Let’s be honest, if you’re a mom, you’re definitely busy. Whether you’re working a full-time job, or a stay-at-home mom (or dad) your days are pretty much filled up. Among the various chores and odd tasks, cleaning is probably what you spend a good deal of time doing because of kids, as a general rule, are messy.
No matter how many times you teach them to clean up after themselves or help them with that task, kids are just messy. One of their favorite places to make messes is the bathroom, of course. The bathroom is like ground zero for children’s messes, from towels strewn about, messy toothpaste tubes, overflowing trash, you name it, you’ll probably find something out of place in nearly every child’s bathroom.
That’s why parents need to be proactive when it comes to keeping messiness at bay. One of the best ways to do that is to organize, organize, organize. Parents should try to maintain a level of organization, not just to keep a tidy home, but also to save your own sanity. If you find yourself staring into a bathroom that was once sparkling clean, but now looks like category 4 storm has blown through, read these tips on keeping your children’s bathroom as clutter free and clean as possible:
1. Evaluate and Purge
The first step for any parent hoping to maintain a modicum of organization in their child’s bathroom is to pull everything out. Yes, in order to clean the mess we must make a larger mess, but trust us, it will all work out. Gather everything from drawers and cabinets and spread it all out.
Now, with a discerning mind, determine what you need and what you don’t need. Are there half-empty bottles of shampoo/soap/conditioner? Throw them away or consolidate them into one bottle. Assessing what’s in the bathroom and what’s needed will help you eliminate excess products and items that serve no real purpose other than taking up space.
2. Invest in Storage Containers
The best way to keep everything together and in its place is to invest in storage bins. You’ll be able to teach your children that everything has its place and teach them how to return items to said space. Storage containers also help keep unruly messes down to a minimum. You can find bins at Target or any big-box store, usually, they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, so feel free to be creative. Find a color scheme your child might like this way it will help inspire them to want to keep their bathroom clean and clutter free.
Also, using storage containers can help you teach your children how to group things together. Grouping things together in containers is the best way to keep everything organized, especially with rambunctious children. It might take a while for everyone to adjust, but it will save a lot of time over the years.
3. Purchase Bathroom Accessories
In addition to storage units, parents should think about purchasing other bathroom accessories, like wall hooks and hanging baskets. It’s important that children (especially if you have multiple) know that their possessions all have a place to be stored. Purchasing wall hooks for each of your children ensures that they know where their towels go. Not on the floor or the counter or God knows where, but the wall hooks designated for each of them.
Hanging baskets can help with other bathroom items such as shampoo, lotions, conditioners etc. These baskets work best in smaller bathrooms, but virtually any bathroom could use one.
4. Create a Bath box
If your children are young toddlers who like to play with their toys while bathing, create a bath box. You can create an original box and design it with the rest of the bathroom decor or designate another storage container to use. The idea is to have a place where your toddlers can place their bathtime toys. This keeps messiness down to a minimum, teaches them how to clean up after themselves, and keeps the bathroom toys clean and out of the way.
You might want to consider a place around your bathtub to place this bath box and Bathtub Refinishing Orlando might be able to help you determine the best space to place them.
5. Pocket Organizers Go A Long Way
Pocket organizers are amazing. Seriously, is there anything they can’t help you organize? Whether it’s your shoe closet or your children’s bathroom, a pocket organizer will always be a useful tool. If you install an organizer on your children’s shower curtain, you’ll be able to keep all the essential items within arms’ reach. Not only is it a great organizer, but it is also a wonderful space-saving storage tool to use for smaller bathrooms.
If you’re looking to get your kids bathroom in shape for the new year, these tips will help lead you down that path. While there are plenty more ideas to help keep your kids organized, starting with these basics will help you get your unruly bathroom together, and over time keep it that way.