Thirteen different moms share their number one cleaning tips and how to stay on top of household chores. Doing a little bit each day. Creating a cleaning schedule. Even getting the kids to help. These moms have some great advice for you!
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One of the most overwhelming parts of Mom Life is staying on top of the mess that accumulates each day with children. They can demolish a room in no time flat. Not to mention all the dishes, laundry, etc.
We have been doing a Mom Life Interview Series around here on Saturdays since the beginning of 2019. Each mom answers a few questions and shares about their life as a mom. One of the optional questions is, “Do you have any tips for staying on top of household chores?“
In My Mom Life interview, I did NOT answer this question. I actually put it in because I need all the cleaning tips for moms! Luckily, I’ve gotten so many ideas from the great advice these mamas have. I definitely notice some common themes – see if you spot them too!
Don’t worry, I also have them neatly summarized for you right at the bottom… I got you, Busy Mommas!
Alright, I do have a few cleaning tips that worked better when the kiddos were younger… How to help young children love cleaning
Top Cleaning Tips for Moms
Rotating Cleaning Schedule
Have a rotating schedule. Don’t clean the entire house every day. Set a bathroom day, a laundry day (or two), a kitchen day and any other kind of day to break the work load up.
Everyone does their share
Yes, get the children to do their share. I have not unstacked a dishwasher in two years.
Also Read: Labeling School Supplies – how to keep it easy and organized
Nightly ritual
I load the dishwasher every night before bed, no matter how tired I am. Having clear counters and an empty sink is a great way to start my morning.
Write it down!
I’m a planner, so I generally pick one or two things per day and write them down in my planner at the beginning of the week on the days I want to accomplish them.
Also Read: Use Your Planner – the BEST way to stay organized
Plan it out
Use some sort of calendar! Any will do.
Check out these great cleaning calendars!
Daily Chores
We schedule chores out by day. Mondays and Thursdays are laundry, dusting is Tuesday, etc. The boys have their assigned chores too…it’s important to instill responsibility in them and teach them to be independent.
Get the kids involved!
We have the kids do many of the chores around the house. They earn commission for them and are learning to budget from early ages. We are a family who all live in our home so we all work hard to keep our home nice so we all benefit and can enjoy it!
Also Read: Teaching Kids About Money
A little bit each day
Doing a little bit all day helps. I try to pick up clothes as I see them. Doing at least one load of laundry a day. I am also trying to include my kids more for help. I almost always clean up dinner and the kitchen before bed.
Also Read: How a Ten Minute Tidy is a total game changer
ABC’s
My biggest thing I’ve learned is to ABC: Always Be Cleaning. It’s so much easier to take a minute to wipe down my bathroom vanity after I finish getting ready once or twice a week than to let it build up and take way more time and elbow grease. With that, I have also learned to buy multiples of cleaning products and store them where I need them.
Stay on top of it
Man I’m struggling with this as of late. I try to put away something as soon as I’m done with it and now that my kids are getting older they are starting to really listen to me by putting their clothes in the hamper right side out which is HUGE!
Also Read: Morning Routine for Kids – set yourself up for success
Weekly schedule
My advice for staying on top of household chores would be to come up with a weekly cleaning schedule. I have found that tackling a few chores each day is much more manageable than trying to clean everything one day a week. Staying on top of the laundry is also a must for me. I try to do at least 1 load a day because if it starts to pile up, so does my anxiety!
Katelynne, The Disguised Supermom
Clean the kitchen every night
I’m not the best at cleaning my house top to bottom on a regular basis, but there are a couple things I do to make the house feel like it’s clean. Clean your kitchen every night and stay on top of putting things away. The entire rest of the house can be sparkling, but if my kitchen is dirty, my house feels dirty and I feel anxious. So, by consequence, if my kitchen is clean the house looks and feels not-so-bad, no matter when I last scrubbed the toilets.
We also have a robot vacuum that runs every night, so we have to stay on top of keeping things picked up, so it doesn’t get in her way. Those two things together make the house feel clean, even if she is a bit dusty.
Four gems in one
Dedicated areas for storing toys, making it a game for little ones to help put away. Having a scheduled day where you do all washing. Meal prep/plan and batch cooking in advance.
Vicki, Confessions of a NICU Mum
Also Read: Kids Toy Storage Solutions
Three Main Cleaning Tips from all the moms!
Did you notice the standout cleaning tips for moms? I absolutely noticed that all the moms who answered this question during their Mom Life Interview had a few things in common!
# 1 Don’t let it get out of control
This was, by far, the standout tip for me. It seems like moms who stay on top of household chores actually do some cleaning each day… What a concept!
As someone who knows that the cleanliness of our house directly correlates to how busy we are and how overwhelmed I feel, I totally get this! However, it’s much easier said than done, in my opinion. It’s one of those things that you know but can’t seems to stick with.
I think this is why standout cleaning tips #2 and #3 are so helpful…
# 2 A Cleaning Schedule!
This goes along with not letting the cleaning get out of hand. However, out of all 13 moms, five specifically mentioned creating a schedule. Having a plan of attack, and sticking to it, is the key!
# 3 Chores for the kids
Undoubtedly, this one is my favorite! Our kids are beyond old enough to start helping out around the house. They can now reach the sink to wash dishes, and they are more than capable of dusting, vacuuming, or putting away laundry.
Therefore, it’s just a matter of finding something your kiddos can accomplish. Chores are so important at any age and help kids learn responsibility and also allow them to feel important.
These rock star moms have given me some things to think about for sure! Creating a schedule – and sticking to it! – and getting the kids to help a little each day is my new plan of attack.
If you enjoyed reading all of these Cleaning Tips for Moms, check out all the previous Mom Life Interviews!
Meet more moms and read their advice and experiences every Saturday! You can also find more Mom Life tips on our Mom Life Pinterest Board. If you’d like to join in on the fun, leave a comment below or send an email to exploringdomesticity(at)gmail(dot)com with subject “Mom Life Interview Series.”
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Planning ahead of time and creating a schedule is crucial when it comes to cleaning your home. I love having a good old checklist with all the tasks I need to do. This is a lovely article Kristin!
I agree! That is such a great tip. Thank you!