I live in a house with three tiny humans who are completely oblivious to the destruction they leave in their wake. If you’re a parent, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Larger home improvement projects may be too much to handle, but that doesn’t mean you can’t focus on improving what you are currently working with!
You probably also know how hard it is to find the time to clean up after those lovable little tornadoes we call kids.
So here are some household cleaning hacks that you absolutely need! And who knows, maybe the kids will be impressed with some of your hacks and lend a hand, too.
Cleaning Crayon Marks Off of Walls
I’ve seen a lot of suggestions for cleaning marks off of walls, but nothing works as well as WD-40. Seriously. If it leaves any residue after, just use a little soapy water to clean it off.
I’ve heard a lot of suggestions to use magic erasers. Magic erasers work well, but they tend to remove the paint along with the crayon marks.
I barely have enough time to clean up the marks, I don’t have the time to repaint after!
Cleaning Up Small Toys the Easy Way
If your kids are anything like mine, they love teeny tiny little toys. I can’t stand them, mostly because I’m really good at stepping on them, and also because cleaning them up is tedious.
This is one of those tips that once you hear it, you wonder why you didn’t think of it sooner. Pick up a cheap dust pan from the dollar store to sweep them all up in a snap!
Make Use of the Dishwasher
You can wash a lot more in a dishwasher than just your dishes. Every so often, throw all of your kids’ plastic toys in there and give them a good cleaning and disinfecting.
Obviously, this only applies to toys that can get wet! Don’t put in anything that is fabric or has soft parts, toys with lights and buttons that water can seep into, nothing battery-operated, and it’s probably best to avoid wooden toys, too.
Speaking of Cleaning Toys
Have you ever thought about cleaning your kids’ legos? Because I have to admit that it didn’t even occur to me for the longest time.
Just throw all those legos in a laundry bag, drop them into the washer full of hot water and soap, and let the washing machine do its job!
It’ll be a lot noisier than a regular load of laundry, but it’ll do the trick just fine.
Cleaning the baseboards
To dust your baseboards, rub them down with dryer sheets. It’ll get rid of the dust, but it’ll also help coat them to prevent dust from accumulating as quickly again.
The Only Good Slime
Kids are obsessed with slime. Me, as a parent who has had a couch cushion ruined by it, not so much. But there is one kind that’s allowed in my house.
A slime that cleans! Mix together 1.5 cups of water, 4 ounces of Elmer’s glue, and 1 teaspoon of borax in a bowl.
You can use this slime to get crumbs and other small pieces of dirt out of even the most difficult places to clean, like car vents or keyboards.
I bet the kids will help you with this one!
Glitter be Gone
I hate to admit it, but I love glitter as much as my kids. What I don’t love, though, is when they make a huge mess with it and I can’t seem to get it all up.
If you’re having a hard time getting it all, even with a vacuum, try using a lint roller to pick up the rest of the pieces.
Kid-Friendly Carpet Stain Cleaner
Nix all the carpet stains in a snap without worrying about cleaners full of chemicals. Mix two parts water with one part hydrogen peroxide, throw in a few drops of lemon essential oil, and shake lightly to make sure it’s thoroughly mixed.
Spray the mixture into the carpet and let it sit for a couple of minutes before scrubbing well with a scrub brush. Use a rag to blot up all the liquid, and it should lift the stain out.
Kat Sweet
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