Tag Archive for: Home Cleaning Tips

Age-Appropriate Chores for Children: A Simple Guide for Parents

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Giving children small jobs around the home can help them learn practical skills and understand that everyone can contribute to family life. The tricky part is choosing which jobs are suitable at each stage. Our age-appropriate chores for children guide gives you some ideas to get started, from putting toys away to helping with laundry and meal preparation.

Every child develops at a different pace, so use the ages as a guide rather than a strict rule. Always supervise new tasks and keep cleaning products, laundry capsules and other household chemicals safely out of children’s reach.

What Chores Are Appropriate for Children?

The best chores are simple, safe and achievable for your child.

Younger children can start by looking after their own belongings. As they get older, they can gradually take on more household tasks and learn skills they will use throughout adult life.

Here are some age-appropriate chores for children to consider.

Chores for Children Aged 2 to 3

At this age, keep jobs very simple and turn them into part of everyday play.

They could:

  • Put toys back in a basket
  • Place clothes in the laundry basket
  • Help put non-breakable items on the table
  • Put rubbish in the bin when asked
  • Match pairs of socks

Merry Maids tip

Toddlers often love imitating adults. Assign them a small task and complete it as a team. Offering lots of encouragement is more important than perfection.

Chores for Children Aged 4 to 5

Children at this age can start taking more responsibility for their own things.

They could:

  • Put toys and books away
  • Help make their bed
  • Set and clear non-breakable items from the table
  • Choose clothes for the following day
  • Fold simple items such as towels
  • Use a small brush and dustpan with supervision

Merry Maids tip

Give one instruction at a time. You could also turn tidying into a game. For example, mark out a small square on a hard floor with masking tape and challenge them to sweep crumbs into it.

Chores for Children Aged 6 to 7

As confidence grows, children can start helping with simple household routines.

They could:

  • Put away clean, safe cutlery
  • Tidy their bedroom
  • Make their bed
  • Sort laundry by colour
  • Help load or unload the washing machine
  • Fold towels
  • Dust easy-to-reach surfaces with a dry cloth

Avoid asking children to handle cleaning chemicals. An adult can handle products while children help with safer parts of the job.

Merry Maids tip

Recognition is highly effective. Rather than fixing every minor error, acknowledge their effort and guide them on how to improve in the future.

Chores for Children Aged 8 to 9

At this age, children may be ready for jobs that require a little more independence.

They could:

  • Help prepare simple meals with adult supervision
  • Vacuum clear floor areas
  • Dust furniture
  • Feed pets
  • Fold and put away clothes
  • Empty small household bins
  • Help change their bedding

Pet care should still suit the animal and the child. For example, walking a large or excitable dog may not be suitable.

Merry Maids tip

Giving children responsibility for a regular task can help make it part of their routine. Keep the expectation clear and manageable.

Chores for Children Aged 10 to 12

Older primary school children can begin learning more of the skills they will eventually need to manage a home.

They could:

  • Sort, load and fold laundry
  • Change their bedding
  • Wash dishes or load the dishwasher
  • Prepare simple food with supervision
  • Vacuum rooms
  • Help tidy the kitchen after meals
  • Complete simple gardening jobs

Hot appliances, sharp equipment and strong cleaning products still require appropriate adult supervision.

Merry Maids tip

A weekly chore chart can make responsibilities clear. Rewards can help too, whether that means pocket money, choosing a family activity, or earning extra screen time.

Chores for Teenagers Aged 13 and Over

Teenagers can gradually take responsibility for more complete household tasks, depending on their maturity and experience.

They could:

  • Prepare simple meals
  • Change and wash bedding
  • Clean their bedroom
  • Vacuum and mop floors
  • Help clean the fridge
  • Do laundry from start to finish
  • Help with bathroom cleaning using suitable products and guidance

This is also a good age to teach practical skills such as reading laundry labels, following product instructions and recognising which materials require different cleaning methods.

Merry Maids tip

Teenagers still benefit from recognition. Thank them for contributing rather than treating every job as something that simply goes unnoticed.

Should Children Use Cleaning Products?

Young children should not handle household cleaning products.

Instead, choose tasks that do not require any cleaning products, such as tidying toys, sorting laundry or dusting with a dry cloth.

As children get older, parents and carers can decide when they are ready to learn to use suitable household products safely. Supervision, clear instructions and adherence to product labels remain important.

Never encourage children to mix cleaning products.

How Do You Encourage Children to Do Chores?

The easiest way is to keep chores realistic and consistent.

Try:

  • Giving one clear task at a time
  • Matching jobs to your child’s abilities
  • Using a simple chore chart
  • Letting children choose between two suitable jobs
  • Praising effort rather than expecting perfection
  • Doing new tasks together before asking them to try alone

If a job proves too difficult, change it. The aim is to build confidence and useful skills, not to turn housework into an argument.

Make More Time for Family With Merry Maids

Getting children involved can teach useful habits, but that does not mean your family needs to spend its free time cleaning.

Our local teams can take care of regular or one-off cleaning, leaving you more time for family life.

Looking for another way to make cleaning more enjoyable for younger children? Read our guide to fun cleaning games with kids.

Or find your nearest Merry Maids business or book a clean online today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chores can a 5-year-old do?

Many five-year-olds can put toys away, help set the table, fold simple towels, choose their clothes and help tidy their bedroom.

What chores can a 7-year-old do?

Depending on the child, suitable jobs may include making the bed, sorting laundry, folding towels, dusting with a dry cloth and helping load the washing machine.

At what age should children start doing chores?

Children can begin helping with very simple household jobs from around two or three years old. Tasks should always suit their individual development and be supervised where necessary.

Should children clean bathrooms?

Older children and teenagers may be able to help with some bathroom jobs. Parents should consider the products involved, the child’s maturity and whether supervision is needed.

Are chores good for children?

Household chores give children opportunities to practise practical skills, contribute to family routines and gradually take responsibility for their own belongings and spaces.

 

 

How to Prepare Your Home for the End of Summer

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Summer puts your home through a lot. Open doors, garden outings, holidays, guests, and busy family life can leave some areas needing extra care.

As the season changes, it’s a great time to reset. Getting your home ready for the end of summer helps clear away signs of a busy few months and makes the shift to autumn smoother.

You don’t need to do a full spring clean. Just focus on the areas that got the most use this summer.

What should you clean at the end of summer?

Begin with the spaces that saw the most activity. Entrances, kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms are good starting points.

Vacuum or mop the floors well, wipe down surfaces you touch often, and check spots you might usually miss.

Don’t forget skirting boards, behind doors, and under furniture. Giving these areas a bit more attention now means a cleaner start to autumn.

Reset the hallway

The entrance to your home often gets cluttered during summer.

Shoes, picnic bags, and outdoor gear can pile up over time. Before coats and rain boots come back, clear out anything you don’t need anymore.

Clean the mats, wipe down the doors, and give the floor a good clean. A tidy hallway makes getting back into autumn routines feel easier.

Give the kitchen a post-summer reset

Barbecues, family meals, and school holidays can make your kitchen especially busy over the summer.

Start with the fridge. Check expiry dates, throw out anything you don’t need, and wipe down the shelves and drawers.

Then focus on:

  • Cupboard fronts
  • Handles
  • Splashbacks
  • Worktops
  • Areas around appliances

It’s also a good idea to clean the kitchen bin. Washing and drying it well can make the whole room feel fresher.

Refresh sofas and soft furnishings

Your sofa probably saw family evenings, guests, and lazy summer afternoons.

Vacuum your upholstered furniture, including under the cushions. Wash any removable covers and throws as their labels suggest, and give rugs a good vacuum too.

Curtains, cushions, and other fabrics collect dust too, so the end of summer is a great time to freshen them up.

Clean around windows

Having the windows open is one of the best things about summer, but it can also let in dust, pollen, and outdoor debris.

Wipe down the window sills and frames, and clean the glass while you’re at it.

As the days get shorter, clean windows help you make the most of the natural light.

Check bathrooms and moisture-prone areas

As the weather cools down, check bathrooms, window frames, and other spots where condensation can show up.

Clean all surfaces well and make sure vents and airways are clear.

If you spot ongoing damp or mould, try to fix the cause instead of just cleaning what you see.

Reset bedrooms after holidays and visitors

If friends or family stayed over the summer, now’s a good time to get guest rooms back to normal.

Wash the bedding and towels, vacuum well, and clear out anything left behind.

This is also a good time to wash lighter summer bedding before storing it, and to clean under beds or furniture.

Do you need to deep clean the whole home?

No. Getting your home ready for the end of summer doesn’t mean cleaning every cupboard and corner.

Focus on the areas you’ve actually used most.

If your floors got a lot of use, spend extra time there. If you had guests often, focus on the kitchen and living room.

This approach makes the job easier than trying to follow a long checklist.

When should you prepare your home for autumn?

Late August or early September is a natural time to start.

You don’t have to wait until it really feels like autumn. Getting a few things done before routines change means less to worry about when September gets busy.

How Merry Maids can help

If summer has been hectic, you probably don’t want to spend your last weekends catching up on housework.

Merry Maids can help you get your home ready for the end of summer, so you don’t have to do it all yourself. Whether you need a one-time clean after a busy summer or regular help to keep things tidy, our trained teams can handle the housework for you.

You’ll have a clean, comfortable home ready for autumn—and more time to enjoy the rest of summer.

Find your nearest Merry Maids, or book online today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I clean at the end of summer?

Focus on high-traffic floors, entrances, kitchens, bathrooms, soft furnishings, windows, and any rooms used by summer guests.

Do I need an end-of-summer deep clean?

Not always. Just focus on the areas that got the most use and any chores that built up over summer.

How can I get my home ready for autumn?

Clear out summer clutter, freshen up busy rooms, clean soft furnishings, and set up a regular cleaning routine before autumn starts.

Can Merry Maids help with an end-of-summer clean?

Yes. Merry Maids offers professional cleaning services to help refresh your home after summer and keep it clean as your routines change.

 

The Jobs You Keep Putting Off at Home (And Why Now Is the Time to Do Them)

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Every home has tasks you notice but postpone, the jobs you keep putting off, not urgent enough to tackle today, yet always lingering in your mind.

By the end of May, small tasks tend to accumulate. With summer approaching, it’s an ideal time to finally tackle and clear them.

Why we avoid certain jobs

Some tasks are easy to overlook because they often take longer than expected, feel awkward, or just don’t fit into a busy schedule.

Common ones include:

  • Cleaning behind furniture
  • Wiping skirting boards
  • Deep cleaning the kitchen
  • Tackling bathrooms properly
  • Clearing cluttered cupboards

These tasks are straightforward, but they require time and effort, leading to delays.

Why they matter more than you think

Although these tasks are often unseen, they influence the overall feel of your home. Dust accumulates, surfaces become dull, and clutter gradually grows.

When these jobs are done, the difference is noticeable. Rooms feel lighter, cleaner, and easier to manage.

Why the end of May is the right time

By now, you’ve either completed your spring cleaning or haven’t finished it. Meanwhile, your summer plans are beginning to take shape on your calendar.

Dealing with these jobs now means:

  • You avoid carrying them into summer
  • Your home feels ready for busier months
  • You do not spend your free time catching up later

It’s a natural point to reset before everything speeds up.

You don’t have to do it all yourself

These are often the jobs that take the most time. They require more effort than a quick clean, which is why they are left until last.

This is where professional cleaning can make a real difference.

Merry Maids home cleaning services can handle tasks you’ve been postponing. Whether it’s deep cleaning kitchens and bathrooms or addressing overlooked areas, our teams help reset your home efficiently.

A clean slate for the months ahead

Once these tasks are completed, everything becomes simpler. Regular cleaning requires less effort, making your home feel more manageable on a daily basis.

More importantly, you get your time back. Instead of thinking about what still needs to be done, you can focus on enjoying your summer.

If you have been putting off those bigger jobs, now is the time to deal with them.

Life, made possible by Merry Maids. Find your nearest Merry Maids business to book a clean online or call 0800 021 3072 today.