Cleaning and tidying can be overwhelming regardless of whether it is one chore or the entire home that needs sorting.

The more overwhelming these tasks become, the longer they get left and the bigger the chore is when we finally get started.

But one cleaning and decluttering method aims to stop that cycle by changing how we approach cleaning into something very manageable.

Cleaning for just 20 minutes before a break makes getting on top of mess easier.

What is the 20-10 method?

The 20-10 method was created by author Rachel Hoffman and is explored in her book Unf--- Your Habitat: You're Better than Your Mess.

Hoffman says the book "is for anyone who has been left behind by traditional aspirational systems – the ones that ignore that you may have very real reasons that make it difficult to clean up your home, whether that's mental illness, disability, your living situation, or even just an incredibly busy life."

After a 20 minute session is done you feel rewarded with a 10 minute break.

To make cleaning and tidying approachable, she suggests breaking it down into 20-minute sessions followed by a 10-minute break.

"You might think there's not much that can be accomplished during 20 minutes of work, and that it might be difficult to make any progress in such a short amount of time. You'll be surprised, though, once you set that timer and get going – you can get way more done in 20 minutes than you might think," Hoffman wrote in an article for Elle.

The 10-minute break makes cleaning seem easier by allowing yourself a short window to do something you actually want to do.

How does the 20-10 method work?

The 20-10 method is as simple as choosing a chore or area of the house to tidy or declutter and then setting a timer.

You then do as much as you can in that 20 minutes and when the time is up you get 10 minutes to put your feet up, have a snack or however you want to rest and reward yourself.

When the 10 minutes is up you can do another 20-minute session either on the same thing or elsewhere, or you can just keep it at the one 20-minute session.

Breaking down cleaning into smaller sessions is more motivating than a marathon clean.

The idea is you can get your cleaning and tidying done without having to do marathon sessions, which can be off-putting and exhausting for many.

Doing just one or a few 20-10 sessions a day makes cleaning and tidying achievable, approachable and manageable so that it becomes a habit.

"Many people have great intentions to do full clean-outs of closets, rooms, or other areas, and as they start to plan it in their minds, the overwhelming thoughts of how much time will it take almost stops them in their tracks," Wendy Trunz, head organiser at Jane's Addiction Organisation, told Real Simple.

"This method sets small goals that can easily be accomplished."

What can be cleaned in a 20-10 session?

Anything and everything is possible to apply to the 20-10 method.

If it's a larger area or project you will need multiple sessions, which can be done on different days if you're someone who is OK with leaving things unfinished for a brief while.

For those who like to complete a task in the one go or on the same day can opt for less time-consuming chores and smaller spaces, like the bathroom vanity and mirror instead of the entire bathroom.

A basket of washing can be folded in a 20 minute session.

Here is some inspiration for smaller tasks:

- Declutter and tidy your cutlery drawer

- Disinfect all doorknobs and light switches in the house

- Declutter and tidy your sock drawer

- Sweep the kitchen floor

- Descale the kettle

- Take out the rubbish and recycling

- Dust a shelving unit

Hoffman has lots of inspiration for 20 minute cleans on her website ranging from mini to full challenges, such as tidying everything within sight of the front door and sweeping or mopping your bathroom floor.

What if I don't have or can't do 20 minutes?

Anything is better than nothing, so if you're really busy a few minutes of tidying is OK.

But for those who live with disability or chronic health issues, Hoffman says it's important to tweak as needed and do as much or as little as you can.

"I encourage anyone who has limitations to modify challenges, suggest alternatives, and, above all, put their health first. If you can only do five or three minutes of unf---ing, that's worth celebrating. If you accomplish something that's been modified so you can do it seated or in shorter stages, that's great, too," she says.

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