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Please excuse the mess…the children are making memories
-Unknown
Some days, this quote expresses exactly how I feel as I work to clean up one more mess. I want my children to create and explore their world, and very often that means LEGOS, Cheerios, Playdough, scissors, and crayons all working against my fervent housecleaning efforts. And as much as I want my house to be guest-ready at all times, I also want it to feel warm and comfortable and lived-in. With the new school year ahead, structure, routine, and schedules will help preserve our sanity, yet I’ve also found that there are some things we can all do regularly to keep my floors clean…even with kids.
1. Contain Messes: Rather than giving my children free reign of the house to dump their toys, drop their crumbs and put together their latest art project, I have designated areas for these activities, primarily downstairs in our living and dining area where the floors are laminate (as opposed to carpet) and easier to clean when it comes to vacuuming and mopping. For overtly messy projects like my daughter’s latest clay creation, we have a tot-sized table permanently stationed outside that can be wiped free from nearly any mess.
2. Spot Clean Regularly: If I were to wait until the end of the week to mop and vacuum my floors, I would be overwhelmed. Thankfully, I keep my Dyson V6 Slim Cordless Vacuum on-hand to clean up crumbs, dust, and the remnants of my kids’ art projects. Cordless, lightweight, and incredibly powerful, I can use this vacuum on my laminate floors downstairs or my carpet in the bedrooms by simply attaching the motorized cleaner head. This particular attachment is ideal for picking up the finer dust that I can’t always get with a broom and dust pan and any dirt that has settled deep into my carpet. The included tools also make cleaning blinds, stairs, and any difficult-to-reach places a breeze!
3. Stop Dirt in its Tracks: From the moment I bought my first house, I imposed a no-shoes-in-the-house rule. Not only has this rule spared me the hassle of vacuuming up sand and cleaning mud off of my carpets, it has also helped cut down on the overall allergens in our home, particularly those areas where we sleep. While admittedly difficult to enforce downstairs where my flooring is laminate, you could pick up an inexpensive basket where kids and guests can throw their shoes before they step into your home.
4. Involve and Reward Kids for Cleaning Up: Early on, I imposed a rule that requires my kids to help clean up one mess before they begin another. This helps to teach kids responsibility from an early age and also prompts them to critically think about the mess they are about to endeavor upon and if the clean-up they’ll have to be responsible for is worth it. Since my kids are not expected to be cleaning experts, I always positively reinforce their efforts with a praise or even something more substantial when it’s warranted.
5. Have Designated Mess-Free Zones: Upstairs, where my children rest and play and get ready for each new day is off-limits for eating, crafting, and any other type of mess that could result in a bigger, more problematic situation. This means that crayons, markers, paint, glue, and Cheerios (and everything in-between) must remain downstairs in their play room. While I absolutely believe children should have plenty of opportunities (and spaces) to get messy, I also think that having a quiet, clean, uncluttered space with minimal distractions is ideal for winding down for bed and staying focused and organized as they prepare for the new day.
6. Be a Minimalist: Having been a mom now for 8 years, I can list on one hand the toys that each of my kids play with. Children don’t need a lot of toys…they need the right toys. We opt for toys that inspire creativity and engage their senses, including their imagination. Crafts, books, dolls, and LEGOs are what primarily reside in our play spaces and provide endless hours of the type of play that transforms children.
7. Enlist Help: There is no shame in hiring a cleaning service once or twice a month and it’s one of my top sanity savers for busy moms. Knowing that I’ll have that deeper clean each month inspires me to do my part to keep the house clean during the weeks when I don’t have her assistance.
As we head into a new school year, I hope this post encourages and empowers you to feel confident that you can keep your floors clean…even with kids.
If you’re looking to invest in a vacuum that will save your sanity, Walmart is currently running a promotion where you can purchase the Dyson V6 Slim Cordless Vacuum for just $259, which is a savings of $30. This promotions runs through September 12th, 2015 and can be purchased online or in-stores.
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