How To Keep the House Clean With Kids
So, picture this: you finally get the living room looking like a Pinterest dream—everything tidy, floors gleaming, pillows fluffed just right. Then, in a blink of an eye (or a few minutes with your little whirlwinds), it’s like a tornado ripped through, leaving toys everywhere, crumbs on the floor, and a mystery stain on the couch. Sound familiar? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Learning how to keep the house clean with kids is like playing an endless game of cleanup, but with the right strategies and a few awesome gadgets, you can stay ahead of the mess and reclaim your sanity.
Let’s be real, cleaning with kids isn’t always a walk in the park. It’s more like a marathon sprint where the finish line keeps moving. But fear not, because I’ve got some seriously practical tips and nifty products that will make your cleaning routine easier and more efficient. Whether you’re dealing with sticky fingerprints on windows or a trail of Legos across the floor, these hacks are designed to help you conquer clutter and keep your home looking (almost) Instagram-worthy.
This post contains affiliate links which means that I will make a small commission if you purchase a product after clicking on any of them, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.
Tips on How to Keep the House Clean with Kids
Let’s talk about keeping your house clean with kids without immediately jumping into the life changing gadgets I want to share with you today.
I’ve been there—overwhelmed by the constant mess and struggling to find a balance. I used to never have a cleaning routine or set schedules. It was chaos, with toys everywhere, and I felt like I was drowning in clutter.Â
But then I discovered the power of a routine. Establishing a cleaning schedule and setting clear expectations for everyone in the family transformed our home. Now, we have designated times for tidying up, and it’s made a world of difference in reducing stress and keeping things organized.
Creating a cleaning routine isn’t just about maintaining a tidy house; it’s about teaching valuable life skills to your kids. By leading by example, showing them that cleaning is a shared responsibility, we’ve instilled habits that will benefit them for life.Â
These tips below are going to help so much in keeping your home clean and organized…
Set Clear Expectations: Teach your kids from a young age that cleaning up after themselves is part of family life. Make it clear that everyone contributes to keeping the house tidy. For example, after they eat, ask them to out their dish in the sink.Â
Make It a Routine:Â Establishing a daily or weekly cleaning routine with specific tasks for each family member is crucial for maintaining a tidy home and teaching responsibility to your kids. For example, in our household, my partner takes charge of doing the laundry, while I handle folding clothes. We’ve also involved our son by assigning him the task of collecting all the socks and matching them up during folding time. It’s important for children to understand that everyone has responsibilities and that maintaining a household is a team effort.Â
Use Timer Challenges: Turn cleaning into a game by setting a timer and challenging your kids to see how much they can tidy up before the buzzer goes off. It adds an element of fun and motivation.
Create a Chore Chart: Make a visual chore chart with tasks appropriate for each child’s age. Let them choose stickers or rewards for completing tasks, reinforcing positive behavior.
Lead by Example: Show your kids that cleaning is something everyone does. When they see you tidying up and organizing, they’re more likely to follow suit.
Teaching Kids to Clean (Yes, It’s Possible!)
Now, let’s dive into the rewarding challenge of getting the kids involved in maintaining a tidy house. Teaching children to clean up after themselves can be tough—it often feels like a never-ending task. But it’s incredibly important for their development and instilling a sense of responsibility.Â
I’ve been working on this with my little one from a young age, emphasizing that we’re a team and everyone pitches in to keep our home neat. It’s about teaching them that we don’t have a maid; I’m their mom, and together, we take care of our space.Â
Starting early helps them form habits that will serve them well as they grow, showing them that cleaning up isn’t just a chore but a way to contribute to our family’s well-being and comfort. By making it a part of our routine and celebrating their efforts, we’re nurturing skills that will benefit them for life.
Start Young: Even toddlers can help! Make it a game—see who can pick up the most toys in two minutes.
Make It Routine: Create a simple chore chart with pictures for younger kids. They love checking off tasks and feeling like big helpers.
Set Clear Expectations: Explain what “cleaning up” means. Break tasks down into small steps so it’s less overwhelming for them.
Additional Tips to Keep the House Clean with Kids
Here are some more strategies to maintain order in your home:
One Toy Rule: Encourage kids to put away one toy before taking out another. It helps maintain order and teaches responsibility.
Baby Carrier or Swing: If you have a baby who loves being held while you clean, invest in a comfy baby carrier like the Ergobaby Omni 360. For moments when you need hands-free time, a soothing baby swing like the Graco Simple Sway can be a lifesaver.
Laundry Basket System: Use separate baskets for lights, darks, and delicates to streamline laundry time. Teach older kids to sort their own clothes—it’s a game-changer.
Stay on Top of Laundry: Aim to do a load of laundry every day or every other day to prevent a mountain of clothes piling up. It’s easier to manage small loads than tackling a massive heap on the weekend.
Cleaning Hacks for Busy Moms (Useful Gadgets)
Now that we’ve covered some practical tips, let’s dive into cleaning gadgets that have revolutionized my cleaning routine, saving me hours of time and effort. These gadgets are more than just tools—they’re investments that make household chores easier and more efficient. Some of them even automate tasks, taking a significant load off your shoulders. If you’re looking to streamline your cleaning process and create more time for yourself, these gadgets are worth considering.
1. Robot Vacuum
Seriously, investing in a robot vacuum like the iRobot Roomba is a game-changer. It zips around picking up crumbs and dust bunnies while you tackle other tasks or sip your coffee.
2. Wet Dry Floor Cleaner
You know those days when spills happen every five minutes? The Tineco iFloor 3 Breeze is your hero. It picks up spills effortlessly and leaves your floors spotless. I use it to mop my entire house! After mopping the water in the vacuum always looks so dirty so you’ll be able to see it really gets the job done. I hate mopping so I really can’t live without this one.
3. Water Vacuum Spot Cleaner
For spills of the couch, carpet or even on the bed the BISSELL Multipurpose Cleaner works like magic. I’ve dropped wine on my couch and then used this machine and theres zero stains on my couch. I’ve also used it on my mattress and carpet to suck up other spills.Â
4. Baby Safe Cleaning Supplies
For wiping down surfaces without worrying about harsh chemicals, try Seventh Generation All Purpose Wipes. They’re gentle yet effective, perfect for quick clean-ups.
5. Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
These things are magic. They grab onto dirt and dust like nobody’s business. Stock up on a bunch and keep them handy in every room for easy access
6. Toy Organization
Limit the number of toys out at a time and rotate them regularly. This reduces clutter and makes clean-up more manageable.
7. Electric Spin Scrubber
This electric spin scrubber is perfect for cleaning the shower. It removes really tough stains. No more breaking your back scrubbing and scrubbing.
8. Laundry Separator
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Keeping a clean house with kids is all about finding strategies that work for your family. With a little planning, the right tools, and some teamwork, you can create a home that’s not just clean but also a place where everyone feels comfortable and happy. So, don’t stress over the occasional mess—embrace the chaos, use these tips, and enjoy more moments of laughter and joy with your little ones in a space that feels like home sweet home.
PS: What’s your ultimate cleaning hack? Share it in the comments below and let’s make cleaning fun (or at least bearable)!
RELATED: 23 TIME-SAVING TIPS FOR BUSY MOMS AND DADS
RELATED: HOW TO WORK FROM HOME WITH KIDS WITHOUT GOING CRAZY
