🧼 Keeping the House Clean (Even with Kids) – Busy-Mom Hacks

Keeping your home clean with little ones running around feels impossible, but it doesn’t have to be! In this post, I’m sharing real-life mom hacks and must-have Amazon products that actually help busy moms stay ahead of the mess. From robot vacuums to toy organizers and wipeable mats, these tools make cleaning easier, faster, and even fun (yes, really!). Plus, grab a free printable chore chart to get the kids involved. Let’s make “clean-ish” a new standard—without losing our minds.

FROM OLD MOM TO NEW MOM

6/11/20253 min read

Hey there, fellow moms! 👋

Let’s face it: between snack crumbs, toy mayhem, and school projects, keeping a clean house feels like an endless battle. But with a few clever strategies and the right Amazon tools, you can reclaim your time and sanity—while teaching kids to pitch in. I was not so great about having my own kids pitch in with chores. Have them help you!!! Even if it seems like it would take less time for you to do it on their own. They need to learn how to clean and respect their home when they are young.

1. Invest in a Smart Robot Vacuum

Set it, forget it, clean floors automatically. Robot vacuums are game-changers—especially when they self-empty and detect obstacles (hello, LEGO and pet fur!).

2. O-Cedar H2prO Flat Mop System

Keep clean water separate. Compact and light weight design.

Check it out → Amazon link

3. Kid-Sized Cleaning Tools (For Teaching and Helping)

Get your little helpers involved early! They LOVE wielding their own mop or duster.

4. Systematic Toy Storage Bins

Clutter control alert! Use colorful, accessible bins so kids can quickly put away toys.

5. Wipeable Stain-Resistant Floor Mats

Perfect under high-use areas (like craft tables or play zones). A quick wipe gets rid of food stains or paint drips—no deep clean required. I would have loved this when I was living in student housing and our table was over carpet.

Check it out → Amazon link

6. Portable Handheld Vacuum

For cheerios in couch crevices, car mess, or quick corner cleanups—fast suction helps you tackle spots before anyone trips. I wish these were "a thing" when my kids were little!! Huge help!

Check it out → Amazon link

7. Cleaning Caddy

Keep a grab-and-go kit filled with surface wipes, sanitizer, and microfiber rags. Portable and kid-safe for fast counter and door-handle cleanups.

Check it out → Amazon link

8. Doormats Inside & Out

Capture dirt before it hits your floors. A pair of mats cuts down on vacuum and mop runs. They can be cute too!

Check it out → Amazon link

9. Laundry Hampers in Every Room

Kids can drop pajamas, sports gear, or sand-covered clothes without dragging them to laundry day. Less clutter, less sorting. One thing I was good about was making my kids do their own laundry as soon as they were old enough. One less thing I have to worry about and they can't blame me if their laundry didn't get done :).

Check it out → Amazon link

10. Fun “Clean-Up Game” Routine

Make cleanup feel like play: set a timer, race against “morning mess,” or blast a cleanup song. Kids giggle through chores—no meltdown required!

Download my free printable chore chart.

Why These Tools Work for Moms
  • Time-saving tech (robot vacuums!) that run while you focus on kids.

  • Kid-inclusive gear, making cleanup feel natural and fun.

  • Quick, targeted cleaning for real-world messes, not just seasonal deep cleans.

Final Mom Tip

Rotate tasks into a weekly mini routine—vacuum one zone, wipe one area, sort toys—so the mess never gets overwhelming. Share the chores (#MomSquad style) and you’ll keep your home in shape without doing the heavy lifting yourself!

Note: Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog!