Life as a parent is busy enough without worrying about finding hours to devote to cleaning and tidying. If you’re looking for simple, time-saving solutions to keep your home fresh and clutter-free, this guide is packed with stress-busting cleaning hacks.
Declutter
The first step to take when embarking upon a mission to save time, effort and energy is to declutter your home. Set aside an afternoon or a weekend and work your way through every room in the house, tidying things you want to keep away and creating a series of piles of stuff you don’t need or use anymore. Make piles of items to sell, donate or take to the tip. Identify areas where you need more storage and make use of the space you have available. If you have a loft, for example, use boxes and sealed crates to store anything that you don’t use regularly or you won’t need for the next few months. If it’s summer, for example, you can put winter coats and boots away until cooler climes return. Once you’ve decluttered, you’ll feel better and you should notice that your rooms look larger, brighter and more spacious. It’s much easier to keep your home tidy when you’ve got clear floors and surfaces.
Choose materials that are easy to clean and maintain
We all want our homes to look fabulous, but it’s so important to consider practicality when renovating, revamping or redecorating, especially if you have children or pets. Choose materials that are easy to clean and maintain. If your kitchen is located next to the garden and the kids love to play outside and then stomp mud through the house, vinyl floors are a brilliant idea. Vinyl flooring is also excellent for areas where you cook, bake and enjoy creative and messy activities. Tiles are also a relatively low-maintenance option. In the bathroom, save time and energy by exploring options like PVC shower wall panels from Floors to Walls. PVC panels are quick and simple to wipe clean, they look great and they are waterproof. You can clean your bathroom in a matter of minutes after bathtime and save money on maintenance.
Invest in storage
Storage is essential for family homes. Every parent knows that kids have a lot of stuff and a spotless living room or bedroom can soon become a bombsite. Investing in effective storage solutions is a simple and effective way to take the stress out of tidying and speed up the cleaning process. There are all kinds of containers and systems you can use to keep everything from toys and books to clothes, shoes, outdoor equipment, bikes and tools in order. From shelving units and furniture with in-built storage to boxes, baskets, tubs, rails, hooks and racks, choose options that cater to the space and the types of items you want to tidy away, display or organise. You can make use of hidden storage or make a statement with open shelves or a chic TV unit, table or chest.
Establish a routine
Routines are hugely beneficial for busy parents who don’t want to spend their free time scrubbing floors, tidying and vacuuming. Try to keep on top of cleaning and tidying and cross off small jobs every day. Take a few minutes to whizz around and put toys away at the end of the day, vacuum once or twice a week, wipe kitchen and bathroom surfaces daily and give your kitchen and bathroom a thorough clean once a week. Put clothes away as soon as they are clean and dry and encourage your kids to help out with chores like brushing floors and tidying up as soon as they’re old enough to lend a hand. It’s quicker, easier and less stressful to do half an hour of cleaning every day than to tackle an endless list of chores every few weeks. It’s also more hygienic and it will help you to feel happier and more comfortable in your home.
Image from https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-woman-dusting-lamp-during-housework-4239031/
If you’re a parent, your life is probably very busy. You may be spending hours every day looking after young kids and babies or rushing around trying to negotiate the school run, work and other commitments. Cleaning and tidying can be time-consuming and messy and disorganised homes can make us feel unhappy and overwhelmed. To save time, effort and stress, try these helpful hacks. Declutter regularly, choose materials that are easy to clean and maintain, invest in storage and establish a cleaning routine.
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