Here are some steps we like to follow for cleaning a messy child’s room:

• Dust the ceiling fan
• Clean the windows and windowsills
• Dust wall hangings and wall decorations
• Dust dressers, nightstands, and other surfaces
• Make the bed
• Dust baseboards
• Vacuum the floor and any upholstered furniture

Cleaning Tips for Children: How to Clean Your Room

Whether you’re a busy mom or teen, knowing how to clean your room the right way will save you time and create a space that you’ll love to spend time in.  It will also make it easier for you to focus on your homework.

Follow these steps to having a clean room.

• Put away your clothes.
• Make your bed. A made-up bed can be a great place to organize your stuff.
• Clean up clutter. Put things in their place.
• Declutter and wipe down all surfaces.
• Clean mirrors
• Vacuum the furniture and bed so that they are free of crumbs.  Try doing this once a month.
• Clean your floor last. If you have carpet, vacuum the whole floor even under the bed.  If you have hardwood or vinyl flooring sweep and damp mop any stuck on dirt.

Now that your room is clean, if you do a little each day you’ll have less to clean up on cleaning day. Every day try hanging up or putting away your clothes, clearing away clutter, and wiping down surfaces.

Fun Ways to Clean Your Room

• Music: Try playing music while you clean. It will get you energized and ready to move.
• Basketball: When putting away dirty clothes play a game of hoops by tossing them in the hamper.
• Breaks: Don’t forget to take a break during your cleaning session.
• Mop Socks: Put on a pair of old fluffy socks.  Spray the floor with a cleaning solution and mop away by sliding across the floor!
• Hidden Treasure: Hide dollar bills or snacks in your child’s messy room.  As they clean, they can find the hidden treasure.

Parent Tips: Get Your Children Cleaning

We all know that sometimes it can be a chore to get your children to clean their room but with the right incentives and tools it can be easier.  Here are some ideas that will help your child no matter the age.

• Explain the importance of cleaning and that it’s everyone’s responsibility to take part in cleaning the house.
• Offer incentives: When a child has completed their weekly chores give them an allowance or some other incentive.
• Create a chore chart: Plan and mark your child’s progress using a chore chart with points or stickers for the younger ones.
• Make a cleaning bucket: Put all cleaning tools and supplies in a bucket and put it where it is accessible for your child.  It’s easier to get started if everything is within reach.
• Let them in on the decision making: Does the room need a refresh? If so, let them help in deciding how they want the furniture arranged.  Once everything is moved and in place clean where the furniture used to be.
• Offer to help: If your child is feeling unmotivated or tired, offer to help them for a few minutes.

Children Room Organization Tips

Follow these tips to help keep your child’s room organized.
First, make sure there are enough storage bins and containers to hold all items that cause clutter.  Store like items together.

Children’s Room Organizers

• Plastic drawer units: These pieces are inexpensive and they come in different colors
• Upcycled crates:  These can be found at your local grocery or thrift store.  Line them up or nail them together to create a neat shelving unit.
• Under-bed storage: Purchase long bins that fit under the bed. Some come with wheels to make it easier to put or retrieve from under the bed.

How to Clean Baby Toys, Plush Toys & Other Toys

It’s important to clean toys once a month.  They are left outside and drug across the floor.  With the younger children, they are put in their mouths.  So, cleaning and sanitizing is important.  Safeguard Maid does not offer toy cleaning service but here are some tips to keep your child’s toys clean and sanitized.

Clean plush or hard plastic toys in the washing machine.  When washing plush toys check the label for washing instructions.  Put hard plastic toys in a mesh bag and throw them in the washing machine. Wash in separate loads from the plush toys.

• Hard plastic toys can be put in the dishwasher. Let the hot water and detergent clean them.  Add a half cup of bleach or vinegar for added cleaning.
• Clean hard toys in the dishwasher: If you want to clean plastic or other hard toys (but not wood), put them in the dishwasher and let the detergent and hot water do the disinfecting work for you. If you’re washing toys only, you can add a half-cup of bleach or vinegar to the dishwasher for extra cleaning power.
• Hard plastic toys can also be hand washed in the sink. Let them soak in a sink full of hot water with a half cup of bleach or a couple of cups of white or apple cider vinegar.  Let them soak for five minutes, rinse, and air dry.
• Clean wooden toys with a vinegar and water mixture.  Spray with the mixture.  Wipe any solution away after fifteen minutes.  If vinegar smell remains just spritz with plain water and dry.
• Clean electronics with rubbing alcohol.  Remove cases and covers and wipe down with a microfiber cloth then wipe down with alcohol on a cloth.
• Clean outdoor toys often.  Spray down with a sanitizer spray or use a sanitizing wipe.

Age-Appropriate Chores for Children

Chores for kids, ages 2 to 5:

• Put toys away
• Put clothes in hamper
• Dust
• Use a handheld vacuum
• Stack books and games

Chores for kids, ages 6 to 8:

• Any of the above chores
• Sweep floor
• Make bed
• Sort laundry

Chores for kids, ages 9 and up:

• Any of the above chores
• Vacuum and mop
• Hang clean clothes
• Change sheets
• Clean glass and surfaces
• Clean toys in dishwasher or sink (without bleach)