Keeping Your Home Clean & Organized During the School Year

Keeping your home clean and organized during the school year can be challenging. With hectic schedules, homework, extracurricular activities, and the general hustle and bustle, maintaining a tidy space might seem impossible. But fear not! Eco Clean Ellies is here with some fun and unique hacks to help you manage your home effortlessly.

Create a Cleaning Schedule

Establish a weekly cleaning schedule that involves the entire family. Assign specific tasks to each day to avoid overwhelming weekend chores.

A structured cleaning schedule is the cornerstone of an organized home. By breaking down tasks into manageable daily chores, you prevent the accumulation of dirt and clutter, making your cleaning routine less daunting.

Monday: Dusting and Vacuuming Common Areas

Begin the week by tackling the dust and debris that has accumulated over the weekend. Dust all surfaces, including shelves, picture frames, and electronics. Follow up with a thorough vacuuming of carpets and rugs to keep them looking fresh.

Tuesday: Clean Bathrooms

Bathrooms can quickly become breeding grounds for germs. Dedicate Tuesdays to cleaning toilets, sinks, showers, and mirrors. Use eco-friendly cleaning products to keep your bathroom sparkling without harsh chemicals.

Wednesday: Tidy Bedrooms

Midweek is perfect for straightening up bedrooms. Make beds, declutter nightstands, and put away any clothing or items that have been left out. A tidy bedroom promotes better sleep and a more relaxing environment.

Thursday: Kitchen Deep Clean

The kitchen is the heart of the home and requires regular attention. On Thursdays, focus on deep cleaning tasks such as wiping down appliances, cleaning the inside of the microwave, scrubbing countertops, and mopping the floor.

Friday: Laundry Day

End the workweek by tackling the laundry. Sort clothes by color and fabric type, then wash, dry, fold, and put them away. Involve your kids by teaching them how to sort and fold their own clothes.

Saturday: Outdoor Tasks

Use the weekend to care for outdoor spaces. Mow the lawn, rake leaves, clean the patio, or tend to the garden. Involving the whole family can turn these tasks into fun outdoor activities.

Sunday: Rest Day or Catch-Up

Reserve Sundays for rest and relaxation. If any tasks were missed during the week, use this day to catch up. Otherwise, enjoy quality family time and recharge for the week ahead.

Use the 15-Minute Rule

Dedicate 15 minutes each day to a specific area of your home. This prevents messes from piling up and makes cleaning feel less daunting.

The 15-minute rule is a game-changer for busy households. By setting aside a short, focused amount of time each day, you can maintain a clean and organized home without feeling overwhelmed.

• Set a Timer for 15 Minutes Choose a specific task or area to focus on, such as the living room, kitchen counters, or entryway. Set a timer for 15 minutes and work diligently until the timer goes off. You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish in a short time.
• Focus on One Task Concentrate on a single task to maximize efficiency. Whether it’s decluttering a drawer, wiping down surfaces, or organizing a bookshelf, completing one task thoroughly will have a noticeable impact.
• Involve Your Kids Turn the 15-minute rule into a family activity. Assign each family member a different area to clean, and make it a race to see who can finish their task first. Reward the winner with a small prize or extra screen time.

Turn Cleaning into a Fun Activity

Make cleaning enjoyable for the entire family by incorporating music, games, and rewards.

Cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore. By adding elements of fun and competition, you can motivate everyone in the family to participate enthusiastically.

• Music Create a cleaning playlist with upbeat songs that energize and uplift. Music can make time fly by and make cleaning feel less like work. Have a dance party while you clean to make it even more enjoyable.
• Games Introduce games like “Clean Up Bingo” or “Treasure Hunt.” For Clean Up Bingo, create cards with various cleaning tasks. Mark off tasks as they are completed, and the first person to complete a row wins a prize. For a Treasure Hunt, hide small rewards around the house and give clues that involve cleaning tasks to find them.
• Rewards Establish a reward system for completed chores. Offer small rewards like a family movie night, a special treat, or extra playtime. Positive reinforcement encourages kids to take responsibility for their chores and take pride in their work.

Declutter Regularly

Keep clutter at bay by regularly purging items you no longer need.

Clutter can quickly make your home feel chaotic and overwhelming. Regular decluttering helps maintain order and ensures that only useful and meaningful items remain.

Monthly Declutter

Set aside one day a month for a thorough decluttering session. Go through closets, drawers, and toy boxes. Discard broken items, donate items that are no longer needed, and organize the rest.

Donation Box

Keep a donation box in a common area, such as the hallway or garage. Whenever you come across an item you no longer need, place it in the box. Once the box is full, donate the contents to a local charity.

One In, One Out

Adopt the “one in, one out” rule to prevent clutter from accumulating. For every new item brought into the home, remove one old item. This helps maintain a balance and ensures that you only keep what you truly need.

Utilize Smart Storage Solutions

Implement creative storage solutions to keep everything in its place.

Effective storage solutions are essential for maintaining an organized home. By maximizing space and keeping items neatly stored, you can reduce clutter and make cleaning easier.

• Baskets and Bins Use labeled baskets and bins to store toys, school supplies, and other small items. Labeling helps everyone know where things belong, making it easier to put items away.
• Hanging Organizers Install hanging organizers on doors and walls for shoes, accessories, or cleaning supplies. These organizers free up floor space and keep frequently used items within easy reach.
• Shelving Add shelves in closets, laundry rooms, and garages for extra storage space. Use clear bins and baskets on the shelves to keep items organized and easily accessible.

Establish a Drop Zone

Create a designated area for school bags, shoes, and coats to prevent clutter from spreading throughout the house.

A well-organized drop zone can prevent clutter from taking over your home. Designate a specific area near the entryway for school bags, shoes, and coats to keep them from being scattered around the house.

• Hooks and Racks Install hooks for bags and coats at child-friendly heights. This encourages kids to hang up their own belongings as soon as they come in the door.
• Shoe Rack Place a shoe rack or tray near the entryway to keep shoes organized and off the floor. This helps prevent dirt and mud from being tracked into the house.
• Cubbies Use cubbies or baskets for each family member’s belongings. Label each cubby or basket with the family member’s name to keep items organized and easy to find.

Involve the Kids

Teach your kids responsibility by assigning age-appropriate chores. Teaching kids to take responsibility for their own spaces and belongings helps build good habits and reduces the workload for parents.

Chore Charts

Create chore charts for each child with stickers or markers for tracking progress. Include daily and weekly chores, and reward completed charts with a special treat or privilege.

Daily Responsibilities

Assign daily tasks like making beds, putting away toys, or setting the table. These small tasks teach kids the importance of contributing to the household.

Positive Reinforcement

Praise and reward kids for completing their chores. Positive reinforcement encourages them to continue helping and instills a sense of pride in their work.

Keep Cleaning Supplies Handy

Make cleaning supplies easily accessible to encourage regular tidying. Having cleaning supplies readily available makes it easier to address messes as they occur, preventing them from becoming larger tasks later.

• Cleaning Caddies Use portable caddies to keep supplies organized and within reach. Stock each caddy with essential cleaning products, rags, and brushes for quick and easy cleanups.
• Non-Toxic Products Opt for eco-friendly cleaning products that are safe for kids and pets. Products like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils can be effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to harsh chemicals.
• Stock Up Keep extra supplies like paper towels, sponges, and trash bags on hand. Running out of supplies can disrupt your cleaning routine, so make sure to replenish your stock regularly.

Implement a Nightly Reset Routine

End each day with a quick cleanup session to start the next day with a tidy home. A nightly reset routine ensures that your home is clean and organized each morning, setting a positive tone for the day ahead.

• 10-Minute Tidy Spend the last 10 minutes of the evening tidying up common areas. Put away toys, straighten cushions, and clear off countertops.
• Prepare for the Next Day Lay out clothes, pack school bags, and prepare lunches the night before. This reduces morning stress and keeps everything organized.
• Reflect and Plan Take a few moments to reflect on the day and plan for tomorrow. Make a to-do list or note any tasks that need to be addressed.

Designate Homework Stations

Create dedicated spaces for kids to do their homework to keep schoolwork organized. Having a designated homework station helps kids stay focused and keeps school supplies organized.

• Quiet Space Choose a quiet area of the house where kids can concentrate on their homework without distractions.
• Organized Supplies Stock the homework station with necessary supplies like pencils, paper, and calculators. Use organizers and bins to keep everything neat.
• Routine Establish a homework routine where kids know when and where they will do their homework each day. Consistency helps build good study habits.

Set Up Command Centers

Use command centers to keep track of schedules, chores, and important papers. A command center is a centralized spot where you can keep track of family schedules, chores, and important documents.

• Calendar Use a large calendar to keep track of everyone’s schedules. Include school events, extracurricular activities, and appointments.
• Chore Charts Display chore charts in the command center so everyone knows their responsibilities.
• Mail and Paperwork Use bins or folders to organize incoming and outgoing mail, school papers, and other important documents.

Maintain a Clean Kitchen

Keep your kitchen clean and organized with daily habits.

The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house, and keeping it clean requires daily attention.

• Clean as You Go Wash dishes, wipe down counters, and clean up spills as you cook. This prevents messes from piling up and makes after-meal cleanup easier.
• Empty the Dishwasher Run the dishwasher at night and empty it in the morning. This ensures that you have a place to put dirty dishes throughout the day.
• Organize Pantry Keep your pantry organized by grouping similar items together and using bins and labels. Regularly check for expired items and discard them.

Manage Laundry Efficiently

Stay on top of laundry with a streamlined system. Laundry can quickly become overwhelming, but a few simple strategies can help you stay on top of it.

• Sort Clothes Sort clothes by color and fabric type before washing. Use separate bins for whites, darks, and delicates to make sorting easier.
• Fold Immediately Fold clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer to prevent wrinkles and reduce the likelihood of clothes piling up.
• Assign Days Assign specific days for different types of laundry, such as sheets and towels on Mondays and clothes on Fridays.

Tackle Small Tasks Immediately

Address small tasks right away to prevent them from becoming larger issues. Procrastination can lead to bigger messes and more work. Tackle small tasks as they arise to keep your home clean and organized.

• Spot Clean Address spills and stains immediately to prevent them from setting in. Keep cleaning wipes handy for quick cleanups.
• Sort Mail Daily Go through mail as soon as it arrives. Discard junk mail, file important documents, and address any actionable items.
• Pick Up Clutter Take a few minutes each day to pick up clutter in common areas. Encourage family members to put their belongings away as soon as they are done using them.

Optimize Your Morning Routine

Start the day with an organized routine to set a positive tone. A smooth and organized morning routine can set the tone for the entire day.

• Prepare the Night Before Lay out clothes, pack lunches, and gather school supplies the night before. This reduces morning stress and ensures everything is ready to go.
• Wake Up Early Give yourself enough time in the morning to get ready without rushing. A calm and relaxed morning routine can set a positive tone for the day.
• Have a Checklist Create a morning checklist to ensure nothing is forgotten. Include tasks like making beds, brushing teeth, and packing backpacks.

In Conclusion…

Maintaining a clean and organized home during the school year doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a bit of planning, creativity, and teamwork, you can keep your home tidy and stress-free. Eco Clean Ellies is here to support you with eco-friendly products and professional cleaning services whenever you need an extra hand. Happy cleaning!