Discover practical tips to maintain a clean and organized home with kids. From creating routines to smart storage solutions, learn how to keep your home tidy and stress-free with little ones.
Organized Home with Children
Maintaining a clean and organized home with kids can feel like an impossible task.
But with some practical strategies and a bit of patience, you can create a space that’s tidy and functional.
Maintaining a clean and organized home when you have kids can often seem like an impossible feat.
Toys scattered everywhere, constant spills, and endless piles of laundry can make it feel like you’re fighting a losing battle.
However, with some practical strategies and a bit of patience, you can achieve a tidy and functional living space.
The key is to implement systems that work for your family and to involve your children in the process.
Here are some tips to help you keep your home clean and organized, even with the little ones around.
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1. Create Kid-Friendly Storage Solutions
Accessible Storage
Ensure that your kids can easily access and put away their toys and belongings.
Use low shelves, bins, and baskets that are within their reach.
Shop The Play Area
Label each storage container with pictures or words to help them understand where everything goes.
Toy Bin Labels
These customizable toy bin labels will help you get everything organized and easily identify toy locations for your kids.
Rotating Toys
To prevent toy overload, rotate toys every few weeks.
Keep only a selection of toys out at a time and store the rest.
This not only reduces clutter, but also makes toys feel new and exciting when they come back into rotation.
Toy Storage Bins
Get a set of clear storage bins to store toys that are out of rotation.
2. Establish Routines and Habits
Daily Cleanup Time
Incorporate a daily cleanup time into your routine.
Set aside 15-20 minutes each day, perhaps before dinner or bedtime, for a quick tidy-up.
Make it a fun activity with music or a timer to motivate the kids.
Read: 10 Minute Kitchen Cleanup Routine
Morning and Evening Routines
Establish morning and evening routines that include tidying up.
For example, make bed-making part of the morning routine and putting toys away part of the evening routine.
3. Involve the Kids
Assign Age-Appropriate Chores
Even young children can help with simple tasks like putting toys away, wiping surfaces, or sorting laundry.
Assign age-appropriate chores and make them part of the daily routine.
Make Cleaning Fun
Turn cleaning into a game.
Use timers to see who can pick up the most toys in a set amount of time or play their favorite songs while cleaning.
Kid Timer
If you don’t have a timer for your kids, it’s a must-have! Kids, for some reason, tend to listen to timers.
4. Declutter Regularly
Regular Purges
Schedule regular decluttering sessions.
Go through toys, clothes, and other items periodically to remove anything that’s no longer used or needed.
Read: The Four-Box Method: A Simple Guide to Decluttering Your Home
Donate, sell, or store away items to keep clutter at bay.
Read: How to Start Decluttering
Limit Incoming Items
Be mindful of the number of new items coming into your home.
For example, implement a “one in, one out” rule for toys and clothes to prevent accumulation.
5. Designate Specific Areas
Play Zones
Designate specific areas for play and storage.
This helps contain the mess to particular areas and makes cleanup more manageable.
Use rugs, furniture, or room dividers to define these spaces.
Play Area Gate
I love this gate that you can attach in your home to setup a designed play area.
Play Area Mat
This mat is perfect for creating a soft floor space in a play area.
Homework Stations
Create dedicated homework stations with all the necessary supplies.
This keeps school materials organized and helps kids focus on their tasks.
6. Use Smart Storage Solutions
Under-Bed Storage
Utilize under-bed storage bins for toys, clothes, or other items.
This often-overlooked space can help keep bedrooms clutter-free.
Under the Bed Storage
I love to use these containers to store extra clothing for the next season or clothes that my kids have outgrown.
Hooks and Racks
Install hooks and racks at kid-friendly heights for coats, backpacks, and hats.
This encourages kids to hang up their belongings rather than dropping them on the floor.
Read: How to Create a Mudroom in Your Home
7. Set Clear Expectations
House Rules
Set clear house rules about where toys and other items belong.
Consistency is key to helping kids understand and follow these rules.
Positive Reinforcement
Use positive reinforcement to encourage good habits.
Praise and reward kids for keeping their spaces tidy and completing their chores.
8. Simplify Cleaning
Easy-Clean Surfaces
Choose easy-clean surfaces and materials for your home.
For example, use washable slipcovers on furniture and opt for flooring that can be easily swept or mopped.
Favorite Mop
I use this mop to clean the main floors in our home. Fill up the basin with warm water and use a tablespoon of powdered Tide. Your home will be so fresh and clean!
Keep Supplies Handy
Keep cleaning supplies within easy reach.
Having a cleaning caddy with essentials like wipes, sprays, and cloths makes it easier to tackle messes as they happen.
Shop: 30% off My Favorite Cleaning Supplies
9. Lead by Example
Model Behavior
Kids learn by watching their parents.
Model the behaviors you want to see by keeping your own spaces tidy and involving yourself in the cleaning process.
Family Cleaning Time
Make cleaning a family affair.
Schedule regular family cleaning times where everyone works together to tidy up the house.
10. Be Realistic
Accept Imperfection
Understand that maintaining a perfectly clean home all the time is unrealistic, especially with kids.
Focus on creating a comfortable and functional environment rather than striving for perfection.
Flexible Approach
Be flexible with your routines and expectations. Some days will be messier than others, and that’s okay.
The goal is to create habits and systems that work for your family.
Conclusion
Maintaining a clean and organized home with kids requires a combination of practical strategies, consistent routines, and a bit of flexibility.
By involving your kids in the process and making tidying up a part of everyday life, you can create a home that’s both welcoming and well-organized.
Remember, the key is to find what works best for your family and to enjoy the journey of creating a harmonious living space together.
