How to Keep Your House Clean with Little Kids (Without Losing Your Sanity)
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Let’s be real — keeping a clean house with little kids around feels like sweeping during a tornado. The moment you turn your back, there’s a trail of toys, snacks, and questionable sticky spots (seriously, what is that?). But don’t worry! With a few clever strategies (and maybe a little help from Melbourne’s favourite errand and cleaning service), you can maintain a tidy home and your sanity.
1. Make Cleaning Fun (Yes, It’s Possible)
Kids love games, and if you disguise cleaning as one, you’re more likely to get their help.
• Turn tidying into a race: “Let’s see who can pick up the most toys in 3 minutes!”
• Use a reward system: “If we clean the playroom, we can watch your favourite movie.”
• Play music: Dance and clean at the same time — it’s a win-win!
Pro Tip: Don’t aim for perfection. If they shove their toys into random boxes, call it a win and move on.
2. Declutter Like a Boss
The more “stuff” you have, the harder it is to keep things tidy — especially with kids adding new toys to the mix daily. Schedule regular decluttering sessions and involve the kids. Ask them to pick toys they no longer use, and donate or store them away.
Too overwhelming? Our decluttering services can do the heavy lifting. We’ll organise, clean, and give you space to breathe.
3. Create Kid-Friendly Zones
Designate specific areas for messy activities, like an arts-and-crafts corner or a toy zone. This keeps the chaos contained and reduces the spread of glitter bombs and tiny Lego traps. (You’ll thank us the next time you walk barefoot.)
Bonus Tip: Have easy-to-clean surfaces like washable rugs or plastic mats in these zones to minimise damage.
4. Master the 10-Minute Rule
You don’t need a marathon cleaning session to maintain a tidy home. Set a 10-minute timer at the end of each day and have everyone pitch in to do a quick clean-up. Even little kids can help with small tasks like:
• Putting toys in bins
• Wiping the table
• Throwing dirty clothes in the hamper
It’s amazing how much you can get done in just 10 minutes when everyone works together.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Outsource
Let’s face it — sometimes, no amount of planning or effort will keep your house clean when life with kids gets chaotic. And that’s okay! Outsourcing certain tasks can be a lifesaver.
Our deep cleaning services can take over the heavy-duty stuff (like scrubbing bathrooms and degreasing ovens) so you can focus on more important things — like building pillow forts or catching up on sleep.
6. Embrace the “Clean Enough” Mentality
With kids in the house, spotless perfection is unrealistic. Focus on maintaining clean enough spaces where your family can feel comfortable and happy. Prioritise high-impact areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and living room, and don’t stress over every little crumb.
7. Laundry Hack: One Load a Day Keeps the Piles Away
Instead of letting laundry build up into a mountain that threatens to take over the house, try washing one load per day. This manageable system prevents laundry-day chaos and keeps clothes flowing in and out of drawers efficiently.
8. Have a Go-To Cleaning Basket
Keep a small basket of cleaning essentials (disinfectant wipes, all-purpose spray, a cloth) within easy reach. When a spill or mess happens (which it will), you can tackle it quickly without scrambling to find supplies.
9. Teach Kids Responsibility (Start Early!)
Even toddlers can help out with small tasks like:
• Putting shoes in a basket
• Carrying their plates to the sink
• Sorting laundry by colour
The earlier you start involving them, the more cleaning will feel like a natural part of their routine rather than a chore.
10. Call Us for the Ultimate Reset
When life feels overwhelming and the mess seems unmanageable, let us step in. The ERRAND HELPERS offer flexible, reliable, and affordable cleaning services in Melbourne. Whether you need a quick tidy-up or a full-blown deep clean, we’ve got you covered.
Final Thoughts: Progress, Not Perfection
Your home doesn’t need to look like a Pinterest photo shoot. Life with kids is beautifully chaotic, and that’s okay. With these tips (and the occasional help from us), you can strike a balance between mess and order without feeling constantly overwhelmed.
Ready for a clean slate? Book our cleaning services today and let us help you reclaim your space — and your time!
Warning: Side effects of a cleaner house may include spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen.
