This post is sponsored by Art of Green®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Alright mamas, who else is in the full flurry of holiday mode? I know i’ve still got shopping to do to make all of the magic happen, but i do have the tree up and the house is looking rather festive. That doesn’t mean the regular duties of housecleaning magically disappear during this holly jolly season, though. In fact, it becomes a bit more of a juggle to get all the everyday things (like cleaning) done when we’ve got merrymaking to do.
Now, i’m no perfect house housekeeper, but i do like at least some semblance of cleanliness and tidiness–especially during the holidays. Nothing feels more cozy to me than snuggling up next to the Christmas tree in a warm and welcoming home. Here are some of my tips for keeping a clean and tidy home during the holidays–and keeping it simple, too:
Choose Cleaning Products You Love
Sometimes cleaning is just a little more fun (and enticing) when you’re cleaning with products you enjoy using. Art of Green’s Citrus & White Flowers scented cleaners lift my spirit as i lift away the fingerprints and other messes that build up around our 100-year-old home. Plus i know that they’re safe to use around my kids and dog, and they’re derived from 98% natural ingredients.
Clean as You Go
As a kid i was taught a song that still gets stuck in my head to this day: Little by little, inch by inch. By the yard it’s hard, by the inch what a cinch. Never stare up the stairs, just step up the steps. Little by little, inch by inch. Suffice it to say cleaning up little messes is a lot easier (and less overwhelming) than cleaning up big ones. And cleaning up as you go is much much easier than waiting until you have one heaving mess to clean up.
Art of Green’s cleaning wipes makes it super easy, too. Keep a stash in your bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, where have you, and it’ll be even easier to clean up messes quickly. Wiping the bathroom counters down after your morning routine, washing your plate after lunch rather than stacking it for later, or wiping a spill before it’s dried prevents from bigger messes to clean up later. I’m still working on bestowing the benefits of this to my kids.
Delegate
Speaking of kids, get them involved with cleaning up, too. Whether it’s a rotating chore chart, or regular responsibilities they’re in charge of. It’s important for kids to learn how to lend a helping hand. And it’s important that you keep your sanity and not take it all on yourself, as well––i’ve had to learn this over and over as a single mother.
Designate an Emergency Hiding Spot
Okay, with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, things are bound to pile up at some point. Even more so if you’re expecting guests. And there will inevitably be that stack of papers you haven’t filed yet, or random assortment of xyz that you’ve been meaning to sort through. 1 hour before guests arrive isn’t the time to get bogged down with that though. When i find myself in this predicament, that’s when my giant ikea shopping bags come in handy––gather everything up in a large bag or laundry basket and stow them away in a closet or room that guests won’t be wandering into. Just be sure to go back and clear the stash out later when you have more time.
Put Your Feet Up
We’re not made to be slaves to our homes, they’re made for living in. So put your rags, and your feet up, and enjoy it. Take time to play a board game or watch a favorite holiday movie with your kids. Get out and go see the lights. Enjoy the holidays and your home with your family and friends. What’s the point of all this cleaning if we don’t enjoy our homes, too?
What are your top tips for making your house a home and keeping things clean during the holidays? I’d love to hear them in the comments!
Want to win some of your own Art of Green cleaning products and a $50 H-E-B gift card? Visit my Instagram and look for my corresponding post to learn how to enter! Learn more about Art of Green at https://artofgreen.com