Tips for Keeping Your Home Clean with Kids (Summer Edition)

Summer is full of fun, but when the kids are home all day, keeping your house clean can feel like an impossible task. From sandy footprints to sticky fingers and endless toys, it’s easy for things to spiral quickly. But with a few smart strategies and a little creativity, you can maintain a clean, fresh home—without missing out on the joy of the season.

Clean and child-friendly? It is possible!

Here are our top summer cleaning tips for families with kids:

1. Create a Kid-Friendly Cleaning Routine

Children thrive with structure—and so does your home. Set simple, age-appropriate cleaning tasks for each day. For example:

• Morning: Make beds, tidy bedrooms

• Afternoon: Quick toy pickup

• Evening: Wipe down tables after dinnerUse fun timers or sticker charts to make it engaging. Cleaning becomes less of a chore and more of a game!

2. Embrace Outdoor Play (with Boundaries)

Encourage outdoor fun to keep messes outside. But establish a few house rules:

• Shoes off at the door

• Dirty clothes straight into a laundry basket

• Outdoor toys stay outside. Set up a “mudroom” or mat area where kids can rinse off or wipe down before coming inside.

3. Make Cleaning Supplies Accessible

Keep non-toxic, kid-safe cleaning wipes or spray bottles handy so older children can clean up after themselves. Having the right tools nearby makes it easier to handle spills, crumbs, and surprises in the moment.

4. Tackle Summer-Specific Messes Early

Summer brings sand, grass, sunscreen, and sticky treats (if we ever get a sunny day!). Stay ahead of it by:

• Placing doormats at all entrances

• Having hand wipes and towels near doorways

• Washing swimwear and towels promptly

• Keeping snacks at the table only (limit sticky popsicles to outdoors!)

5. Declutter Frequently

More time at home = more clutter. Involve kids in a weekly toy rotation or “tidy challenge” where they help choose items to donate or put away. Less clutter means easier cleaning and less overwhelm for everyone.

6. Use “Reset Times” Throughout the Day

Rather than waiting for things to pile up, schedule 5–10 minute reset breaks during the day to tidy up. You can even turn it into a dance party or speed-clean challenge.

7. Consider a Helping Hand

Between holidays, playdates, and summer chaos, don’t hesitate to bring in professional help. A weekly or fortnightly clean from a trusted service can give you more time to enjoy the sunshine (and less time stressing over mess).

Keep It Clean, Keep It Fun

Cleaning with kids in the summer doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right habits and a bit of teamwork, your home can stay fresh, functional, and fun all season long.

Ready to take the pressure off? Neat & Sweet Cleaning Co. is here to help busy families stay on top of it all. From regular cleans to deep summer refreshes, we’ve got your back.