The start of a new school year is an exciting time for most families. Along with new teachers, fresh school supplies, and packed calendars comes the return of busy mornings, homework, after-school activities, and weekend commitments.
Before the school year gets into full swing, take some time to reset your home. A clean, organized space can make daily routines easier and help your family stay on top of the busy months ahead. Use this back-to-school cleaning checklist to prepare your home for a successful school year.
1. Declutter Summer Gear
Summer activities often leave homes overflowing with beach towels, pool toys, sports equipment, hobby knickknacks, forgotten suitcases, and vacation souvenirs. Before school starts, pack away anything you won’t need every day. Decluttering seasonal items creates more usable space for everyday school essentials.
2. Organize the Entryway
The entryway becomes command central once school begins. Understandably, it can get really messy here, especially in the morning when everyone’s rushing out to catch the school bus. However, you also want to put in your best effort to make it organized and presentable since it’s the first thing that guests see when they open your doors.
- Add hooks, baskets, or cubbies to create designated spaces for backpacks, shoes, coats, and umbrellas.
- Put an outdoor and indoor mat and rug to trap all outdoor dust and debris.
- Do a five-minute reset every evening.
- Curate your entryway essentials depending on the season (for example, have raincoats and boots ready if it’s rainy) and school activities scheduled for the week or month.
3. Deep Clean the Kitchen
The kitchen works overtime during the school year with early breakfasts, packed lunches, after-school snacks, and family dinners. While it’s important to have a fully stocked fridge and pantry, making an effort to deep clean and organize your kitchen will save you time and unnecessary stress.
- Deep clean your fridge, dishwasher, and inside the microwave.
- Deep clean your garbage disposal and kitchen sink.
- Declutter your pantry.
- Sanitize countertops.
- Organize all drawers dedicated to school lunch boxes, tumblers, etc.
4. Refresh Bedrooms
We can’t deny the benefits of optimal sleep health, not just for your school-aged children, but for parents and primary caregivers, too. Research published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine reveals that people who sleep in messy bedrooms are more inclined to struggle falling into sleep or experience erratic sleeping patterns throughout the night. As a result, insufficient sleep can negatively impact one’s ability to focus, mood, and overall behavior.
Before the term starts, make sure every member of your family gets a good night’s rest. Follow these steps for a quick bedroom reset.
- Wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets.
- Dust ceiling fans, furniture, and other surfaces where dust tends to settle.
- Wipe all shelves, study desks, and bedside tables.
- Get rid of visual clutter on nightstands, shelves, and floors
- Vacuum carpets and under the bed to remove dust, dirt, and pet hair that can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas.
- Organize closets and drawers by putting away outgrown clothes and setting aside school outfits for the week.
- Create a relaxing bedtime environment by keeping electronics, toys, and other distractions to a minimum.
5. Scrub and Spruce Up Bathrooms
Whether you’re prepping one or multiple kids for school, there’s no arguing that a sparkling and well-stocked bathroom will help make your morning run more smoothly. Check out this quick guide:
- Scrub showers and tubs
- Sanitize toilets
- Clean mirrors
- Wash bath mats
- Replace worn towels
- Restock soap and toiletries
Make This School Year Stress-Free
The beginning of a new school year is the perfect opportunity to reset your home and establish routines that make everyday life easier.
Whether you tackle the checklist yourself or leave the hard work to the professionals, a clean and organized home helps reduce stress, improve productivity, and create a healthier environment for your entire family.
If you’re ready to start the school year with one less thing on your to-do list, get a free quote and book a clean today.
