As a busy parent, keeping a clean home can feel like an impossible task. With work, school, sports, and other activities filling our schedules, when are we supposed to find time to tidy up? Thankfully, there are some quick cleaning strategies that can help busy moms and dads keep chaos at bay.
Make Cleaning a Habit
The best way to keep a clean home as a busy parent is to make cleaning a daily habit. When you clean a little each day, messes don’t have time to build up into overwhelming disasters. Here are some tips for making quick cleanups a regular routine:
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Clean for 10-15 minutes before going to bed each night. Tackle any dishes in the sink, wipe down counters, pick up toys, and sweep.
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Do one major task each day. Monday could be bathrooms, Tuesday vacuuming, Wednesday dusting, etc.
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Set a timer and put on some music. This adds some fun and urgency to cleaning sessions.
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Create checklists and assign chores. Check them off as they are completed.
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Have family cleaning time after dinner where everyone tidies the house together.
Target Key Areas
Focus your limited time on key areas that have the biggest impact. For most busy parents, these quick win zones include:
Kitchen
- Wipe down sinks, appliances, and countertops daily.
- Do dishes after every meal.
- Sweep floor.
- Clear off counters and dining table.
Bathrooms
- Wipe down sinks, counters, mirrors.
- Quick scrub of toilets and showers.
- Restock toilet paper, towels.
Common Areas
- Pick up clutter, dishes, trash.
- Tidy pillows, blankets on sofa.
- Vacuum high traffic areas.
Streamline with Organizational Tools
Being organized is essential to quick cleaning with limited time. Consider implementing systems like:
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Bins and baskets to corral toys, books, shoes.
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Coat racks, cubbies. Designate spots for bags, keys, backpacks.
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Labels to clearly show where things belong.
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Scheduled purge sessions to sort through accumulated clutter.
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Meal plans and grocery lists. Reduces food waste.
Enlist the Kids
Don’t try to clean the whole house alone. Get the kids involved from an early age with chores like:
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Picking up toys. Even toddlers can put toys in bins.
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Wiping surfaces. Preschoolers can help wipe tables and counters.
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Folding laundry. Elementary kids can fold towels and washcloths.
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Feeding pets. Older children can handle pet care tasks.
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Vacuuming. Supervise as kids vacuum halls and their bedrooms.
Assign chores based on age ability. Make it fun by setting timers or playing music. Reward their efforts with praise or stickers on a chore chart.
Outsource When Possible
When time is extremely limited, consider outsourcing some cleaning tasks. Options include:
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Hiring a cleaning service for deep cleans.
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Using a laundry service for wash and fold.
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Ordering grocery delivery to cut shopping time.
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Getting takeout instead of cooking meals.
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Paying a neighborhood teen to mow, water plants, etc.
While not free, paying others for time consuming tasks can buy you time with your family. Evaluate costs versus benefits.
Embrace the Mess
The most important tip? Go easy on yourself. With kids running around, some clutter and mess is inevitable. Don’t beat yourself up over an unmade bed or dirty dishes in the sink. Focus on areas that directly impact health and hygiene like kitchens, bathrooms, and play areas. Perfection is not required to be a great parent.
While cleaning with kids underfoot can seem impossible, implementing some of these quick tips can help maintain a relatively tidy home, even during hectic times. Establish simple habits, target key areas, enlist the kids, and outsource when you can. Most of all, give yourself permission to let go of perfection. Aim for functional over flawless, and don’t forget to enjoy this precious season with your little ones!
