I Sucked at Cleaning My House — Until I Discovered This Free Hack

An unfortunate truth that I've come to accept about myself is that I am, at my core, the worst at doing chores. Ya know how in rom-coms, when the protagonist is stressed or heartbroken, she typically works through it by putting on some rubber gloves and scrubbing her house from top to bottom? I've never related. I hate dusting, washing dishes is my nightmare, vacuuming is a pain in the ass, and don't even get me started on doing laundry. But recently, I discovered something that has completely changed my attitude toward chores, and it's free.

To my fellow dirty boos: this one's for you.

It turns out that all I need to turn a dreaded day of chores into something I look forward to is a good podcast. I simply pop on my headphones, turn on a good podcast series, and get to work! While I listen to a gripping tale of true crime or laugh out loud at a comedian's gripes about life, chores transform into an excuse to have some fun. In only a year of listening to podcasts, my apartment has become more organized than ever, my dogs are walked more frequently, and my sink has never been so dish-less.

So to anybody who struggles with household chores, I urge you: grab your earbuds, download one of these free shows, and get to work! Here are the 19 utterly addictive podcasts that have changed my life and helped me become a cleaning machine.

Heaven's Gate

Heaven's Gate

What it's about: This podcast features authentic recordings of the intriguing Heaven's Gate cult that operated from the mid '70s to the late '90s, hosted by fantastic storyteller Glynn Washington.

Listen to Heaven's Gate here!

Thirst Aid Kit

Thirst Aid Kit

What it's about: Why do we crush on the celebrities we do? Hosts Bim Adewunmi and Nichole Perkins dive into lust, focusing on a different celebrity "thirst object" in every episode. The show is surprisingly insightful and inspiring, and you'll definitely walk away with your celebrity crushes intensified — especially after hearing the fan-fiction "drabbles" that conclude each episode.

Editor's note: I highly recommend starting with the Chris Evans episode where he calls in to give an inspiring, adorable, and oh-so-crush-worthy interview! (Oh, and this podcast is frequently NSFW.)

Listen to Thirst Aid Kit here!

Ear Hustle

Ear Hustle

What it's about: This podcast is written, recorded, and produced by San Quentin State Prison inmates, offering a gripping, nuanced look at life behind bars in modern-day America.

Listen to Ear Hustle here!

Dirty John

Dirty John

What it's about: Dirty John investigates the tumultuous relationship between Debra Newell and John Meehan, a man who is not as he appears. Their romance is one of passion, danger, and deception that ultimately impacts more than just the two of them.

Listen to Dirty John here!

Missing & Murdered

Missing & Murdered

What it's about: Each season of this series focuses on a different indigenous Canadian woman who fell victim to an atrocious crime. Hosted by news reporter Connie Walker, the podcast searches for answers for the victims' families — and lays bare many brutal truths about the treatment of indigenous communities in the process.

Editor's note: This is an emotionally intense podcast that made me cry on public transportation, so don't go into it lightly.

Listen to Missing & Murdered here!

S-Town

S-Town

What it's about: This investigative podcast has mazes, murder, and buried treasure — and somehow, that's the least crazy part of it all. Focused on an Alabama man who hates the "sh*t town" he's lived in all his life, the show's twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat while you listen.

Listen to S-Town here!

My Favorite Murder

My Favorite Murder

What it's about: Hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark blend comedy with unapologetically gruesome stories of murder that will delight true-crime fans.

Listen to My Favorite Murder here!

2 Dope Queens

2 Dope Queens

What it's about: Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson host 2 Dope Queens, a podcast featuring three guest comedians per episode; they discuss issues related to sex, race, and gender.

Listen to 2 Dope Queens here!

Lore

Lore

What it's about: This award-winning podcast explores the terrifyingly real stories behind creatures, places, and things you may be familiar with — but these are not your regular campfire stories.

Listen to Lore here!

Serial

Serial

What it's about: This podcast reexamines the murder of Hae Min Lee, a closed case, for which her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was sentenced to life in prison.

Editor's note: This is a series you'll want to pay close attention to, so make sure to listen while you're doing mindless chores like folding laundry.

Listen to Serial here!

Who? Weekly

Who? Weekly

What it's about: This hilarious podcast focuses on Hollywood's "Who"s — B-list celebrities whose names you might not know off the top of your head — rather than "Them"s, and it's a perfect addiction for any pop culture junkie who wants to stay in the know.

Listen to Who? Weekly here!

My Dad Wrote a Porno

My Dad Wrote a Porno

What it's about: British writer Jamie Morton uncovered that his father had once ventured into the world of self-published erotica. But instead of shoving the story aside and pretending it never existed, Jamie decided to enlist the help of a few friends and read it for everyone to hear.

Editor's note: Need I say "NSFW"?

Listen to My Dad Wrote a Porno here!

Up and Vanished

Up and Vanished

What it's about: This podcast investigates the 2005 disappearance of Tara Grinstead, a Georgia teacher and beauty pageant queen, and features real interviews with active people of interest in the case.

Listen to Up and Vanished here!

Oprah's Super Soul Conversations

Oprah's Super Soul Conversations

What it's about: Hosting thoughtful and mind-flexing conversations with experts, authors, doctors, and public figures, Oprah Winfrey explores meaningful topics in a way that draws you in.

Listen to Oprah's Super Soul Conversations here!

Where Should We Begin?

Where Should We Begin?

What it's about: This fascinating series is hosted by psychotherapist Esther Perel, and it features anonymous couples who dive into the most intimate, and often uncomfortable, parts of their relationships in an effort to be heard and understood.

Editor's note: As you might have guessed, some episodes of this podcast focus on intimate moments and are therefore NSFW.

Listen to Where Should We Begin? here!

Unhappy Hour

Unhappy Hour

What it's about: This podcast is, quite literally, about "everything we love to hate." Comedian and host Matt Bellassai interviews special guests, whines about topics from squirrels to Disney princesses, and plays fun games like "Bowl of Sh*t Talk."

Editor's note: This podcast is laugh-out-loud funny, so beware of downright cackling to yourself while you listen.

Listen to Unhappy Hour here!

Atlanta Monster

Atlanta Monster

What it's about: Created by the folks behind Up and Vanished, this podcast investigates the murders of at least 28 Atlanta children in the 1970s — and the man who was eventually blamed for the crimes. You'll go back and forth between believing his guilt and his innocence; the entire show is a wild ride.

Listen to Atlanta Monster here!

Bad With Money

Bad With Money

What it's about: Host Gaby Dunn wants to get real about finances in a way that's approachable, not preachy. For a series that's focused on a normally intimidating topic, this show is funny, relatable, and nonjudgmental.

Listen to Bad With Money here!

Bon Appétit Foodcast

Bon Appétit Foodcast

What it's about: Bon Appétit's charming Editor in Chief Adam Rapoport interviews chefs, food writers, and other people who are involved in the culinary scene. This is a great podcast to listen to while cleaning your kitchen!

Listen to Bon Appétit Foodcast here!