Ah, back-to-school season—the time when fresh pencils, packed lunches, and missing shoes magically reappear in every room of the house. While you're juggling school supply lists and snack prep, there's one thing that shouldn't be on your solo to-do list: cleaning up after everyone.
Good news: with a little creativity (and a spritz of Plantiful Clean), even the tiniest tornadoes in your home can become part of the cleanup crew. 💪 Here are 3 playful, sanity-saving tips to help your kids actually clean up after themselves—and feel good doing it.
1. Make Cleaning a Race (Because Kids Love Winning)
Got two kids and a floor full of LEGO landmines? Challenge them to see who can clean up their mess the fastest. Set a timer, blast their favorite dance song, and announce a reward for the "Clean-Up Champ" (think: extra bedtime story or choosing tomorrow’s breakfast).
🎉 Bonus Tip: Keep a Plantiful Clean spray bottle handy (they’ll love the yummy scent and pretty packaging), and let them spray and wipe their own play table. You’ll be amazed how fast “I don’t want to” becomes “Can I do it again?”
2. Give Their Stuff a Home (and Make Them the Landlord)
If toys, books, and lunchboxes had their own tiny apartments, they’d never be left homeless on your kitchen floor, right? Give bins and baskets fun names (like “The Plush Pet Palace” or “Homework Hotel”) and tell your kids they’re the official “managers” of that area.
🏠 Cleaning with confidence: Let your kiddos tidy with Plantiful Clean’s non-toxic products—safe for little hands, and absolutely no synthetic fragrances or sketchy chemicals lurking in the bottle. So yes, your toddler can wipe the counter without wiping out their immune system.
3. Use a Cleanup Chart (Stickers Make Everything Magical)
Back to school means back to structure—which means it’s the perfect time to bring out the chart of all charts. Create a simple checklist that says:
✅ Put away shoes
✅ Hang up backpack
✅ Wipe the table
Every time they complete a task, they earn a sticker (and eventually a bigger prize like a weekend movie night or choosing what’s for dinner).
✨ Pro Tip: Cleaning feels more like a game when the products smell amazing. Our Plantiful Clean sprays come in scents kids (and grownups) actually enjoy—no "chemical lemon" here!
So... Is It Bribery? Maybe. But It Works.
Getting kids to clean doesn’t have to feel like herding cats through a bubble bath. With a little playfulness, a lot of praise, and the peace of mind that Plantiful Clean products are safe for everyone in the house, you'll be setting your family up for success this school year.
🧽✨ Ready to make non-toxic cleaning part of your back-to-school routine?
Shop Plantiful Clean and let the cleaning (and giggling) begin.
