7 Ways to Get the Whole Family Involved in Cleaning
Whether or not you enjoy cleaning your home, if it has multiple occupants (be it tenants or family members), it simply isn’t fair that you do all the housework. Not only will it get done quicker if more people chip in, but everybody will be encouraged to take responsibility for the home they share.
Here are 7 ways to get the whole family involved in your house cleaning:
1. If you need help, ask for it!
Even if other members of the household suspect that you’re struggling to keep the home clean on your own, rarely will they offer to help if you don’t ask them to, or if you never express how overwhelming you’re finding it. Leave a list of chores for others to complete, or ask individual family members to perform certain tasks to help out. Ask and ye shall find!
2. Negotiating may be the key
Give those less willing to help out a choice of which tasks they complete, and even if you get lumbered with all the worst jobs, it’s a start!
3. Play the speed game
Getting the cleaning finished quickly is in everyone’s best interests, and setting a timer can be a real incentive to achieve this; just make sure that cleanliness isn’t being completely replaced by speed, you still want the tasks to be completed properly.
4. Incentivize the kids
It’s perfectly alright to offer your kids a small cash reward for completing cleaning tasks assigned to them, and it can be a great way of teaching them the value of money and how it feels to earn it.
5. Delegate certain areas to family members
Having family members take responsibility for certain areas of the home can be a good way of keeping on top of things, provided everyone plays their part. Start by having the kids keep their bedrooms clean and tidy, and then assign other specific zones to remaining family members.
6. Prioritize where possible
Some tasks are more important than others, such as taking out the trash, doing the laundry and washing the dishes, for example, and if your family can help ensure that at least these tasks are always completed, you might feel a bit more relaxed about other areas of the home that haven’t yet been cleaned.
7. Be prepared to lower your standards!
Not everyone will clean to your standard, and nagging and chastising family members for not cleaning things as well as you might, will only serve to discourage them. Be appreciative of their assistance, and offer constructive advice on how to achieve the desired level of cleanliness.
If, after following these steps, you’re still being left to clean the home alone, why not try seeking help from those you know you can rely on? A professional cleaning company will guarantee to get your home spotless, whenever their help is needed, and having them come in regularly – even if only for a couple of hours every other day – will help you keep on top of cleanliness levels within your home, and leave you more time to do the things you enjoy with your family.
