Children make a difference in both time and effort when it comes to keeping a home neat and clean. Even if a family is fortunate to have a regular professional cleaning service, there is still an on-going need for cleaning a child’s room, especially for the very young. Depending on the age of a child will determine how much cleaning the adult must do and what type of cleaning is recommended. Here are some tips that can help a parent know what kind of cleaning is needed and how much to expect the child to be of help in keeping his or her room clean. Cleaning Services Ocala FL
Infants to elementary school: Obviously an infant or toddler cannot clean their room. And, it is during this age group when this age child is frequently on the floor crawling and playing that their room should be kept exceptionally clean. Having a place for items such as clothes, shoes, diaper changing materials, toys, and board books helps keep the room neat and makes it easier to start teaching a child to pick up items when they are finished using them. This also saves time when the adult needs something for the child and doesn’t have to hunt for it. A hint is to use low shelves with bins or baskets to separate toys instead of a toy box that just gets dumped out in a big mess. Rooms for very young children should be vacuumed and dusted regularly, at least once a week. Floors should be washed. Ledges, baseboards, and tops of furniture should be wiped down with antiseptic cloths. Toys should also be wiped down or, when possible, washed and dried in the dryer. Stuffed toys that cannot be washed can be sanitized by putting them in the dryer on low for 15 minutes. When the young child is out of the room, use a germ-fighting spray, such as Lysol, to clear the air of as many germs as possible.
Elementary age children: This age child still needs the help of an adult in the actual cleaning of the room but can be a big help in keeping items not is use put away, including clothes and shoes. Have the hanging rods in closets and storage shelves low enough for the child to reach easily. Keep a dirty laundry basket and wastebasket in their room. Before going to bed is usually a good time to “pick up.” These rooms should be vacuumed at least once a week and dusted and antiseptically wiped down as needed. A specific spray with a germ-fighting ingredient is a good idea as well.
Pre-teens and teens: Good luck!! For some reason, this age group seems to think a messy room is a sign of their age distinction. There also may be an issue with this age group in listening to and following through with the wishes of an authority figure such as a parent or caregiver. A teenager’s room can often become the center of contention, but in most cases, little is accomplished by threats and pleading. Try having a meeting with your teenager to here his or her ideas on the subject of keeping their room clean and see if a compromise can be reached. Something like having their room picked up once a week so you can vacuum and dust might work. Hopefully, having a dirty laundry basket and wastebasket in plain sight can help as well. Teens become adults and with love and encouragement and often with the influence of “ romantic love,” they will evolve into adults who will want their rooms neat and clean.
