Article: Real Mom Hacks - Keep a Clean House on School Nights
Real Mom Hacks - Keep a Clean House on School Nights
When school season starts, it feels impossible to get everything done at home. As parents, we seem to assume that we can and need to do everything right now. And while it’s empowering to feel this way, it’s also often the cause of burnout.
You can do everything manageably on schedule is more achievable.
Help stop small chores from snowballing into impossible tasks with these practical strategies for moms and dads.
No. 1 — Create Simple Daily Cleaning Routines
Focus on small daily tasks that you can complete in 15 minutes each morning and evening.
AM
- Make the beds.
- Wipe down the table and kitchen counters after breakfast.
- Do the dishes and dry the sink.
- Pick up clutter in high-traffic areas.
PM
- Unload the dishwasher and put clean dishes away.
- Wipe kitchen counters and dining table after dinner.
- Vacuum high-traffic areas only.
- Take out the trash to prevent bugs and pests.
- Put the laundry away.
- Puracy’s plant-powered dish soap helps keep the dishes clean without harsh chemicals.
No. 2 — Involve The Kids with Age-Appropriate Chores
Assign simple tasks to the kids to help them take part in keeping the house clean and comfortable:
- Tidy up your own bed in the morning.
- Help put away toys in a hamper.
- Place dirty clothes in the laundry hamper.
No. 3 — Two Things At Once
- Start a quick cycle for a small load of laundry in the morning, then vacuum high-traffic areas while the machine runs.
- Run the dishwasher at night, then use that time to do homework with the kids.
- While the kids are watching their after-school show, fold the clean batch of clothes in the same room.
💡Laundry will never be the same with Puracy’s concentrated and sulfate-free laundry detergent.
No. 4 — Do A Chore Rotation
Monday — Breathe, you’ve probably done a lot over the weekend.
Tuesday — Quick vacuum (high traffic floors, the couch, or the carpet).
Wednesday — Do a cycle with a regular load of laundry.
Thursday — Tidy up the fridge + kitchen cabinets.
Friday — Wipe down and disinfect the bathroom and toilet bowl
Why does this help? It builds a low-maintenance routine that doesn’t rely on memory or willpower.
No. 5 — Make Clean-up a Part of Winding Down After Homework
The kids had a long day in school. They come home to rest a little, then do their homework. Before their after-school show or playing outside (which is equally important!), kids can do one or two quick tasks before screen time or dinner.
- Cleaning and organizing their bag so that it’s ready for tomorrow.
- Preparing for what to wear tomorrow.
- Clearing out their study desk.
- Decluttering their room.
Which brings us to our next agenda:
No. 6 — Prepping the night before
Preparing for school should be done the night before, not in the morning of.
We can be forgetful creatures, and it’s so much easier to get a head start when you start the night before.
Especially when you have pre-schoolers or are training first-time grade schoolers to become responsible at home, you can cut the morning prep significantly with these things:
- Organize pens, pencils, and crayons in a case to avoid marks in the bag.
- Scissors in their rightful compartment to avoid cuts.
- Loose papers neatly filed and clipped to a study folder.
- Books and notebooks are arranged by class schedule.
- Packing cleaning wipes and dry tissue.
💡For unavoidable ink marks on the bag, spray an enzymatic stain remover or use a spray bottle with a few drops of soap dish. Gently agitate with a soft brush until the stain fades, then wipe off with a clean towel.
No. 7 — Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Chores
When things are scheduled, they’re easily more manageable, even when a few items aren’t checked off.
Some need daily or every other day attention. While others can be done once a week or twice a month. You can even make the schedule predictable with an app.
Here’s what a daily school day schedule might look like:
- Make the beds.
- Wipe down dining and kitchen surfaces.
- Do one load of dishes.
- Pick up clutter in common areas.
- Put laundry away or start a small load.
- Take out the trash in the evenings.
Weekly:
- Spread baking soda on the bed and let it sit before vacuuming.
- Disinfect bathroom sinks, toilet, and floor every two weeks.
- Water indoor plants weekly or every other week.
- Change and wash towels
- Refill bathroom essentials.
Monthly:
- Reorganize and clean messy drawers and closets.
- Clean out the fridge.
- Deep clean the washing machine and dishwasher.
- Clean couch stains
- Clean the trash bins.
- Remove stains and clean school bags.
💡Puracy’s Natural Surface Cleaner Concentrate is your best friend in keeping a spotless home. It works on multiple types of surfaces, including stove tops, countertops, mirrors, and even electronics.
Tips for Keeping A Tight Ship During Busy School Weeks
These practical tips complement the routines and schedules by making cleaning more efficient:
-Set a timer. Use a timer for 10-15 minutes to stay focused during daily cleaning sessions. Short bursts are easier to manage and prevent overwhelm.
Create cleaning zones. Divide your home into zones (kitchen, living room, bedrooms) and rotate focus on one zone per day or week to avoid tackling the whole house at once.
Keep essentials in their rightful place. Store cleaning supplies in multiple convenient locations (kitchen, bathrooms) for quick access when you need to wipe spills or tidy surfaces immediately.
Use apps to set reminders or create a chore board for the household. Tools like robotic vacuums or app reminders for cleaning tasks will help save time and keep you organized.
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A Repeatable Schedule for Keeping the House Clean During School Weeks
What makes the biggest difference during school season is an organized schedule and how consistently small things get done.
When the small chores get done throughout the week, life doesn’t have to feel so overwhelming. Keep your routine simple and repeatable, and involve the kids while they find their footing on independence.
And when the chaos builds up again, just pick up where you left off. Or adjust as needed.
When the whole household takes part, you’ll avoid last-minute rushing and burnout, even in the busiest of school weeks.
