Cleaning hacks: 4 Top tips for busy parents
No one said being a parent was easy. It’s a balancing act, and if one piece is precariously placed, it could end in tears and tantrums. With schooling, dinners, entertainment and trying to stay on top of the housework, it takes a lot of work. But for the latter in that long list of things to do, there are some things which can be done to make it a little simpler. Here are some of our top tips for cleaning the house.
Tip 1: Family time
If your children are at that age where they understand and are capable of putting their toys away without your help, this one is for them. Making cleaning time and activity which all of the family do at the same time brings many benefits:
● Children will not feel like they are missing out – if one is asked to put their toys away while their sibling is watching TV, also ask the other to do a little job.
● Work will get done quicker – if each child is told to vacuum their room, it means you do not have to do the whole house on the weekend.
● They can earn rewards – if you have a chore chart, you can make it a little competition between the whole family: the first person to finish five of their jobs gets to pick the dessert for after dinner.
Tip 2: Prioritise tasks
If you only have time to do either the vacuuming or put on a wash, prioritise. Unless there has been a spillage of the breakfast cereal or there’s mud being traipsed through the house, it might need to move to the top of your list. If it can wait, but the kids do not have a clean school shirt for tomorrow, the laundry will need to be done. It is okay to leave a job. Don’t feel like you must do everything.
Tip 3: Cook one-pot meals
One-pot meals are a great way to reduce washing up and the need for someone to be standing at the oven all evening. You can simply place all of your ingredients into a baking tray and put it straight into the oven, or you can use a slow cooker. The latter needs a little more planning as you will need to put it on in the morning depending on what you are cooking. But once all of the ingredients are in the pot, switch it on and you’re free to get on with the rest of the day. It also means there’s just one pot to clean up after the meal has been enjoyed.
Tip 4: Get help
Let’s be honest, there is so much to do and so little time. If you would rather watch another film or carry on colouring with your little one instead of cleaning, look at hiring a cleaner from the likes of Molly Maid. Working in a team of two, they are fully insured and will leave your home spotless – perfect for busy parents.