Bharat SainiLast Updated on March 5, 2019 by Bharat Saini
The first few weeks after bringing home a new baby can be quite difficult, especially if you are a first-time mom. With seemingly endless mommy duties, you will likely neglect other important chores including cleaning your home.
Keeping your home clean, though, is important, especially if you have a baby. You need to keep your home free from germs, dust, dirt, and other substances that can cause your child to be ill. By maintaining a clean, sanitary home, you will ensure the health and safety of your infant.
If you don’t know where and how to begin tidying up your house after bringing your baby home, follow these seven tips:
1. Hire part-time cleaners
Taking care of your newborn will definitely take up most of your time, day and night. Because of this, you will only be able to squeeze in a few minutes of cleaning every day. Doing time-consuming chores such as cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming the carpet, and doing the laundry may seem impossible tasks especially if you only do them once a week.
If you are not up to doing these chores, don’t hesitate to hire part-time housekeepers. Using a housekeeping app, schedule cleaners to tidy up and organize your home once a week.
Part-time housekeepers will do all the tasks you clearly instruct them to do. They will also bring all the equipment, tools, and products necessary for cleaning and sanitizing your home. Additionally, they will accommodate any cleaning-related request you have in mind.
2. Ask your spouse and older kids for help
Aside from hiring part-time housekeepers, keep your home tidy and presentable by getting your spouse and older kids to help you out.
Ask your other kids to do simple chores such as putting their toys in their boxes or containers after playing with them. You can also ask them to fold and place newly-laundered clothes in their dressers.
Give your spouse some chores to do at night and during weekends as well. Or if you want to do the chores yourself, ask him to look after the baby while you do them.
Although your spouse and older kids won’t be doing a lot of heavy cleaning chores, everything they do will help you maintain a tidy home.
3. Do quick cleanups
Even if you are busy taking care of your newborn, you will be able to find time to do some quick clean-ups.
While waiting for a bottle to heat up, put the dirty dishes, glasses, and pots in the dishwasher. If your baby is taking a nap and you can’t seem to catch a wink, dust the furniture or wipe down the kitchen counters and cabinets.
You can also use a baby carrier to carry your child as you make your bed or arrange your things in the bedroom, and while putting away magazines and bits of clutter in the living room while he or she is awake.
4. Make spot cleaning a habit
Keeping your upholstered furniture, carpets, rugs, curtains, and other fabric fixtures clean will go a long way in maintaining an attractive home.
Start by developing the habit of immediately dealing with spills and stains on carpets and upholstery. Spray a spot remover on the area where milk, juice, and beverage was spilled and wipe it. You will quickly and easily remove the stain and make the carpet or upholstery look new again.
5. Keep child-friendly household cleaning products handy
Whether you’re dealing with a carpet stain or spilled food on the table, make sure you’re ready to clean them by placing kid-friendly disinfectants, sanitizing sprays, all-purpose wipes, and cleaning clothes in easy-to-reach places.
This means placing them under the kitchen and bathroom sink for easy access.
Since your child still isn’t walking or crawling, it is also safe to place some wipes and sprays on some tables and the kitchen countertop as well.
6. Do some nighttime cleaning
If you really want to do some cleaning undisturbed, evenings are the best time to do them.
With everyone asleep, including your baby, no one will interrupt you. You will then be able to clean faster and more efficiently.
However, don’t do this every night. Even if you get some sleep during the day while your baby is taking a nap, you need nighttime sleep to stay healthy and be in good shape to take care of your child.
7. Place a storage container or basket in each room
Lastly, stay organized, clean fast, and save space by putting a storage container in each room.
With a basket or container, you can get things off the floor and place them in one place where you can easily find them. This container will also help you clean the room faster since you won’t have to keep picking items up from the floor and transferring them elsewhere.
The arrival of a baby means taking on more responsibilities and chores. Make sure you don’t neglect your cleaning chores while caring for your child by following the tips above.
