Keep Your Home Tidy and Healthy: Tips for Big Families to Keep It All Together

Keeping a home organized and healthy is a challenge for anyone, but with a big family, it can feel like an ongoing battle. Between school projects, laundry, meal prep, and everything in between, the clutter and mess can build up fast.

However, creating a clean and organized environment is possible with a few well-planned strategies. Let’s explore a handful of essential tips for maintaining a tidy, healthy home, even when you’ve got a full house.

Keep Your Entryway From Becoming a Chaos Zone

The entryway is the first area of your home that everyone walks through, and with a big family, it can quickly become a catch-all for shoes, bags, jackets, and who knows what else.

Keeping this space neat not only makes your home look better but also helps cut down on dirt and clutter that would otherwise make its way inside. Start by setting up a system of entryway essentials designed to organize the flow of items in and out of the house.

Consider adding a few hooks for coats, bags, and hats, as well as sturdy shoe storage cabinets to keep the floor clear. For those little things like keys, mail, or even reusable masks, a small tray or wall-mounted organizer can work wonders.

When everything has a designated spot, you’ll avoid the piles and scramble of things that otherwise get dumped by the door.

How to Keep Up With the Laundry

Laundry can feel like an endless cycle, especially with a big family, but the key to staying on top of it is efficiency. You may want to invest in a commercial washer and dryer, as these machines are built for large loads and heavy use.

A commercial washer and dryer cuts down on the time spent doing laundry by allowing you to handle larger loads at once, which can be transformative for busy families.

Create a system that encourages everyone to participate, from gathering dirty laundry to folding and putting it away. Consider a family laundry schedule or designate a specific day for each family member to handle their own.

With the right equipment and a bit of coordination, you’ll find that laundry doesn’t have to be a constant headache.

Keep the Kitchen Clean and Healthy

With a big family, the kitchen is one of the busiest areas of the house. Between meal prep, snacking, and gathering around the table, it’s a space that needs frequent cleaning.

One of the best ways to keep your kitchen organized is to simplify where items are stored, so that everything has a home and cleanup is easier.

Designate cabinets for specific items—one for snacks, another for cookware, and perhaps a drawer dedicated to school lunch supplies. Having zones within your kitchen makes it simpler for everyone to find what they need and put things back where they belong.

Don’t forget the importance of sanitizing surfaces, especially after meal prep or school lunch prep. Wiping down counters and cleaning kitchen tools regularly cuts down on germs and keeps the kitchen feeling fresh.

Manage the Bathrooms When Everyone Needs Them

Bathrooms can be a hotspot for clutter and mess, especially with multiple family members sharing the space. Keeping the bathroom clean and organized means setting some ground rules for storage and cleaning routines.

Start by designating areas for each person’s items to avoid counter clutter—small bins, baskets, or drawer organizers are great for this. Encourage everyone to put things back where they belong, from toothbrushes to hair products, so the counters remain clear.

Having a daily bathroom cleaning routine can make a huge difference. A quick wipe-down of counters, sinks, and mirrors each day keeps the space looking clean and feeling fresh.

Manage Clutter in Shared Living Spaces

Shared spaces, like the living room or family room, can quickly become crowded with toys, books, and personal items. One of the best ways to manage this is by creating storage solutions that blend seamlessly into the room’s decor.

Think of coffee tables with storage compartments, baskets for toys, or shelves for books. When everyone knows where items belong, it becomes easier to keep the living area tidy.

Consider a quick end-of-day routine where everyone pitches in to straighten up the shared spaces. Encourage each family member to put away anything they used during the day, so you start each morning with a clean slate.

Regularly declutter these areas as well, donating or storing items that are no longer frequently used. This way, your family has a functional, comfortable space to relax without feeling like they’re surrounded by a sea of stuff.