How to Clean With Kids Around and Keep Your Cool

We’ve all been there; trying to keep a clean and tidy home as well as trying to look after the kids. While family life always takes precedent, having a clean and sparkling home is something that we all love to have. While cleaning around children may seem like something of an oxymoron, there are ways that you can be the ultimate domestic goddess without losing your cool.

Here are our top tips on cleaning with your little terrors around.

Tip 1: Don’t try to do it all in one day!

Unless you are Mary Poppins, the likelihood is that you won’t have all day to clean as well as fulfilling your mom duties. It’s time look at how you can clean little and often. If the kids are playing in the living room, clean the kitchen. If they’re in bed, make time to tidy the living room. Compartmentalize tasks rather look at the house as a whole. If you know the beds need changing, do them all; but make that the only job you do that day. Likewise, this works when cleaning the windows. Sometimes working on a task by task basis, as opposed to a room by room basis ensures that you aren’t missing those all important jobs.

Tip 2: Create a schedule

Keeping a schedule can be an excellent way to stay on top of your home. You know your family routine better than anyone. When the kids are at playgroup on a Monday, for example, you could use those few spare hours to deep clean the bathroom. Create a plan and stick to it. You’ll find once you’re on top of the cleaning, it’ll be a breeze every week after that. You won’t have to spend a much time cleaning. Let’s face it; that’s what we all want!

Tip 3: Get the kids involved

Teenagers are renowned for not being clean and organized. But, if you instill this from an early age, you may be able to avoid the pitfalls of the grumpy teenager. Make cleaning a fun task that the family can get involved in. Turn cleaning into a game and assign tasks for each family member that is age appropriate. Your five year old can polish the woodwork while your older kids can sort out the washing. OK, it may not be up to the same high standards that you are used to, but it will instill good habits and give you a welcome break as well as a helping hand too.

Tip 4: Clean as you go

We cannot stress the importance of this tip enough! So many people leave jobs until they build up, but cleaning as you go can save you time. If you’re cooking dinner, wipe up the mess straight away. If you’ve had a shower, shower screen cleaning can avoid water build up and marks. You don’t have to scrub every room to an inch of its life, but the adage tidy as you go really will help you make light work of your domestic chores.

Of course, nothing beats family time. You don’t have to dedicate all of your days to cleaning. Remember, taking time out for you is important too.