Having kids adds a whole other level to house cleaning. They are big mess-makers who create a never-ending cycle of cleaning that is hard to get out of. However, kids are creatures of habit, and it is possible to teach them how to help keep your home clean at an early age.
When everyone pitches in, messes are easier to manage, and the entire household benefits from living in a happy, clean, and harmonious home. Here, Maid4Condos will share twelve good habits to manage your family’s mess and how our cleaning services in Toronto can help.
1. Accept the mess
Expecting you to “become one with the mess” is unrealistic. However, you can learn to accept the mess as part of hectic family life. If you can do this, you will reduce stress in the home, and learn to be less hard on yourself. When you just let your kids be kids, you aren’t constantly picking up after them, and maybe you can even get in there and join the fun.
2. Become a minimalist
As a parent, it’s hard not to spoil our kids and provide them with the things we didn’t have when we were growing up. However, it can make a mess of your home if you fail to understand the things that are worthwhile and the things that are simply wasteful and lack purpose.
Focus on becoming a minimalist, identifying the types of toys that make your kids happy, serve a purpose in their development, and help free up space and clutter in your home. If you do this from day one, kids will learn the importance of needs versus wants; in turn, your home will be easier to manage.
3. Purge old toys
Holding on to toys your kids have clearly outgrown is nostalgic, but also plays a major role in messes. It takes space to keep a home organized with kids, so, as mentioned above, the less stuff you have, the easier it is to keep your home clean.
Also, remember that toys the kids aren’t using can also go to families in need. Not only can you keep your home clutter-free, but also teach your kids the importance of sharing and charity.
4. Teach your kids where things “go”
Taking the time to create special areas for your kids’ belongings makes it easier for them to put things away. Invest in some storage bins, and label them. This way, kids a) know where to find things and b) know where they go when they are done with them.
You will reduce the amount of times you hear your kids shouting, “Mom, where’s my [insert toy of choice here]?” That way, you can relax while enjoying a more organized, tidier home. Best of all, you teach your kids about responsibility.
To make this plan work, take the kids out on a storage bin shopping trip and let them get involved in picking them out. Then, have them help sort their toys into the bins.
5. Organize the kids’ rooms
Use the same approach for toy organization in point number four in each child’s bedroom. Storage bins come in all shapes and sizes, and can be used for storing everything from hair accessories to art supplies and clothes to books.
6. Organize the entryway
Another area likely to overflow with belongings is the entryway. Whether you have a spacious entry with a closet or a tiny hall where you practically step into the living room, keeping the entryway organized goes a long way in keeping things clean.
Smaller halls can have hooks for each family member to hang coats and knapsacks/purses, along with a shoe bench or tray for footwear. Bins are great for smaller items, like hats and mitts. You can also hang a bag on each person’s hook for smaller items if space is limited.
7. Organize the bathroom
The older your kids get, the more products they will have in the family bathroom. Some ideas to keep things organized include:
- Drawers: If your vanity has drawers, give each person their own drawer. If it doesn’t have drawers, measure the area under the sink and invest in some affordable drawers at your local storage store. If your vanity has limited drawers, give each person a tray in the drawer.
- Personal care caddies: If your bathroom is unmanageably small, give each kid a personal care caddy they can bring into the bathroom when they get ready in the morning. They can keep it in their bedroom closet, on a desk, or wherever they like, just as long as it isn’t taking up space in the bathroom.
- Shower caddy: Shower caddies that fit neatly in the top corner or hang from the shower head are great for large families or families with kids who prefer their own soaps, shampoos, conditioners, shavers, etc.
When everyone gets into the habit of using their own designated space, the bathroom becomes neater.
8. Use laundry bags
Hang laundry bags on each kid’s bedroom door knob. They can get into the habit of tossing their laundry into the bag each night to keep their rooms tidy. You can then collect the bags on laundry day.
9. Teach them to clean their own messes
As your child develops skills, teach them age-appropriate cleaning tasks, so they understand the importance of cleaning up their messes. For example, toddlers can pick up their toys and put them back in the toy bin. Work alongside them until they are old enough to start doing it on their own. Then, have a rule that they must clean up any mess they make.
10. Clean your own messes
Messy habits are usually taught. Therefore, set a good example by cleaning up your own messes. That way, your kids will learn from you and make an effort to clean up after themselves.
11. Assign age-appropriate chores
Have kids pitch in on cleaning day, handling age-appropriate chores. Whether it is helping to sweep the floor, dusting, vacuuming, etc., it’s important that kids understand families work together to keep the home clean. The more, the merrier, and the faster the work gets done.
12. Take a mindful approach
If the idea of cleaning is stressful, take a mindful approach when doing so. Focus on completing each task as a form of meditation. Envision the reward of a tidy home, listen to soothing music, or practice deep breathing as you clean.
Your good cleaning habits are passed down to your kids, so they will enjoy the calm of a clean home when it’s time to fly the coop.
If the idea of cleaning is still overwhelming, you can depend on Maid4Condo’s cleaning services in Toronto to do the work for you. For more information, you can contact us online or call us at 647-822-0601.
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