Keeping your house clean and tidy when you have kids can sometimes feel like an impossible task. The laundry pile is spilling over, someone has left mud across the carpet AGAIN and the sink is full of dirty dishes. With more and more parents working full time now to support their children, cleaning can often be the last thing on your mind after a long day at work. If hiring a nanny isn't your thing, try some of the following tips to keep your house cleaner whilst still being able to spend time with your kids.
Get the children involved
No, we don't mean to start making them your personal servants! But once your kids are past the toddler stage, there are plenty of things they can do themselves that will help you around the house (and help keep your sanity intact!). Simple things like putting their dirty clothes in the laundry basket can make a big difference to your routine. That extra fifteen minutes you would have spent trailing around the house picking up various items of clothing can now be spent elsewhere. Plus, participating in easy chores can make your kids feel independent and grown up. If you're having a hard time persuading them to get involved, make a reward chart as an incentive for doing various chores.
Choose suitable materials for your home
Unfortunately, as good as they look, a white luxe carpet isn't going to be the most practical option for a home with kids. Sometimes, it isn't even the most practical option for adults! By refitting your home with purely laminate flooring, you can avoid the stress of worrying about who's dropped what onto the floor. The installation of one laminate floor in, say, your living room can also end up costing less than having a carpet repeatedly cleaned. To the same effect, buying cheap replaceable cushion covers and throws for your sofa can protect it against any grubby little hands!
Choose your pets wisely
The cherry on top of a perfect family home is often a much-loved dog. Dogs can be great companions for children and can teach them responsibility. However, they can also wreak havoc with your home. To minimize the effect they can have on your interiors, make sure you choose dogs that don’t shed. This can save you a lot of time and money. West Highland Terriers, Shih Tzus, and Labradoodles are just some of the breeds that don't tend to shed their hair.
Be ruthless with your possessions
More stuff = more clutter. Almost half of the things we buy we don't actually need, so be ruthless when it comes to both buying and throwing away. With the things you do have, make sure there is a place for everything and invest in a good number of storage boxes. You could even encourage your kids to keep their toys in the same place by offering to decorate their own storage boxes with them. As the saying goes, a tidy house can often equal a tidy mind, and can increase your productivity too.