Home and Garden

Cleaning your house with kids in it can feel nearly impossible. You are cleaning one mess all the while others are making multiple other messes. The good news is that there are things you can do to have a cleaner home even with kids in it. Challenges of cleaning with young kids Young children are still learning about their surroundings and often engage in activities that create messes, such as playing with toys, drawing, and making crafts. Kids may not yet have the ability to organize and clean up their own belongings, making it hard for parents to keep things tidy. Children have a tendency to get easily distracted d and may not be able to focus on cleaning tasks for an extended period of time. Young children may not have the physical ability to reach certain areas or use cleaning tools effectively. Cleaning is not a naturally exciting task for kids and they may not be motivated to do it without adult guidance or incentives. Young children may require constant supervision to prevent accidents, making it difficult for parents to have time for cleaning. Young kids tend to use certain items repeatedly, like toys, books, and clothes, making it hard to keep them clean and organized. Children's behavior can be unpredictable, making it hard to plan and schedule cleaning tasks. Build routines and habits to help make cleaning your home easier. Building healthy habits and routines is essential to help keep your home from getting completely out of control when you have young kids on hand. from small routines like picking up things as you walk past them to bigger ones like giving the bathroom a deep clean while your preschooler displays in the bath there are a few great things you can do to make cleaning your home easier. When cooking dinner load dishes directly into the dishes washer or into a sink full of soapy water and spend some time wiping them down and giving the floors a quick cleaning while you cook. This will get more done with your time while you stir and monitor the food cooking. While bathing young kids that like to spend some time playing in the bath you can wipe down the counters, clean the toilet, and even Swiffer the floor or walls while chatting with your child. This is easy to do while giving your child your full attention. Organize your spaces Organizing your spaces can seem like a daunting task, especially when you have kids. But with a few simple tips, you can make your home a more organized and clutter-free place. Here's a quick guide to help you get started: Start small: Don't try to organize your entire house all at once. Instead, start with a small space, like a closet or a single room, and work your way up. Get rid of clutter: The first step in organizing any space is to get rid of clutter. Go through your items and decide what you need, what you don't need, and what you can donate or sell. Use storage solutions: Once you've gotten rid of clutter, you'll need to find a place to store the items you want to keep. Invest in storage solutions, like baskets, bins, and shelves, to help keep your space organized. Create a system: To keep your space organized, you'll need to create a system for putting things away. Consider using labels or color coding to help you keep track of what goes where. Get the kids involved: Encourage your kids to help out with organizing by assigning them simple tasks, like putting away their toys or folding clothes. This not only helps keep your space organized, but it also teaches kids the importance of keeping a tidy home. Make it a habit: Organizing your space is not a one-time task. It's important to make it a habit by regularly putting things away and decluttering. This will help keep your space organized and make it easier to maintain. Be flexible: Remember, organizing your space is a process, and it may take time to find what works best for you and your family. Be flexible and be willing to make changes as needed. Creating a Safe and Healthy Environment Creating a safe and healthy environment for your kids is a top priority for any parent. One way to do this is by cleaning your home. Here's a quick guide to help you get started: Clean regularly: Regular cleaning is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for your kids. Make cleaning a regular part of your routine and be sure to clean high-touch areas, like door handles and light switches, frequently. Use non-toxic cleaning products: When cleaning your home, be sure to use non-toxic cleaning products to reduce the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Consider using natural cleaning products, like vinegar and baking soda, or opt for green cleaning products that are free of harsh chemicals. Dust and vacuum regularly: Dust and vacuum your home regularly to reduce the amount of allergens and irritants in the air. Pay special attention to areas where kids spend a lot of time, like their bedrooms and play areas. Wash bedding frequently: Wash bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and blankets, frequently to reduce the risk of exposure to allergens and irritants. Make sure to use hot water to kill any germs and bacteria. Keep the home well-ventilated: Good ventilation is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for your kids. Make sure to open windows and turn on fans to keep the air fresh and circulating. Store cleaning products safely: Store cleaning products out of reach of kids, and be sure to keep them in a locked cabinet or closet. Make sure that kids understand the importance of not touching cleaning products and always supervise them when they're in the cleaning area. Clean up spills immediately: Clean up spills and messes immediately to reduce the risk of slips and falls. Use a non-toxic cleaner and a clean cloth to clean up the spill, and make sure that the area is dry before allowing kids to return. Managing Laundry Managing laundry can be a daunting task, especially for busy parents. But with a few simple tips and tricks, you can make laundry day a breeze. Here's a quick guide to help you get started: Set a laundry schedule: To keep on top of laundry, set a regular schedule for washing, drying, and folding clothes. Make sure everyone in the household knows the schedule and is responsible for putting their dirty clothes in the laundry basket. Sort clothes by color and type: Sorting clothes by color and type before washing can help prevent color bleeding and damage to delicate fabrics. Make sure to separate whites, darks, and lights and to read care labels to determine the best wash cycle for each item. Use the right detergent: Using the right detergent is essential for getting clothes clean and fresh. Choose a detergent that's appropriate for your family's needs, whether that's a gentle detergent for sensitive skin or a heavy-duty detergent for tough stains. Use fabric softener: To keep clothes feeling soft and fresh, use fabric softener in the wash cycle. You can also use dryer sheets to reduce static and add a fresh scent to clothes. Don't overload the machine: Overloading the washing machine can damage clothes and prevent them from getting clean. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the maximum load size and to distribute clothes evenly in the machine. Hang clothes to dry: Hanging clothes to dry is a great way to save energy and reduce wear and tear on clothes. Make sure to hang clothes in a well-ventilated area and avoid hanging wet clothes in direct sunlight. Fold clothes as soon as they're dry: Folding clothes as soon as they're dry can help prevent wrinkles and make it easier to put them away. Encourage your kids to help with folding and make it a fun activity by singing songs or telling jokes. Skip the folding: Honestly in busy seasons or when you are in survival mode your kids wont die if you skip folding their clothes. Most kid's clothes are made out of materials that unwrinkle easily making skipping the folding just fine. If your worried you an just skip their play clothes and still fold the clothing they wear out to school or on outings. Play clothes don't; last long before they are a mess anyway. Teach kids to clean up after themselves. Teaching kids to clean up after themselves is an important life skill that will serve them well into adulthood. Here's a quick guide to help you get started: Start early: The earlier you start teaching kids to clean up after themselves, the easier it will be. Begin by giving young children simple tasks, like putting away toys, and gradually increase the difficulty as they grow older. Lead by example: Kids learn by example, so make sure to clean up after yourself and model the behavior you want to see in your kids. Show them how to clean up and explain why it's important. Make it a routine: Cleaning up should become a regular part of your kids' routine, like brushing their teeth or getting dressed. Encourage them to clean up after themselves every day, and be consistent with your expectations. Give clear instructions: When giving your kids cleaning tasks, make sure to give clear instructions and demonstrate what you want them to do. Use simple language and be patient, and be willing to help if they need it. Make it a game: Cleaning up can be a boring task for kids, so make it more fun by turning it into a game. You could have a race to see who can clean up the fastest, or play music and dance while cleaning up. Provide the right tools: Make sure your kids have the right tools to clean up, like a broom, dustpan, and cleaning cloths. Teach them how to use these tools properly and how to take care of them. Reinforce good behavior: When your kids do a good job cleaning up, make sure to reinforce their behavior with praise and rewards. This will encourage them to continue cleaning up and make it a habit. Be patient: Cleaning up is a learned behavior and it may take time for your kids to get the hang of it. Be patient and continue to encourage and support them, and they'll get there in no time. Use tools to help make cleaning more organized. My family started using the Sweepy app this year and I have to say keeping our home clean has been easier than ever. You add in each room and the chores connected and then have your family help get them all done. Once they are done the chore will turn to green and we can pick through the reds to see what needs done next. Perhaps the best part is that I am rewarding points earned each day so even the younger kids are doing their share around the house to help out. Things won't change over night but when you put in the work your home can stay cleaner and less stressful.