Relationships are complicated. You think you are always right, you don't want to listen to your partner, you have to make compromises… On the other hand, you love your boyfriend/girlfriend and you want to have a steady and healthy relationship with as little quarrelling as possible. It is easy when you two live separately but when you move in together any small problem or flaw can get worse.

Everybody is accustomed to their own way of life and have habits that may be annoying to other people. Most of the quarrels in a couple are connected with small, insignificant things like when men put their cup of coffee on the table without placing a pad or saucer under. Cleaning issues are another big problem for couples. Women tend to nag about dirty socks scattered all over the place and men complain about women nagging them. It happens all the time and keeps on and on, and on… until women start crying the words: “You don't understand me” and men shut the door.

To avoid situations like that one you need to create a good cleaning plan that will facilitate the entire process. Here we offer a few tips on how to clean together and keep your relationship in harmony or you could trust your cleaning duties to an outside contractor.

Set up rules: who is going to clean when and what

Girls, it's time to face the truth: men don't like cleaning, they were just not meant for this. Except for a few rare exceptions, men generally hate decluttering. But it doesn't mean that you have to do all the cleaning alone. It's not that women like decluttering either but they simply cannot stand living in a mess. And while it is true that men are not expected to put the house in order, they can do some cleaning too every now and then. Just for the sport. Or at least they can make sure they don't make a mess, or they can clean all the mess they made. So, you two need to agree on something. Make rules and try to follow them. It will make it easy for both of you.

If you are pissed off because your guy doesn't mind the pigsty you need to speak up. Just tell them you are not okay with it. He should participate in the cleaning too. You share your lives together, your sorrows and happiness, but you also share your duties. Just make it clear to him.

Split up the tasks

Another way you can go is to split up the tasks. If the job isn't done the right way, make punishments. For example, you can make your man take you shopping. If there is something that men really hate, it's hanging out in the shop all day while you are trying on clothes. This punishment will make him think well before he starts cleaning and decluttering. You can be assured his attitude towards the entire process will change. You can think of other punishments as well. Just make him do something he doesn't like and get ready to enjoy the results.

So, if you two get to an agreement about the housekeeping, your life together will be much more enjoyable and easier.

Set up some rules and make sure you both follow them.

Good luck!