Most moms can agree that they all wish they had more of one thing…TIME! We can all continue to hold out for that time multiplication machine that we’re all hoping will be invented soon. But, until that happens, I want to try and help you “multiply” your time by making the most of it in one key area: CLEANING!

Most people who walk in my house ask me one question almost immediately: how do you keep your house so clean with kiddos?! Now, of course my house is going to be a little more spotless when we’re expecting lots of company. But, on a regular basis, my house does stay very tidy. And I contribute that to a few small things that I believe make a big difference!

• We don’t wait to clean messes! When we cook, when we do crafts, when we take a bunch of toys out, we don’t leave our mess out with the intention of going back to it later. When you or your kiddos make a mess, make it a point to clean it up right then. It’s much easier to clean up several little messes throughout your day versus having 20 messes to clean up all at once later.

• Less is more! Filling your house with tons of furniture, knick nacks, and unnecessary stuff makes it feel cluttered and not tidy. My house has decor, don’t get me wrong, but we choose to be pretty minimalist with our furniture and decorating. This is especially important when it comes to things that sit on the floor. Tons of baskets, floor lamps, rugs, tables; they’re just making your house feel smaller and not as clean. Try going vertical in your organization by putting things either on the wall or in a wall organizer of some sort. And if you can live without that floor lamp, just get rid of it!

• Teach your kiddos young to get involved and stay tidy too! I still remember one night coming home from being out on a date and our babysitter being completely dumbfounded at my kiddos bedtime routine. When she asked them to take their clothes off to put their jammies on, they both immediately took off their clothes and put them into the washer. She said “most kids just throw their clothes on the floor! That’s so crazy they do that on their own!” But you see, my kids don’t realize that’s even an option! They know if the washer is open, their clothes go in there. If it’s closed, their clothes go in the hamper. They also always clear their own plates and cups and put them into the sink. Any little jobs that you can give your kids to do takes that job away from you, and makes them feel good to have some responsibility! If you haven’t started these habits young, that’s ok! Start implementing them now!

• Realize it won’t be perfect, but it can be clean! Your house isn’t going to look like a magazine. The people in magazines even say their homes don’t look like what they do photography day! Perfection isn’t the goal. But a clean and tidy house can promote less anxiety, a more peaceful environment, and a place where items can be found easily because things are put back where they belong. If this all seems overwhelming, just try adding in one thing every week to your daily schedule that you didn’t do before. Maybe this week you add in making beds in the morning. Then next week you add in keeping dishes out of the sink. Make it attainable for you and don’t get down on yourself if you have days where it just doesn’t happen.

Let me know if you have any tips or tricks of your own to help keep your home a clutter free and peaceful space! And let me know if you implement any of these ideas for your own home as well! I’d love to hear what works or doesn’t work for you.