You’re busy. I get it. You don’t have the time to read a long intro or a boring story about how hard it is to keep a clean house when working from home. You already know because you live it. So, let’s just cut to the chase. Here are some helpful cleaning hacks for work-from-home parents that are quick and easy!
Cleaning Hacks for Work-from-Home Parents: Must-Have Items
Cleaning is difficult enough without wasting time and energy looking for the items you need. So, the first thing you should do is create a cleaning kit that includes all of your must-haves, then put this kit in a convenient spot. You could even create separate kits for each room.
What should your cleaning kit include? That depends somewhat on your personal preferences. Choose the cleaners you prefer, wash rags or sponges, dusters, and air fresheners—basically anything you need to get the job done. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- All Purpose Cleaner
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Glass Cleaner
- Clean Cloths
- Multipurpose Scrub Brushes
- A Hand Duster
Cleaning Hacks for Work-from-home Parents: Daily To-Dos
If you have kids, then you know that mess can accumulate fast. One of the most important things you can do to keep your home neat and tidy is to clean every day. Here are some tips that will make daily cleaning a little easier.
- Start a load of laundry first thing in the morning.
- Cleanup after each meal instead of waiting until the end of the day.
- Wash dishes at least once a day.
- Make sure that countertops and floors are clean each night before bed.
Cleaning Hacks for Work-from-home parents: Make a Cleaning Schedule
You don’t have to clean everything each and every day. It’s just not possible. So, decide what needs to be done each day and think about how to incorporate that task into your daily routine. As for the rest, create a cleaning schedule that hits every spot in the house weekly. For example, you might:
- Clean the bathroom every other day.
- Mop and vacuum twice a week.
- Wash windows and mirrors once a week.
- Clean the refrigerator and stove once a week.
- Deep clean one room in the house each week.
Cleaning Hacks for Work-from-home Parents: The 70 Percent Rule
If you’re like me, perfectionism and procrastination go hand-in-hand. So, I adopted a rule that I learned from a fellow perfectionist on YouTube: The 70 Percent Rule. That means you aim for 70 percent perfection rather than 100 percent.
When I’m in a hurry during the week, sometimes having a house that is 70 percent clean is good enough. I can always catchup on my days off. Allowing myself some room for mess keeps me sane—because let’s face it—a perfectly clean house for a working parent is mostly a pipe dream no matter how much you plan or how many cleaning hacks you use!
Cleaning Hacks for Work-from-home Parents: Go High-Tech
I confess that I do most things the old-fashioned way, but many people swear by the useful gadgets that are created to make our life a little easier; maybe I should get on board too! Instead of those old mops, dusters, and brooms, here are some modern cleaning tools to consider:
- Robot Vacuum
- Self-Cleaning Litter Box
- Sonic Scrub Brushes
- Automatic Carpet Cleaner
- Robot Window Cleaner
- Air Purifier
Cleaning Hacks for Work-from-home Parents: Time Saving Tricks
Time is money, as the old saying goes, and this is especially true for work-from-home parents! If you’d rather spend your time earning a living than cleaning a house, here are some time-saving tricks that might be useful:
- Set a timer and go! Get as much done within the allotted time.
- Soak your bathtub overnight with a vinegar and baking soda solution.
- Have a catch-all bin on hand; throw misplaced items in and put them where the go later.
- Keep disinfecting wipes in every room. Grab one as you pass by and give the area a quick rub down.
Cleaning Hacks for Work-from-home Parents: Get the Family Involved
As a working parent, don’t be afraid to ask for help around the house! You can create a cleaning chart that assigns certain tasks to each family member, including age-appropriate chores for the kids. For example, my eight and six-year-old are responsible for cleaning their room each day. They also help clean the table after meals, and sometimes they like to help fold laundry.
Cleaning Hacks for Work-from-home Parents: Remember What Matters Most
I love a clean house, and there were times when I would get so frustrated because no matter how hard I tried, the work was never done. Even now I have laundry to do, dishes to wash, and there are some deep cleaning chores that I have put off for way too long.
The point? Be realistic and remember what matters most: You’re raising kids, not keeping a house.
This is especially true if your children are under the age of 10. It’s okay to have some mess during this intense time so long as you provide a safe environment that meets the needs of your family. You’ll have a pristinely clean house one day—and that might not be until your kids are grown—and that is okay!
Even so, it’s important to keep up with the basics as best as you can, and hopefully these cleaning hacks for work-from-home parents will make that job a little bit easier!
