The kids are finally back to school, and you can begin to assess the devastation that was once your family home. Bored children are usually messy children, and that can leave you with an awful lot of work to do once the dust has settled.
Heading into the autumn and beyond, it’s always good to have your home clean, organised and ready for the colder months of the year — and the back-to-school fortnight is the perfect time to make a start. To help you on your way, follow these simple cleaning tips to get your home back to its sparkling self in no time.
1. Cull the clothing
As the summer draws to an end, it’s always a good idea to get your wardrobes ready for the colder months. Having too much clothing clutter lying around can attract dust and dander — and make cleaning difficult. Gather together the clothes you don’t need anymore, and take them to the nearest recycling centre or charity shop. Not only will you reduce your laundry, you’ll free up space for some warmer clothing.
2. Sanitise your floors
The constant coming and going that happens in a family home during the summer can take a heavy toll on carpets and hard floors. Thankfully, just one tool is all you need to clean and sanitise all the floors in your house. A steam mop is perfect for cleaning hard flooring without the need for chemicals. However, the latest systems include carpet attachments — turning these powerful cleaners into carpet steamers. Ideally, you should aim to steam your carpets as soon as the children head out to school, as they’ll need time to dry before the little ones return.
3. Clean major appliances
With some much to do during the summer, a lot of parents just can’t find the time for major cleaning jobs. Yes, they keep on top of things, but the opportunities for performing detailed cleaning jobs are usually very limited. As soon as the kids are back into the swing of things at school, you can start those jobs you’ve been putting off all summer. Defrost the freezer, deep clean the fridge and scrub the oven.
4. Create clean and organised homework spaces
Research has shown that working in a clean and organised environment makes us more productive — and the same goes for children doing their homework. Spend some time cleaning bedrooms from top to bottom, and make a dedicated space for homework. Stock up on stationery, and find a home for textbooks and exercise books.
5. Organise the hallway
The hallway of a busy family home comes into its own when the kids go back to school. If your hallway is clean and organised, your kids are more likely to keep the rest of the home looking the same way once they return from school. However, for many families, the hallway is also where shoes, bags and coats are stored, so it needs to be uber organised from day one. Give everything a thorough clean, and make sure there is a dedicated home for everything. And consider buying a shoe wardrobe for your front door — just to keep foot-related clutter at bay.
6. Create a cleaning checklist for all the family
Once you’ve got your house back to normal after the summer holidays, you should work towards constant maintenance to keep it that way. But why should you do all the work yourself when you have a houseful of little helpers? Devise a fair cleaning rota for everyone in the home — focusing mainly on mornings and the weekends. You can keep things fun and playful whilst ensuring that everyone pulls their weight.
Most parents are guilty of letting things in the home slip a little during the school summer holidays. After all, spending quality time with your children is far more important than cleaning the oven. However, once your little ones are back in full time education, use the opportunity to get your palace back in order.
