Summertime means the kids are at home and they have a free run of the house. On most days my house resembles the before page of any home makeover magazine. One look at my living room and you know a typhoon, aka my kids, has struck. Toys strewn on the floor, sofa cushions dislodged and used as stepping stones, half-eaten plates of snacks on the table and well, I can get more graphic.
Raising kids was never a very clean job, and I caught on early! So to maintain my sanity I've invested in a few things that can help me clean up in a jiffy and have my home looking neat and clean in no time. Especially when you are just about to have company over!
This Mother's Day, here are some tips for fellow stressed out moms!
1.Upholstery: Between my two boys, there isn't much the living room couch hasn't seen. It has seen bare bottoms and nasty jumps. It doubles up as a trampoline and as a nap place of choice for our dog. It suffers in silence all day, every day. So smart moms, make sure you embrace pattern and texture or dark colours. You could even use washable slipcovers. That way you can't really see the spills and if it is something too nasty, just wash it!
2. Walls: Walls can be bumped into, scraped against, drawn on and withstand the full onslaught of a glass of juice (true story!) So that's why if you have kids at home, plan ahead and make sure to go with paint that is washable and easy clean paint for the home. If there is a stain or a spill, all you need to do is use a wet cloth and wipe it clean! We used Berger Easy clean paints and it works like a charm!
3. Storage: Clutter and toys strewn about is inevitable when you have kids. When my kids come to me with strange knick knacks and leaves they find in the garden that they want to keep, "forever and ever", I Don’t have the heart to say no and that's just how clutter begins. When you buy furniture make sure you buy pieces that do double duty as storage bins. So side tables with cupboard, or drawers built into beds and couches – anything you can use to hide that extra clutter. Also keep a few bins on hand to dump things in through the day and sort them out before bed.
4. Cleaners: Learn about the magic that a little baking soda or bottled soda can do when it comes to removing everyday stains. Got a chocolate stain on your child’s tee, simply add a little baking soda before throwing it into the wash. It’s natural and completely toxic free!
5. Make technology work for you: Put something away in storage? Make sure you write a note on it on an organizing app. Chances are busy moms will definitely forget what they kept where and waste a few hours looking for it. With a list of a note- you know exactly what you kept where.
6. Decorate higher up: Want to display beautiful crystal figurines or your priced antique knick-knacks? You can, but just make sure you put it on a shelf a little higher than your child’s reach. Put it on the higher shelves of your showcase or credenza.
7. Zone it out: Create zones for meals, playing, reading and sleeping. For example, meals cannot be eaten in front of the television in the living room or on the bed in the bedroom. This creates less clutter and makes cleaning up a lot easier.
Image source: sheinthecle.com
This post is written in association with Berger Paints.
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