July 19, 2017

Put Together a Cleaning Caddy for Kids

With summer in full swing, structure and routines change. In our house, the kids are responsible at an early age (I start with simple tasks at 2 years old) for tasks and chores around the house. It’s helpful for me, teaches responsibility, and keeps the nagging away. With my cleaning routine I am doing a little bit of cleaning every day and I integrate that into the kids’ days as well. We all do a little bit every day and it really is just a couple minutes to complete a couple simple tasks. I have a couple tactics that I utilize with our three kids and today I’m sharing one of my favorites – a Cleaning Caddy for Kids!

I have found that keeping a little cleaning caddy in the cleaning closet for the kids to use is helpful. I keep it stocked with kid-friendly supplies so we can clean together and learn a little bit at the same time. Here are the most-used and fought over supplies in the kids’ cleaning caddy. I am not saying that you should go out and buy new supplies for your kids, feel free to ‘shop’ your current stash and put together a little kit for your kids to use. If you have a two or three year old, a cleaning cloth, baby wipes, and a small duster could possibly keep them cleaning with you for quite a while 🙂

Want to teach your kids how to help around the house with daily tasks and chores? Make it EASY and FUN for them to help out! Keep the tasks simple and age-appropriate for your house. This cleaning caddy can be used daily, weekly and/or as needed, depending on what works for your family and schedule.

Need some ideas for what kids can do to help out around the house? Here are a couple ideas to get you started:

• make beds
• fold and put away clothes
• dust
• wipe baseboards, door handles, light switches (baby wipes are great for this!)
• dust surfaces
• wipe windows and mirrors
• take out garbage
• wipe counters
• wipe kitchen table
• sweep under kitchen table
• tidy up bedroom
• wipe bathroom counter and sink
• sweep/vacuum floors

I also have some free printable chore charts for kids here if you’re interested or need some ideas of where to get started!

(Obviously, you know your children and know what they can/cannot do on this list, this is merely a suggestion and starting point. Please use care to provide non-toxic cleaners or water in a spray bottle for your children.)

KIDS’ CLEANING KIT SUGGESTIONS:

• microfiber and/or cleaning cloths
• lint roller – great for helping clean lampshades and furniture (and it’s fun too!)
• baby wipes – great for baseboards, doors, and door knobs
• dusting wand
• hand vacuum – I turn my stick/floor vacuum into a hand vacuum for the kids
• mini broom with dust pan – clean up little messes under the kitchen table, after a project, etc.
• scrub brush – use in the sink to clean toys, small animals, cars and trucks or outside to clean bikes, ride-on toys, etc.
• soap – vegetable-based dish or castile soap – can be added to water and a spray bottle
• water or non-toxic cleaner in a spray bottle (keep reading for my favorite DIY kid-safe recipe)
• small cleaning caddy or bucket

Want to make a Kid-Safe Cleaning Spray that works and is safe for your kids to use? Try this simple mixture:

• 1 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 10 drops essential oils – My kids’ favorite mix is 5 drops of lemon and 5 drops of orange.

Pour into a spray bottle with funnel. Attach spray top, shake to combine and use as you would any all-purpose cleaner. (Not to be used on granite and marble; the acid in vinegar will etch the surface.)

You can grab this spray bottle and label in my Clean Mama Home shop here.

I love to include my kids in cleaning – not only does it teach responsibility but teaches them great life skills as well! Go here to see all the posts I’ve written about cleaning with kids.