Managing the Chaos: How Large Families in Naperville Can Transform Their Homes from Messy to Marvelous
When you have multiple children running around your Naperville home, keeping everything clean can feel like an impossible task. Among the many challenges of parenthood is keeping the house clean and tidy. Multiply the mess by however many children you have and it’s no wonder that parents often feel overwhelmed by clutter at home. However, with the right strategies and systems in place, maintaining a clean and organized home with a large family is entirely achievable.
The Reality of Large Family Living in Naperville
Living in Naperville, Illinois, it may make sense to hire a cleaner to help alleviate the stress of maintaining a household. With the city’s average family size of four, tight work schedules, and an above-average number of pets per household, finding the time and energy to keep a home clean can be challenging. Living in Naperville, Illinois means that maintaining your home can be quite the task. With the average size of homes in the area being around 3,000 square feet, cleaning can become a daunting chore. From dusting and vacuuming to scrubbing bathrooms and mopping floors, the amount of work required to keep your house in tip-top shape can feel never-ending.
Fortunately, with the right system in place, it is possible to stay on top of things and maintain a clean house, even when you have a big family. The key is developing efficient strategies that work for your specific family dynamics and lifestyle.
Essential Strategies for Multi-Child Households
Create a Family Cleaning Schedule
Another great clean tip is to establish a weekly cleaning schedule. A cleaning schedule can turn household chores into a habit and make it much easier to maintain a clean and organized home. In a large family, it’s important to share the cleaning responsibilities. Assign specific chores to each family member based on their age and abilities. Rotate tasks regularly to ensure that everyone contributes to maintaining a clean home.
If you have a large household, divide rooms or chores by day and by person. Use a rotating chore wheel or task chart to keep assignments fair and organized. This approach ensures that no one person becomes overwhelmed while teaching children valuable life skills.
Implement Age-Appropriate Tasks
While it can be important for everyone to pitch in to help around the house and encourage healthy living habits, you need to designate tasks appropriately according to age, ability, and schedule so that no one person ends up cleaning when feeling overwhelmed or is given tasks outside of their capabilities. Dr. Stephanie Fields, a psychologist, recommends giving smaller children simple tasks such as folding their clothes and dusting surfaces at their level and then increasing the tasks as they get older.
I’m a big believer that kids gain so much from learning to contribute to a household when they’re young! We always try to help teach them how to do age-appropriate tasks during the week as well as during our weekly family house cleaning sessions.
Focus on Decluttering First
Decluttering is the key to having a clean home and keeping it that way. A house packed full of stuff is much harder to maintain. One thing I’ve noticed is that clutter attracts clutter. And when you have a big family, clutter can collect quickly. Regular decluttering sessions should be part of your family’s routine.
First, I strongly recommend decluttering your toys. This will ensure that you don’t have unused or broken toys adding to the clutter. Then, consider rotating the toys you have. Toy rotation is an effective Montessori method that involves giving your children access to only some of their toys at a time, and then swapping them for different ones.
The “Clean as You Go” Philosophy
To keep your home as clean as possible, clean as you go. Do the dishes after each mealtime. Wipe down the bathroom counter after you wash your hands. Put dirty clothes in the laundry hamper as soon as you take them off. These seemingly small tasks make a big difference overall.
The best way to stay ahead of the dust, dirt, grime and wear-and-tear is to do a little bit of cleaning every day. Putting it off until spring or some other milestone moment is way too risky; you may be inundated with filth by then.
Quick Wins for Busy Families
The 15 Minute Pick Up is a mom’s super tool. I pull it out whenever we need it. Set the timer for 15 minutes, assign kids to different areas to pick up everything in sight, on the floor, on tables, the kitchen island, etc. This simple strategy can transform your home’s appearance quickly while involving the whole family.
Involving the whole family in cleaning tasks can make the process more efficient and enjoyable. Turn cleaning into a family activity by playing music, setting timers, and working together to complete tasks. Set a timer for 15-30 minutes and challenge family members to complete as many tasks as possible within that time.
When to Consider Professional Help
Sometimes, even with the best systems in place, large families in Naperville need additional support. This is where professional cleaning services naperville can make a significant difference. By hiring a cleaner, you can free up your valuable time to spend with family and pets, rather than worrying about chores. It can also help reduce the burden of cleaning on your already busy schedule, allowing you to enjoy a clean and organized living space without sacrificing precious time and energy.
SparkMaids is a locally operating cleaning company that specializes in making homes and businesses in DuPage County radiate glow. We create a healthy and welcoming environment for our clients. SparkMaids LLC values the environment and your family’s health. We use eco-friendly products that are effective yet gentle. Pet-friendly cleaning maintains the safety of your furry companions. We keep your home fresh and your pets secure.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Having a pristine, clutter-free home is an unrealistic goal for a big family. One aspect I appreciate about the article is its realistic approach to cleanliness. It acknowledges that with kids, maintaining a perfectly clean house all the time may not be feasible or necessary. Instead, the focus is on finding a balance and establishing realistic expectations.
When I say clean, I am not thinking of the same type of clean we had before kids or even the same “clean” we had with one or two kids. When you have a lot of people living in one house, the wear and tear multiplies. Like the proverb says, “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean,” so the opposite applies as well.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s creating a functional, healthy environment where your family can thrive. By creating a cleaning schedule, delegating tasks, using the right tools and products, and adopting a “clean as you go” mentality, you can maintain a clean and welcoming living environment for everyone. Remember, consistency is key, and even small efforts can make a big difference.
Managing a clean home with multiple children in Naperville doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right strategies, realistic expectations, and occasionally some professional help, your large family can enjoy a clean, comfortable home that works for everyone.