Call me dull but when the family’s away, I love to tidy up first, then do all the things I would normally do (w/out distraction). However, I also turn up the stereo to get my groove on, and of course order dinner from a place they never let me. Either Chinese dumplings, Detroit-style pizza, street-style Thai, or Texas-style barbecue.
A chainmail scrubber is great for cast iron, steel, and ceramic. I’ve had the same one for eight years. I still use sponges too and go through one a month.