School is starting and while the return to routine should make a household calmer, it does the exact opposite! Suddenly our households are a flurry of activity! Recently, I visited Global Regina Morning News to share my busy mom cleaning tips:
Involve the Kids
Products like Swiffer Dusters make it easy for the kids to help out. (Swiffer Duster, Swiffer Sweeper, Swiffer Wet Jet)
Laundry
For laundry on the go – use a laundry sorter in a central place in the household (we keep ours in the master bedroom) so that you can simply grab your laundry and pop it in. Tide Pods are perfect because they’re pre-measured! Downy Unstopables are amazing for laundry freshness and dryer sheets are perfect. All keep mess and waste to a minimum.
Household
Mr Clean Magic Eraser is my go to for all kinds of household messes. While a toddler coloring a wall is what we all think of when we think of the Magic Eraser, it actually has a ton of household uses including cleaning light switches and appliance handles has my top two (anything that’s kind of pebbly or textured is hard to clean with other methods). It’s also great for cleaning grass stains and scuffs off shoes!
Febreze is a mom’s best friend once the kids are out the door. Use it in sports bags and shoes to keep things fresh. Also, when getting ready to store your patio furniture for the winter, spray it with Febreze first to keep it fresh while packed away.
Car
We feel like taxi drivers once back to school hits (I drop off 3 kids at 3 different schools this year!) so we end up spending a lot of time in our vehicles in the fall. Some of the products I already mentioned are actually super helpful in the car as well.
- Swiffer dusting cloths are perfect for vehicles too
- Downy Unstopables are great for keeping the car fresh, either loosely under the seats or in a sachet
- Febreze is great for the vehicle, if you have leather seats it’s still good to spray down the floors.
- Tip: keep a roll of paper towels in the trunk. Think it’s odd? You’ll thank me the next time you spill a coffee, or have a sick child in the car! You’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll use it.
We’ve got a giveaway to help you make cleaning a breeze this fall! One of our winners is going to win:
- x2 Bounce (HE Dryer Sheets)
- x1 Bounty (80 Sheets)
- x1 Cascade Platinum
- x2 Dawn Original
- x1 Swiffer Wetjet Starter Kit
- $50 Walmart Gift Card
This is a great package to get you started, and the $50 Walmart Gift Card will help pick up anything else you may need!
I try to take up the leaves in my yard from the pathways, if not I will have tons in my house! I keep bounty close by the door so if the kids track in muddy footprints in they can be cleaned in a pinch!
Do a bit every day to stay on top of things!
Clean a little daily.
I pack diaper wipes to clean sticky hands and spills in the car too!
I usually do a big clean and then maintain daily. I find it easier this way then I can do little cleans each day instead of big ones every few
I set a timer for each room and clean for 10 minutes in each room.
I nuke some water mixed with some vanilla extract in a glass bowl for about 10 minutes. I let the hot water sit and steam inside the microwave for another 10 minutes. Then the food that is stuck in there comes off nice and easy.
If you spend a couple of minutes a day cleaning, then you only have to maintain and have more days for yourself!
I clean for 5 minutes each day
Cleaning as you go is always the way to go! It has saved me from being overwhelmed on numerous occasions!
Do a big deep clean one day and then keep on top of cleaning up daily.
I do a different room every day!
In the fall I go threw ever cupboard and get rid of things I haven’t used in the last year.
Clean a little every day. Don’t let the cleaning pile up.
don’t tackle everything in one day
Pick items laying around/not being used daily so that when it is cleaning time it does not take as long.
The first week the kids are back in school I use it for cleaning out summer items and bringing in the fall items and a good clean thru,keeps things in shape and only have the daily chores to do till Christmas.
when a spill occurs attack it immediately. always keep a spray bottle of 1 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 cup water, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar
We keep our recycleables sorted and not in one pile. So when it’s time to take out the recyclables, there’s no need to sort through a huge pile of items.
I keep a box of individual hand wipes in the truck. I use one to clean my hands after I use a shopping cart (those handles!), and I use one to clean my hands after I gas up the vehicle. They are also great if you have a little spill in the truck while you are eating. It just makes sense!
Always clean up a mess before moving onto something else.
I do a little everyday so it doesn’t build up and I do the heavy cleaning on weekends!
Today I went to Ikea and got two nice looking big boxes. At the end of each day I’m just going to scoop up each of my kids’ belongings and drop them in each box, for them to tidy away themselves the next morning. Delegate, delegate, delegate 😉
I like to clean a room or 2 a day. like dusting, floors and straighting out. Makes a difference so I am not overwhelmed.
start by cleaning one room at at a time! 🙂
Assign chores to everyone in the family.
I use the 5 min rule. If something can be cleaned/tidied in 5 min then I will not put it off and do it on the spot. Really helps keep my place clean 🙂
I tackle one room at a time. Once you see one clean room it feels great and you will want to keep going
clean as you go. i would rather do a dishes more often then have a pile waiting for me
Assign times for laundry so no one crosses paths.
I make a schedule for different tings to get cleaned each day. Bathrooms – Monday/Friday, dusting/vacuum – Tuesday/Sat and so on
I always tackle one project at a time.
A little every day makes life so much easier!
Clean one room at a time.
i use a printable calendar and put one major thing on it each day so i’m not overwhelmed. i also like to use laundry baskets to gather all the things that belong in another room to make it easier to get it all back in its place.
Put a really big mat at the back door for dirty shoes and boots!
I use Bounce to help with getting static of my the kids hair and clothes. I also use it to freshen up their school bags – just leave an used one it the bag and it helps!
I start outside cleaning and putting away the summer things then when weather is rainy work indoors
At the end of the day, scan through each room and put everything back in their places.
I do it little by little.
The kids backpacks have a hook and a spot for their jacket….bags get emptied from school right away and everything signed and ready for the next day. Cuts down on clutter from papers getting lost around the house too.
Sweep daily-even when you don’t want to
Assign the kids a chore from very young…the three year old can fold socks!
i really could use this for my little family ?
I sweep or use our blower to blow the leaves and dirt from outside our entryways. These really helps to keep tracking it all in the house.
I keep baby wipes everywhere!
I like to make my own natural DIY cleanser using baking soda and vinegar. =) Does the job good!
I start with all the closets then one room at a time
I stay organized during the week!
With lists and tackling one thing st a time
I find that cleaning everyday helps with the clutter
i have a place for anything
I save all the old clothes (even socks with holes) after their last wash to clean up spills and messes. I save on paper towels and wipes and they go right into the garbage after this.
Do some cleaning every day
I try to put things away right away. It keeps it from becoming a huge overwhelming mess.
Keep on top of cleaning, do not wait to do a giant clean, if you keep up on it, the cleaning wont be so awful!
A cleaning tip is to make your own glass cleaner by mixing water and vinegar together in a spray bottle. It’s safe and easy for the kids to help with cleaning windows and mirrors.
Using lemon juice for a quick refshing wipe down on sinks
Cleaning a bit each day! <3
Clean a bit every day, put everyrhing away on a daily basis & do a load of laundry every day.
Along with paper towels in the trunk I always have baby wipes! Always good when on long trips and munching in the car is planned.
In the early fall I wash up all the fall coats and winter coats/mitts etc to have them ready for when the weather turns cold as it comes when you least expect it and that way I have everything ready.
spend 10 minutes a day cleaning
I only clean one room at a time.
My tip is to keep decorative baskets in each room of the house. You can throw all the clutter in them if you need to clean in a hurry and it doesn’t look so bad. Then once a day or once a week, depending on how busy your house is, empty each basket.
always clean one room at a time, do a bit each day
I hate clutters, so put things were they belongs. I also have a basket on top of my fridge for papers like bills ect. when it’s full I file it.
I take one room at a time. Mondays are bathrooms, Tuesdays I vacuum, etc.
never try to never leave a room empty handed, something always needs to be taken out of or into another room here
I do one job a day so that I don’t have to spend my weekend cleaning. I also line my fridge shelves with plastic wrap
as a family of 5 we divide up the chores ..many hands make for light work .. it saves time when everyone pitches in
i do little cleaning bursts – 5 to 10 minutes whenever i can find the time! helps me get a bit done instead of keeping it all for a huge day of cleaning.
I get everyone involved. I have a family ‘buffet’ and invite all my kids over 😉
I have certain rooms set to clean on certain days. Breaks the week up and makes life much easier!
I share the work, I do the floors and dusting and hubby cleans up the clutter
I bought a lot of small baskets & boxes for all the closets, the bathroom, & bedrooms. That way everything has a place instead of all being thrown on shelves or in a big junk drawer. Organizers are a huge key to keeping things tidy!
I try to sty organized,,so things don`t become one big mess, I also clean every day so it don`t have a chance to get too dirty,
I take about 20 minutes a day and clean a section of the house.
Put things back after you’re done with it and clean a little bit each time.
Clean up as you go; even tossing some laundry into a basket as you move from room to room will help
My cleaning tip that I use to help save time during the busy fall season, is to use baby wipes for quick wipe downs and spills. I also use Dr. Mist for spraying shoes, backpacks, gymbags for freshness.
My tip is to tidy up as I go so I don’t have to clean a huge mess after. This goes for when I’m cooking as well.
Don’t wait to do it all at once. Do whatever bugs you the most first.
I spend the most time on cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms as that is where company tend to spend the most time.
Each family member has their own laundry basket with their name written on it. They are responsible for washing/drying/putting away their own laundry. If they don’t have clean clothes to wear, it’s their own fault for not washing their clothes. Mommy is no longer drowning in 7 baskets of laundry each day!
My tip is to clean up small messes often so you have less of a “big cleanup” all at once
One great tip I have is when it comes to your recycling bin. We put a large leaf bag inside and we freeze all food before it goes into the bag. No smell and the bin is always clean. It saves a lot of work washing it out all the time along with having no smell.
Clean as you go! Then your deep cleans don’t have to be so intense.
I have a tray that I keep my cleaning supplies in so I don’t have to keep running to the cabinet when I need something. I take it with me from room to room.
I do one room at a time , i start at the ceiling and work my way down to the floors , use vinegar and water , makes your house smell amazing 🙂
i like to use Swiffer duster cloths for all my dusting…i use the ones for the sweeper, but just use them all around the house, for the tv, furniture, everywhere dust collects (which is EVERYWHERE in our house!)
I clean one room at a time.
I enlist the kids for 20 minute tidies where we clean a particular room for 20 minutes as a group.
Clean with music
I pack armorall cleaning wipes so while I’m waiting in the car either at construction or for the kids to get out of school. I wipe down my dash and seats in my car
I use baking soda and warm water to clean the grease in the kitchen and I just take my time to clean one area/section/room at a time so that I won’t feel that I have lots to do
I have my daily routines and my weekly cleaning schedules. Example, Mondays and Fridays are bathroom days, and I do simple things like gather the laundry daily/make beds/tidy rooms. Laundry days are Mondays and Thursday.
I try to have a assigned day for certain jobs so that I dont get overwhelmed
Put a cloth next to the sink and wipe down after someone brushes their teeth/wash their face
I try to do a little every day
I try to pick up/tidy up as I go through a room instead of doing it all at once on a weekend.
I keep baby wipes tucked away in every room to just wipe up messes and spills as soon as soon as I notice them. I like to keep things tidy daily rather than wait until it gets overwhelming.
I do a load of laundry everyday while cooking supper.
I try to do a little every day to keep up with it.
i love me a Mr Clean eraser. Also hydrogen peroxide is a handy cleaner to have around the house.
My cleaning tip is every time you change the bag on your vacuum or empty the canister put in a few Downy Unstoppable beads. Every time you vacuum it leaves a fresh scent as the heat of the vacuum activates the scent.
Pick up something and put it away everytime you leave a room
We’re doing a thorough clean while Miss R’s away and then everyone has specific jobs they need to do each day to keep things neat, clean and organized.
i do one room at a time
Large ziplocks in the car. You never know when you need to contain a mess, need a container for ice or divy up snacks in the car!
Clean and tidy everyday
Pick something up on your way out of the room, that belongs elsewhere. Put it in it’s place and you get a few extra steps in for the day as well!
We have a cleaning day on the weekend where everyone has a task. Goes a lot faster!
I wash my carpets outside with the hose to save time.
A mixture of blue Dawn and white vinegar makes a great scrub-free shower cleaner.
I do most of my laundry when the kids are in bed, otherwise I won’t get any of it done!
I do what I can on a daily basis to keep up with it all.
everyone has to get involved. sometimes we will draw chores from a hat.
Declutter, declutter, declutter. I have learned that I only truly keep things that are useful or pretty. I donate, recycle many items. Makes for less dusting around things I don’t even like. lol. And I keep the items in a box near the front door and take them with me before I change my mind and keep them. My friends often come over and pick things out of my box, for which I am grateful.
get your kids to help
Ask for help! Make it a family effort. Even little ones can do something.
I try to have a “home” for everything so I know where it has to go and am more likely to put it away. With a place stuff tends to pile up.
stocking up on supplies and stock throughout the home
I like to keep microfibre cloths in the bathroom and kitchen so that they’re handy for quick wipes and polishes of any surface. It’s great to see the shine it gives to chrome.
We plan a weekend of cleaning and everyone has a job to do and then we order Pizza .
Not sure if it would count as a cleaning tip – But I bring out all the winter coats and sweaters for the dry cleaners and like to get all that out of the way in Fall and ready for winter!
I clean one room at a time. It gives me a sense of accomplishment to finish one room completely.
Clean the shower while you are naked just before you shower. Keeps you from getting soaked. ?
As I clean, I tend to purge stuff I no longer want.
Leave a bag in the car and have a rule, all garbage goes IN it!
A little everyday! Also, not a big secret but heating water in the microwave does wonders to help that messy job along.
I have a case of baby wipes in the car and in my home for quick clean up jobs,spills etc.I also use them to wipe down the fur on my cat to keep her coat nice and less static.I find it cuts down some on the cat hair flying around in the house.
My tip is to have mats both inside and outside your doors, blocks a lot of dirts from being tracked into the house.
I try to tidy as I go about my day so I don’t end up with a huge mess at the end of the day & any summer items from last summer that didn’t get worn this year get donated instead of being stored again.
Dont rush clean one room a day
I try my best to stay on top of keeping my house clean, neat and tidy on a daily basis. It is possible as I only work part time and my kids are in school. It allows us to have more quality family time on the weekend!
I use three boxes to sort items, one for donating, one for items that need to go to other rooms, one for items to go in the trash.
I do a bit every day, that way nothing gets out of hand
I use a magic eraser for washroom tiles and kitchen surfaces
Clean one room a day.
Buy a great vacuum – it will save you HOURS of work. I have a Sebo and LOVE it.
I use baby wipes for cleaning so much around here. We have cats so first it picks up the fur off of baseboards as well as the dust! I also will clean the walls with them and the window frames!
Clean one room a day
I’d say start with one room, and do cupboards, or closets first.
Hire a maid! Kidding. Avoid clutter by donating items you don’t need. Don’t buy things you don’t really need.
I start with one room and complete it before moving on to another.
CLEAN 2 ROOMS
Vinegar and water do a great all purpose clean
Clean one rooom at a time !
A tip I find helpful, is to clean a little everyday. That way it doesn’t pile up and become overwhelming
clean something every day!
I make a chore list the night before and do my best to stick to it…Every little task counts.
I clean slowly. I sweep and mop one day. Then the rest.
When you’re bringing dirty cloths downstairs from up, always run the cloth down the bannister to give it a clean!
Go through your things to look at what can be thrown away or donated!
Do a little cleaning everyday so you aren’t overwhelmed on the weekend!
I like to focus on cleaning one room at a time…it makes things so much easier. Also spend at least 15 min per day tiding up so you rarely ever have to do one big clean!
I try to do the dishes every day (and mostly fail), and really try to dedicate Saturday morning to clean.
I made up a little schedule for myself and try to stick to cleaning what’s on the list on each day.
I make sure all coats, boots, heavier clothes etc are cleaned before being put away for the season. I store with dryer sheets to keep them fresh.