With back-to-school approaching fast, it’s the perfect time to reset and refresh your home after a busy summer. Whether you have young children or teenagers, a clean and organised environment helps everyone start the academic year on the right foot. Here’s a comprehensive guide to back-to-school cleaning.

1. Decluttering and Organising

Start with decluttering key areas like bedrooms, study spaces, and common areas. Over the summer, toys, clothes, and miscellaneous items tend to accumulate. Sort through these items, getting rid of things that are broken, outgrown, or no longer used. Donate used items or maybe organise a swap with other families.

Next, focus on organising. Create designated spaces for school supplies, backpacks and lunchboxes. For younger children, set up an accessible, well-organised homework station with basic supplies like pencils, markers, paper, and a calendar. Older students may benefit from a quiet, tech-friendly workspace, ideally in their bedroom, that’s free from distractions

2. Deep Cleaning the Bedrooms

After decluttering, deep clean your child’s bedroom. Strip the beds and wash all bedding, including mattress covers and pillowcases. Rotate the mattress if needed. Dust and wipe down surfaces like desks, dressers, and bookshelves. Don’t forget to dust light fixtures, blinds, and ceiling fans, which often gather summer dust. Hoover carpets and rugs and mop any hard floors. Organise wardrobes by sorting clothes into what still fits and what needs to be stored or donated.

3. Cleaning and Organising School Supplies

Before you go shopping for new school supplies, check what you already have. Sort through last year’s supplies, discarding dried-out markers or broken items. Reuse what’s still in good condition. Clean out backpacks and school bags and make sure lunch boxes are clean and ready for the new school year.

4. Refreshing the Kitchen

With the school year approaching, your kitchen will be the hub for meal prep and packed lunches. Start by decluttering the fridge and food storage cupboard. Discard expired items and make room for easy-to-grab snacks and lunch ingredients. Wipe down fridge shelving and drawers with a vinegar and water solution.

Clean and organise kitchen surfaces to streamline meal prep. Designate a specific spot for lunchboxes, snack containers and water bottles so everything is easily accessible in the busy morning rush. Consider creating a weekly meal plan to keep meals healthy and efficient, reducing stress on school days.

5. Living Room and Hallway Cleaning

The living room and hallway are high-traffic areas that can become cluttered during the school year. Deep clean the living room by dusting surfaces including electronics and hoover or mop the floors. In the hallway, set up an organised space for shoes, jackets, and backpacks. Consider using hooks and storage containers to keep things tidy. A clean, organised hallway reduces chaos in the mornings.

6. Bathroom Clean-Up

With more morning routines happening, a clean and organised bathroom is essential. Clean mirrors, sinks, and counter tops. Organise toiletries and make sure everyone has their own space for their morning essentials. Regularly replace towels and consider using color-coded ones for each family member to keep things organised.

7. Establishing a Cleaning Routine

Once everything is clean and organised, establish a weekly cleaning routine that keeps your home in order throughout the school year. Involve your children in daily tasks like tidying up their rooms, organising their backpacks, and helping with chores. A consistent routine will make it easier to maintain a clean environment during the busy school months.

By investing some time into back-to-school cleaning, you set the stage for a productive and organised school year. A clutter-free home reduces stress, helps your family stay organised, and creates a welcoming environment for learning, routines, and family time.

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