I don’t have a cleaner. I don’t have a housekeeper. And with three small kids, food photography shoots, and laundry multiplying by the second, cleaning often feels like a losing battle.
But over time, I’ve found a few tools, rhythms, and small mindset shifts that actually help. This isn’t a deep-cleaning routine or a Pinterest-perfect guide. This is what works in real life, with real mess, real kids, and real exhaustion.
💡 The Tools That Save My Sanity
1. Robot Vacuum (Mostly for Carpets)
Ours does a great job on the carpets—especially the high-traffic areas like the living room and hallway. It doesn’t work as well on hard floors, but for daily maintenance, it’s a game-changer. I just set it going and let it do its thing while I handle something else.
2. Electric Scrubber
I have a small hand-held electric scrubber that’s amazing for sinks, corners, and the bath. When I only have five minutes (which is most days), this helps me do a quick blast of deep cleaning without killing my wrists.
3. Heated Floor Mop… on Countertops
Okay, this one’s a bit unconventional—but I use our heated floor mop on the kitchen counters. It gets everything off. I always double-check our worktop material for heat safety, but so far, it’s been great. It lifts dried-on food and greasy splashes way better than spray and a cloth.
🚪 One Room at a Time (And Shut the Door)
I used to flit between rooms, starting five things and finishing none. Now, I pick one room, finish it fully, and shut the door. It sounds silly, but it gives me a little sense of “done,” even if the rest of the house is chaos.
🚸 High-Footfall Areas Come First
The rooms that get the most traffic (and the most mess) are:
- The living room (where toys take over daily)
- The kitchen, because that’s where we eat
- The bathroom (still working on this one 😅)
- The boys’ bedrooms—especially important because we’ve had mice before, and staying on top of food crumbs is essential.
👶 When Do I Clean?
- During naps or nursery/school time
- Sometimes with the kids, if I ask them to help (or distract them with something nearby)
- If it’s been a particularly hard day: after bedtime, headphones in, podcast on, and I just do a reset
I’ve found that the start of the week is our best chance at a clean slate. We usually do a full tidy on Sunday night or Monday morning, then focus on upkeep the rest of the week.
🧼 My Cleaning Philosophy Right Now
Perfection is out of reach, and that’s okay. Our goal isn’t spotless—it’s peaceful. I’ve noticed that when the house is clean:
- The kids play better
- I’m less tense
- My husband and I are more likely to keep it clean too (instead of adding to the mess)
We eat in the kitchen right now, which helps contain the crumbs. If we ever move meals to the dining room, I’ll need a new plan—because two mess zones is a different level of chaos.
✨ A Final Word
This rhythm isn’t ideal or Insta-worthy. But it’s real. It’s repeatable. And it’s helping me care for our home in the season we’re in—no cleaner, no family nearby, and no time to spare.
If you’re in the thick of it too, I hope this reminds you that small habits and clever tools really do add up. Even if it’s only 80% clean, that 80% can bring a huge breath of calm into your day.