Keeping a Clean Home With Kids Around

Keeping a clean and tidy home can seem like an impossible task, especially when you have children running around. Toys scattered across the floor, spills on the countertops, and fingerprints on every surface can make it feel like you’re fighting a losing battle. However, with a few strategies and routines in place, it’s possible to maintain a clean and organized home while still enjoying quality time with your kids. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you achieve just that!

1. Establish Daily Cleaning Routines

• Start each day with a quick tidy-up session. Encourage your children to help by assigning age-appropriate tasks such as putting away toys or making their beds.
• Designate specific times during the day for cleaning tasks such as wiping down kitchen counters after meals or tidying up living areas before bedtime.
• Create a chore chart or checklist to keep track of responsibilities and motivate children to participate in household chores.

2. Implement the “One In, One Out” Rule

• Teach your children the concept of decluttering by enforcing the “one in, one out” rule. For every new toy or item they receive, encourage them to donate or discard one they no longer use or need. 
• Regularly purge closets, toy bins, and other storage areas to prevent clutter from accumulating. Kids grow fast! Donate their old outgrown clothes to other parents, charity shops, or consignment stores to free up space and give the clothes new life.

3. Organize and Streamline Storage Solutions

• Invest in storage solutions that are easy for children to use, such as labeled bins, baskets, and shelves. Make sure that whatever storage solution you choose is child-safe. Look for shelves that can be anchored to walls or floors.

• Keep frequently used items within reach and store less frequently used items higher up or in less accessible areas.
• Encourage children to clean up after themselves by making it easy for them to put things away in designated spots.

4. Set Limits on Screen Time

• Limiting screen time not only promotes healthy habits but also reduces the mess associated with excessive screen use, such as distracted snacking that leaves crumbs all over the furniture!
• Encourage outdoor play and creative activities that don’t involve electronic devices, helping to keep your home cleaner and your children engaged in meaningful activities.

5. Emphasize Good Hygiene Habits

• Teach your children the importance of cleanliness by establishing routines for washing hands, brushing teeth, and tidying up personal belongings.
• Provide accessible supplies such as hand sanitizer, tissues, and disinfectant wipes to encourage regular hygiene practices.

6. Introduce a Quick Clean-Up Time Before Bed

• Make it a nightly ritual for the entire family to tidy up common areas before bedtime. This helps your family wake up to a clean and organized home each morning!
• Use this clean-up time to reset and put things back in their proper places, reinforcing the habit of maintaining a tidy environment.

7. Involve Your Children in Household Tasks

• Turn cleaning into a fun and interactive activity by involving your children in age-appropriate household tasks.
• Assign specific chores or responsibilities based on their abilities and interests, making them feel like valued members of the household team.

8. Lead by Example

• Children learn by observing, so lead by example by demonstrating good cleaning habits and adopting a positive attitude toward household chores.
• Avoid complaining about cleaning tasks and instead focus on the benefits of living in a clean and organized environment!

9. Schedule Regular Deep Cleaning Sessions

• In addition to daily tidying, schedule regular deep cleaning sessions to tackle more thorough tasks such as mopping, cleaning baseboards, dusting high places, and cleaning bathrooms.
• Consider enlisting the help of professional cleaners for periodic deep cleaning to save time and ensure all areas of your home receive proper attention.

10. Practice Flexibility and Patience

• Understand that maintaining a clean and tidy home with kids is a continuous process and perfection is not the goal.
• Practice patience and flexibility, knowing that there will be times when messes happen and routines are disrupted. Focus on progress rather than perfection.

Don’t Hesitate to Hire a Residential Cleaning Service!

Keeping your home clean and tidy with kids is certainly challenging, but with the right strategies and mindset, it’s entirely achievable! By establishing daily routines, involving your children in household tasks, and maintaining a positive attitude, you can create a clean and organized environment where your family can thrive.

 Remember, it’s not about having a spotless home at all times, but rather creating a space that is comfortable, functional, and conducive to making lasting memories with your loved ones. If you’re ready to invest in a regular home cleaning service, get in touch with the team at Clean Pros of the Magic Valley. Our team of professional residential cleaners is here to help keep your home clean and free up time in your schedule to focus on other more important things, like your family!