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The sun is shining, the days are longer, and the heat index just keeps climbing…it is officially summertime!
And while we may wait all year for this season to arrive, we most certainly do NOT wait for the accompanying mess. Mud, sand, dirty clothes, stains, sticky fingers, smudged windows, the list of filth goes on and on. Sure, the saying may be, “The most memorable days end in the dirtiest of clothes”, but let’s face it…you’d be hard-pressed to find a parent who loved scrubbing out stains, loved doing laundry, loved cleaning up sand, loved washing windows, and loved spending their precious summer days cleaning.
The Ultimate Summer Cleaning Checklist
So, what if I told you that summer days can be dirty, but your house and life don’t have to be? By simply implementing this simple and effective summer cleaning checklist, your summer of family fun will allow for more days in the sun and fewer days cleaning.
Tip #1- Involve Your Kids
All too often we find ourselves cleaning up after our kids, but what about cleaning up alongside them? I’m a firm believer that kids are never too young to learn the importance of cleaning up after themselves. If they spill, they should know how to grab a towel and clean it up. When they track in sand, it is time to get it back out. After they dump out every toy in the toy box, they should know exactly how to put it all back. Not only will this take some of the load of your cleaning duties while simultaneously teaching your children responsibility, but it will also help limit the mess from the start. When kids realize they will have to pick up their own mess, they are less likely to make it.
Looking for the perfect way to encourage “clean-up” time? A simple search online will bring you to TONS of “clean-up” songs. This one is our family favorite. Not only do these songs trigger the activity, but they tend to help expedite the process as well.
Tip #2- Shoes Off
When you come in from outside, your shoes stay outside (or stay in a set location in the entryway). While I lack the science behind this, I wouldn’t doubt if 90% of all dirt makes its way into your home via our shoes. To help with this reminder, place a cute sign on the door. To send the message home, be sure to place a rug or location next to the door where shoes can easily be placed.
Below is a picture of two baskets I placed immediately within our mudroom door. One basket per child.
Tip #3- Wash Those Hands
Getting in the habit of washing your hands (and having your children do the same) the minute you come in from outside is not only great at preventing germs (no one wants to be sick during the summer!) but also stops the dirt from entering and helps keep the house clean. Chalk hands, mud hands, sand hands, the list goes on and on.
Tip #4- Extend the Fresh Smell
Let’s face it, summer clothes can be dirty, smelly, and altogether rather disgusting. With summer sporting activities, increased perspiration, and overall dirt accumulation, laundry is a must. However, as a wise individual once stated, “work smarter, not harder.” In other words, extend the fresh smell of your clothes, without having to extend the time you are doing laundry.
My favorite way to do this is with Snuggle® Scent Shakes™. These amazing in-wash scent boosters extend the “just-washed freshness” for up to 100 days out of storage. They even work great on eliminating tough odors from pets, outdoors, and athletics. I shop for mine at Walmart (with my favorite being the Snuggle® Scent Shakes™ Blue Sparkle® and SuperFresh® Original), but you can also find them at other retailers like Kroger, Dollar General, Family Dollar, or Target. I love Snuggle® & the scent it brings in our home.
Tip #5- Designate Cleaning Times
It may come as no surprise that the larger the task, the more daunting it becomes. The same most definitely applies to cleaning. The more mess there is to clean up, the less likely you are to get started and one day’s mess rolls into the next. As a result, designating set cleaning times helps keep the mess to a minimum. Our favorite way to apply this rule is before eating times. In other words, if you want to eat, you clean. Okay, okay…maybe not that harsh, but the times seem to work great in our household.
Just prior to lunch, we clean up the morning mess. Right before dinner, we clean up the afternoon mess. And before bedtime snack, we clean up the evening mess. This same rule applies for larger tasks. For example, Mondays you clean bathrooms, Tuesdays you clean bedrooms, Wednesdays you deep clean the kitchen, etc.
Tip #6- Clear Organization
By clearly labeling locations and having designated areas for designated items, you are far less likely to accumulate the clutter and thus mess. For example, the garage is the perfect home for outdoor toys. By using pre-labeled bins for balls, chalk, etc. you are sure to encourage organization.
Tip #7- Be Prepared and Think Ahead
Always think three steps ahead. As a parent, you are likely already quite familiar with this concept. If your kids are huge crafters (always painting, gluing, etc.), then designate a set tarp that is stored away and comes out for craft time. Allow your kiddos to craft on top of it and simply pick it up when complete. If your kiddos are always coming inside muddy, have a bin next to the door that allows them to throw their dirty clothes into the bin and exchange it for a clean pair already waiting.
That’s it!
This super simple summer cleaning checklist for your family will help ensure a summer of fun, without the filth.
Want more tips on cleaning? Check out my posts below!
Expecting Guests? How to Clean Your House Fast in Under 10 Minutes
Preparing for Overnight Guests? Don’t Forget These Simple Steps
summer cleaning checklist
