Kids can make big messes, especially in the bathroom. Adopting a regular cleaning routine can help you ensure that conditions remain sanitary in the space, and when you involve your child in the work with a kids' chore chart, you can teach them about the importance of cleanliness and foster a sense of responsibility in them. In this post, we'll share tips on how to keep bathrooms clean daily and make a kids' chores chart that will enable your child to aid in the task.
The Benefits of a Clean Kids Bathroom
Kids are more likely to carry through with chores when they understand the importance. As a result, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the benefits of having a clean kids' bathroom.
The number one reason is hygiene. After all, bacteria and viruses are all around us. Most of the thousands of bacteria present in our homes don't make us sick, but a small percentage of these germs can cause illnesses. Due to warm, damp conditions created by tubs and showers, bathrooms are a breeding ground for germs. If you don't clean regularly, bacteria can quickly multiply in the space, and there's a greater chance for encountering harmful germs.
Another key reason for maintaining a clean bathroom is comfort. When the bathroom is clean, it smells and looks better, and it becomes more pleasant for everyone to use.
Essential Cleaning Supplies
To get the bathroom clean from top to bottom, you'll typically need the following:
- Bathroom or multi-surface cleaner
- Bucket
- Cleaning rags
- Glass cleaner for mirrors
- Mop
- Odor eliminating products
- Scrub brush
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Toilet brush
- Vacuum cleaner
As you compare cleaning products, look for ones that are free of harsh chemicals that pose a risk for skin irritation and can release dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Natural products that contain plant-based ingredients can lower your and your child's exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Creating a Chore Chart
A chore chart for kids is a chart where you list the cleaning tasks that your child is responsible for completing. You can purchase magnetic dry erase chore charts or create one on a chalkboard or whiteboard. Or, you can download a chore chart app!
In order for a kids' chore chart to be successful, you'll need to select tasks that are age appropriate for your child. For small children, wiping off the sink and counter may be enough responsibility. Older children can complete more bathroom cleaning chores like cleaning the mirror, scrubbing out the tub and shower, cleaning the inside of the toilet bowl, wiping out the outside of the toilet and cleaning the floor. You can also add keeping the bathroom well stocked by replacing toilet paper and putting away towels and linens to the chart.
When designing your kids' chores chart, it's a good idea to write out a quick explanation of how to complete each task, so your child knows how to keep the bathroom clean. Then, demonstrate the proper procedure to your child.
Making Cleaning Fun for Kids
Children are more likely to follow through with their chores when you make the task fun. The best way to do that depends on your little one. You could create a bathroom cleaning playlist of their favorite songs and turn it on when it's time for chores, or turn the work into a game by playing red light green light go or Simon says while they clean. Another idea is to purchase colorful cleaning tools, such as a scrub brush in your child's favorite color.
Rewards systems can also keep kids motivated to clean. At the end of each day, you can give your child a sticker or small prize for crossing off everything on the list. Once they earn a certain number of stickers, they can turn them in for a bigger reward like a trip to their favorite pizza parlor or a movie night. Have your child set their prize goal ahead of time, so they have something tangible to work toward.
Above all, make sure to praise your child when they perform the tasks on their chore chart. Recognition can provide powerful reinforcement that will keep them dedicated to completing their cleaning responsibilities.
Safety Considerations
Since many bathroom cleaning products contain chemicals, it's important that children learn how to handle them correctly. Share safety tips like never spraying a cleaner directly on themselves or someone else. If your child is old enough to read, teach them how to read labels to find out the safety considerations for various products.
As previously mentioned, choosing natural cleaning products can help protect your child from the effects of chemicals. Opt for toilet, glass and multi-surface cleaners that are plant-based whenever possible.
To combat odors in the bathroom, use Fresh Wave products. Our Odor-Eliminating Gels, Sprays and Packs are 100% free of toxins and VOCs, yet they're highly effective. The secret to their odor-fighting power is our Fresh Air Technology that releases blends of plant oils into the air to seek out odor-causing molecules. Once the plant-based oils encounter them, they surround the odor molecules and neutralize them through a chemical reaction. The result is a fresher smelling bathroom.
Get on Your Way to a Cleaner, Fresher-Smelling Kids' Bathroom
Keeping your child's bathroom clean can cut down on bacteria and make the space more comfortable to use, and involving your child in the process can teach them about responsibility and cleanliness while helping them develop key life skills. By using a kids' chore chart, you can motivate them to complete their daily cleaning tasks, and when you choose natural products like Fresh Wave Odor Eliminators, you can help your child stay safe while they lend a hand. Discover all the Fresh Wave odor-eliminating products for bathrooms and get on your way to a cleaner, fresher-smelling space.
