Wind & Fire
No cleaning playlist is complete without this 1978 disco-funk classic that has remained a universal mood-lifter for decades. The song’s jubilant horn arrangements, Maurice White’s distinctive vocals, and that unforgettable “ba-dee-ya” hook create an atmosphere of celebration that turns cleaning into a joyful experience. Its association with positive memories and good times makes it especially perfect for year-end cleaning when you’re preparing your space for new beginnings.
Good as Hell by Lizzo
This 2019 self-empowerment anthem delivers exactly the kind of positive energy you need when facing a daunting cleaning project. Lizzo’s powerful vocals and the song’s gospel-influenced production create an uplifting atmosphere that reminds you to take pride in caring for your space. The track’s message about self-care aligns perfectly with the act of year-end cleaning, which is ultimately an act of kindness toward your future self.
I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston’s 1987 smash hit remains one of the most energizing songs ever recorded, making it essential for any cleaning playlist. The song’s explosive chorus and Houston’s unmatched vocal power create moments of pure joy that can revitalize your energy when you’re halfway through organizing that overflowing closet. Its timeless production and universal appeal make it perfect for multi-generational cleaning sessions during the holiday season.
Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
This 2019 synthwave-inspired hit has become one of the defining songs of recent years, offering a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern production. The driving bassline and pulsing synthesizers create an urgent, forward-moving energy that’s ideal for maintaining momentum during extended cleaning sessions. Its widespread popularity and radio-friendly structure make it an excellent choice for keeping everyone motivated and engaged with the task at hand.
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and The Waves
This 1985 new wave classic delivers pure, unfiltered joy that can transform even the grimiest cleaning task into something approaching fun. The song’s exuberant horn section, Katrina Leskanich’s enthusiastic vocals, and its relentlessly upbeat tempo create an infectious energy that’s impossible to resist. When you’re tackling year-end deep cleaning, this track serves as a reminder that creating a fresh, clean space is something to celebrate, not just endure.
Can’t Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake
Written for the animated film Trolls in 2016, this song has transcended its movie origins to become a universal mood-enhancer. Timberlake’s smooth vocals and the track’s funk-influenced production create a feel-good atmosphere that makes cleaning feel less like work and more like preparation for something special. The song’s positive message about finding joy in the moment aligns perfectly with the mindset needed for productive year-end cleaning sessions.
Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon
This 2014 indie-pop anthem captures the spontaneous joy of movement, making it ideal for keeping your cleaning session energetic and fun. The song’s new wave-inspired synthesizers and anthemic chorus create an irresistible urge to move, which translates perfectly into cleaning productivity. Its narrative about seizing the moment serves as a great metaphor for finally tackling those cleaning projects you’ve been postponing all year.
Best Day of My Life by American Authors
Released in 2013, this indie-rock hit radiates optimism and gratitude, emotions that align perfectly with year-end reflection and renewal. The song’s stomping beat and sing-along chorus create a communal energy that’s perfect for group cleaning sessions with family or roommates. Its message about appreciating life’s simple pleasures can help reframe cleaning from a chore into an opportunity to care for the space where you create your best memories. You might want to check out more energizing tracks in our extensive songs collection.
Treasure by Bruno Mars
This 2012 throwback to 70s funk and disco brings sophisticated grooves to your cleaning playlist without sacrificing energy. Mars’ falsetto vocals and the track’s meticulously crafted production create a smooth but propulsive rhythm that’s perfect for sustained cleaning efforts. The song’s celebration of classic funk elements adds a touch of elegance to your cleaning routine, reminding you that there’s an art to creating and maintaining beautiful spaces.
Happy by Pharrell Williams
Pharrell’s 2013 global phenomenon lives up to its title, delivering pure happiness through a deceptively simple production built on handclaps and a bouncing bassline. The song’s extended runtime in its original version provides sustained energy for longer cleaning tasks, while its universally positive message helps maintain motivation when fatigue sets in. Its association with joy and celebration makes it especially appropriate for preparing your home for year-end gatherings and new year festivities.
Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
This 2014 pop anthem about resilience and letting go of negativity perfectly captures the spirit of year-end cleaning and decluttering. Swift’s catchy lyrics and the song’s brass-heavy production create an empowering atmosphere that can help you finally part with items you’ve been holding onto unnecessarily. The track’s message about moving past setbacks aligns beautifully with the fresh-start mentality that drives year-end cleaning and organizing projects.
Paint the Town Red by Doja Cat
This 2023 hit samples the classic “Walk on By” while creating something entirely fresh and contemporary for your cleaning playlist. Doja Cat’s confident flow and the song’s hypnotic beat create a modern edge that appeals to listeners who want their cleaning music to reflect current trends. The track’s assertive energy is perfect for tackling challenging cleaning projects with determination, and its commercial success means it brings familiar, radio-ready appeal to your year-end cleaning sessions.
Water by Tyla
This 2023 breakout hit brings Afrobeats influences and infectious rhythms to contemporary pop music, creating a globally-flavored sound perfect for cleaning. Tyla’s smooth vocals over the song’s liquid-smooth production create a flowing, effortless energy that can help you maintain a steady cleaning pace without feeling rushed. The track’s sensual groove proves that cleaning music doesn’t have to be aggressive or overly energetic to be effective, sometimes a hypnotic rhythm works just as well. For more insights on enjoying music during activities, explore our guides on compare earbuds for the best audio experience.
Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo
While this 2023 release might seem like an unexpected choice for cleaning, its dramatic piano opening that explodes into a powerful rock chorus creates emotional catharsis perfect for aggressive cleaning sessions. Rodrigo’s raw vocal delivery and the song’s building intensity make it ideal for tasks that require focused energy, like scrubbing stubborn stains or hauling heavy items. The emotional release the song provides can transform cleaning from a mundane task into a therapeutic experience, especially during the reflective year-end period.
Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift
Though originally released in 2019, this track experienced a massive resurgence in 2023, making it feel like a new addition to cleaning playlists everywhere. The song’s synth-pop production and Swift’s impassioned bridge create mounting tension and release that mirrors the effort-reward cycle of cleaning projects. Its euphoric energy and sing-along chorus make it perfect for the final push when you’re almost finished with your year-end cleaning goals and need one last burst of motivation.
Flowers by Miley Cyrus
This 2023 self-love anthem became an instant classic, offering empowering lyrics and disco-influenced production perfect for solo cleaning sessions. Cyrus’ confident vocals and the song’s message about self-reliance create a powerful atmosphere for taking control of your space and your life through the simple act of cleaning. The track’s celebration of independence and self-care makes it especially meaningful for year-end cleaning, which represents taking responsibility for creating the environment where you’ll spend the coming year. For optimal sound quality while cleaning, check out our recommendations when you compare headphones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a good cleaning song?
Good cleaning songs typically feature upbeat tempos between 120-140 BPM, energizing melodies, and positive or empowering lyrics that maintain motivation. The best tracks have consistent energy throughout without dramatic slowdowns that might interrupt your cleaning flow. Songs that inspire movement and create a positive emotional state transform cleaning from a chore into an enjoyable activity.
How long should a cleaning playlist be?
An effective cleaning playlist should run 60-90 minutes to match typical deep-cleaning sessions without requiring constant attention to change music. For year-end cleaning projects that might span several hours or even days, consider creating a longer playlist of 3-4 hours or using streaming service radio features to keep music flowing. The key is having enough variety to prevent boredom while maintaining consistent energy throughout your cleaning session.
Should cleaning music be vocal or instrumental?
Both vocal and instrumental tracks work well for cleaning, though vocal music with engaging lyrics tends to be more motivating for most people. Songs with strong melodies and memorable hooks help pass time more enjoyably and can make repetitive tasks feel less monotonous. However, personal preference matters most—some people find instrumental music less distracting for focused organizational tasks while preferring high-energy vocal tracks for physical cleaning activities.
Can music actually make cleaning faster?
Research suggests that music with faster tempos can indeed increase work pace and physical movement speed during repetitive tasks like cleaning. Beyond the physical effects, music significantly impacts psychological perception of time and effort, making cleaning sessions feel shorter and less tedious. The motivational and mood-enhancing properties of music can also increase your willingness to start and maintain cleaning efforts, ultimately leading to more productive sessions.
How do I choose between classic and new songs for cleaning?
The best cleaning playlists balance familiar classics that provide nostalgic comfort with new releases that add freshness and excitement. Classic songs often have proven staying power and universal appeal, making them safe choices for group cleaning sessions, while new tracks keep your playlist feeling current and prevent boredom. Consider your personal connection to songs rather than their release date—a track that genuinely energizes you will always outperform one chosen simply because it’s popular or new.