A clean family home is always something we strive for as parents, but it’s not always possible. Family life is busy by nature, and there is almost always something more pressing to take care of. Unfortunately, just a few days of pushing housework to the bottom of the list can build up into what feels more like a cave of chaos than a cosy retreat. If we can manage to keep on top of things and keep a clean and tidy home, we will feel the benefits in more ways than one. Our family will be safer, calmer and better able to connect with each other without dirt and clutter getting in the way.
Here are 10 quick tips to help you keep a clean and tidy home with minimal (but regular) effort.
1. Stick to a Cleaning Timetable
Work out on which days and at which times you can complete certain tasks and write them down. Having a plan to follow will make it easier to organise your time and also break the chores into smaller chunks, so you only have small jobs to tackle each day.
From time to time, it’s worth doing a deep clean of the house, but this can be difficult to do when you’re a busy mum. Don’t discount the idea of hiring a professional house cleaning service to give yourself a fresh start.
2. Pick Up a Bit of Clutter Every Day
If you see clutter, pick it up there and then. Leaving it until tomorrow will only create a bigger job in the long run.
3. Keep Cleaning Supplies in Several Rooms
When you buy cleaning products like wipes or sponges, buy a few packs so you can keep them in multiple rooms. This means that when you see a spill or some dirt, you can quickly take care of it there and then.
4. Use a Multi-purpose Cleaner
Don’t waste your money or time with a cupboard full of different cleaning products for surfaces. A multi-purpose cleaner will work throughout your home.
5. Vacuum as Much as Possible
A lot of vacuums have different settings which mean you can use them on multiple floor types, including hard floors and carpets of different piles. Take advantage of the settings and use the vacuum everywhere – forget the time-consuming sweeping brush! For even more convenience, consider investing in a robot vacuum cleaner which will automatically take care of the floors for you.
6. Use a Lint Roller for Pet Hair
If you have pets, you’ll know that their hair can quickly build up if you don’t stay on top of it. Get yourself a lint roller and keep it handy to give soft furnishings a quick wipe when you can.
7. Quick Fix for Water Stains
Water stains can be frustrating, but the truth is you don’t need anything more complicated than a lemon. Cut it in half and rub the juice over the stains. After a few minutes, rinse off and enjoy the shine.
8. Keep Old Toothbrushes
Don’t throw your old toothbrushes away – they make great scrubbers for those hard to reach areas such as between tiles, plug holes and around the sink. Again, lemon juice is great for cleaning and leaves a lovely citrus scent behind.
9. Baking Soda & Vinegar Oven Scrub
Try putting baking soda and vinegar in your oven, leave for a while and then simply wipe it away. No elbow grease, no fuss.
10. Give Yourself a Break
Finally, no one is perfect, and no home is clean all the time. Give yourself a rest from time to time and make sure you’re not taking on too much. Ask your partner or – if they’re old enough – your children to help you, and if all else fails, don’t forget about the professionals!
