We all want to have a home that is clean and serene, but if you are already juggling a busy job alongside the demands of a family then keeping on top of the cleaning is likely to fall to the bottom of your priorities list.
Running a home takes time and effort but the good news is that, with the help of these simple life hacks, it is possible to speed up the process and help turn your clean and organised home dream into a reality:
Proper Prior Planning
If the mornings are a mad rush, and the thought of dealing with another lost coat, homework folder or school shoe fills you with dread, then take the time to organise everything you need the night before instead. Lay out the clothes each child will need, pack their backpacks, and even make packed lunches and pop them in the fridge. This will free up time in the morning and make the process feel much less stressful.
Older children can learn independence by taking over this task, preparing their own supplies for the next day at school before they go to bed.
Label Everything
Thought school name tags were only useful for labelling school uniform? Think again! These are an incredibly useful tool in any busy mum’s armoury, and can be used for hundreds of different things, particularly if you have more than one child. Start by labelling all their clothes, to make sorting and putting away laundry a much faster job. Labelling their toys might also make organising the toy box at the end of the day an easier task if you have younger children.
Plan Meals
If the idea of slaving over a hot stove after a busy day fills you with dread, then why not plan your meals and batch cook in advance. Spending just one day every couple of weeks in the kitchen will save you hours each night when you get home from work. Whip up huge vats of chilli, bolognaise sauce, lasagne, curry, or any other simple and tasty meals that your children love.
These dishes all freeze incredibly well, meaning that all you have to do to feed your hungry family is reheat the main dish, throw together a salad, and boil some rice or pasta. You’ll be able to serve a nutritious and delicious meal each night in minutes, and your kitchen will look much cleaner too!
Cut the Clutter
Most mums aren’t bothered by the occasional dust bunnies that gather in their homes but by the pile of clutter that never seems to disappear. Erase this problem, and streamline your life, by getting rid of anything you don’t need (most charity shops will be delighted to accept outgrown children’s clothes and toys) and ensuring you have enough storage for everything else. You might think you don’t have the space for any more storage baskets or another shelving unit, but they will look much better (and are much easier to keep clean and tidy) than those piles of clutter everywhere.