HOW TO KEEP A CLEAN HOME WITH KIDS (& GIVEAWAY)
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Rug Expedition. All opinions expressed within are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
My kids are total slobs.
They are very loving, cute slobs, but OH.THE.MESSES they create. Honestly, some days Chez Schugar produces children’s-book-storyline-worthy messes.
Over time, my husband and I have developed strategies to help wrangle the mess. Since I am very visual, I have a hard time giving up style in favor of kid-friendly, easy decor.
OUTDOOR RUGS – INSIDE
Les face it – rugs get pretty beat up with three kids and a dog. One tip I learned year ago from decor magazines is that outdoor rugs can be used inside and they are much more durable. Recently Rug Expedition sent me an over a gorgeous LoLoi Isle outdoor rug that we added to our family room. Immediately the whole room was brighter, and I was no longer totally freaked out about the boys bringing their sippy cup or the dog tracking her dirty feet on the rug. Why? The rug can be brought outside and HOSED OFF if it gets dirty. I mean, if you have little kids or messy pets, could this rug make it any easier to keep your space clean?
Unfortunately, our rugs take a huge beating. Indoor scooters, big spills, and lots and lots of foot traffic. With an outdoor rug placed inside, I have to worry less about frequently replacing my rug and can instead just focus on enjoying my time with the boys!
LABELED BINS
In the boys’ closets, we have bins labeled with the numbers 1 through 4. This has allowed the boys to put away their own clothes starting around age 3.5. #1 is tops, #2 is bottoms, #3 is PJs, and #4 is undies. We keep socks in a communal bin that the boys grab from that includes a side area to collect “lonely” socks. Eventually their mate turns up, and I know right where the sock is.
REMOVABLE PILLOW COVERS
Every throw pillow in my house has an interchangeable slipcover. Between the dog sleeping on them and the boys touching them with sticky fingers or piling the floor to make a softer landing spot for when they jump from the couch. I grab fabric I like and sew simple slipcovers that I can swap out seasonally and throw in the wash when needed!
BUCKETS AND BASKETS
I might have a small hoarding tendency for buckets and baskets. They move around my house so that I can throw the kids’ toys, stuffed animals, and other odds and ends inside.
A white, gray, and green living room and playroom that is versatile for the whole family. Plenty of storage!
MOVIE STORAGE
We use those old CD storage cases to keep the kids’ movie collection contained. Besides taking up minimal space, we can grab the collection to use on the car’s DVD player for longer car trips.
CUBBIES
We built these cubbies a few years ago, and they have been awesome for containing all of the junk that comes with a family of five. Each child has their own cubby where they can put their backpack, jacket, and shoes.
GLASS-FREE FRAMES
None of the frames in my house contain glass. My boys are always bouncing balls and it is inevitable that they are going to crash down a frame or two in their lifetime. Plexiglas makes this possibility much less messy.
HOOKS
Additionally, we added three hooks in the bathroom – one for each kid – where they can hang their towels. Everyone has their own place which helps with messes – even if they are too short to reach the hooks yet!
Finally, Rug Expedition wants to give one Daze and Knights reader a $100 GC to their store. That’s enough to buy one of their $99 and under rugs and have it shipped to you for free! This giveaway is opened to residents of the 50 US states and DC who are 18+. The giveaway entry period begins September 2, 2016 and will end October 1, 2016.
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