Keeping a Clean House When A New Baby Arrives

Hello World!  Welcome Friends!  A baby adds to one’s life in many wonderful ways. Did you ever think something so small could create such overwhelming feelings of love? Additionally, they add an unexpected component. All at once, you seem to have no time for daily house cleaning chores and clutter is everywhere. It is important to avoid feeling guilty by remembering that you have more important matters needing your attention – the care and feeding of your baby. However, there are ways to keep a clean house after your baby arrives so that when a person walks in, the home isn’t a complete disaster. This article provides a comprehensive guide for how to do so.

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Set Realistic Expectations

There is a difference between a clean house and a messy house. Those with children know that messes come with active, intelligent, and happy children. When your new baby arrives, you need to change your expectations.  Make a list of cleaning chores and then number them in order of importance. Certain areas of the house might be easier to keep clean, because you do not leave the baby unattended in them. For example, your kitchen and dining room are probably not crawl spaces for your child, so you may want to put them at the bottom of your list. The nursery, or wherever the baby sleeps and gets diaper changes, probably will be at the top of your list. Once you have your prioritized list, you can decide which areas to tackle daily and which on a weekly basis.  

Get Organized

Some mess is a given, but you can organize most of it with baskets, bins, and designating specific places for frequently used larger items.  Additionally, try the following:

• Put everything away when you come home from the store.
• Fold each load of laundry immediately as it only takes a few minutes,
• Sweep the kitchen immediately after dinner and then vacuum any rooms that need it.
• Label drawers, baskets, and bins for baby supplies and clothes.

Simplify Your Life Style

• Use Teamwork

Unless you are a single mother, you have someone else living with you – a husband or significant other and/or children.  Assign some of the simpler tasks such as filling and emptying the dishwasher, sweeping, dusting, and vacuuming. Many tasks are perfect for two, such as cleaning up after dinner. If you find yourself needing additional help, make sure to use cleaning services that use safe cleaning agents like Clean Conscience.

• Multi-task Whenever Possible

Fold clothes while watching TV.  Make calls while on speakerphone as you make dinner. Carry a plastic bag with you when you move through the house to pick up miscellaneous trash. Every time you move from one room to another, take things with you to put away in the rooms you pass through and the one to which you are going.

• Cut Back on Cooking

Take advantage of time-savers. Utilize take-out for main courses. Buy precut vegetables. Try to cook double amounts and then freeze half for use later. Use your crockpot for make-ahead meals; they also keep cooking utensils limited. Search for recipes you can prepare in twenty to thirty minutes.

Finally, involve your baby while you are doing chores. For example, play peek-a-boo with clean clothes as you fold them, or give your little one plastic nesting measuring cups to play with on the floor as you empty the dishwasher.  When you are working on a particular room, have your baby sit in their car seat and watch you work.

Use our tips and you might be surprised to find that you, and your baby, enjoy keeping the house clean.

Click the links below for any posts you have missed:

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