Children are dirty. That’s a part of life. When you were a kid, you were dirty, too, and you didn’t even realize it.
As adults, we are more aware of what germs are lurking on the floor or in our bathroom sinks, and we’ve already lived enough to be grossed out by unwashed sheets and old towels. But when you’re a child, you don’t know all of those things yet. And while a lot of kids know how to pick up after themselves, they don’t know how to keep things truly clean.
That said, here are some of the dirtiest things in your child’s bedroom that needs some extra attention during your cleaning session:
1. Carpet
Crumbs, juice, dirt, boogers, hair, spittle; your child’s carpet likely has all of these nasty things and more. But unfortunately, no amount of vacuuming will get rid of all of them. Now, think about how many times your child touches the carpet, lays on it, or rubs their faces all over it. If you can’t stand that idea, it’s high time to call the carpet cleaning professionals to deep clean your carpet.
2. Toys
When was the last time you cleaned your child’s toys? Have you ever even cleaned them after they got taken out of the box? Most parents don’t even think about cleaning toys unless they get visibly dirty. But imagine how many germs are on those little trucks, dolls, and board games from your child’s germ-filled hands. Imagine how many times your child took those toys on a trip or in the backyard. Do you bother to clean them from time to time?
If not, don’t worry. A lot of parents aren’t even aware of the need to clean toys because they didn’t grow up having to clean toys either. It’s not too late though. Every once in a while, dump all of your child’s plastic toys in a bathtub full of water and cleaning solution. For dolls and stuffed animals, a cycle in the washer should get them clean again.
3. Windows
If your child can reach the window, best believe they’ve pressed their face upon it or at least smeared their fingers over the glass. Wipe it down with some glass cleaner solution to get rid of the smudges, spit, and any sticky residue that your child may have left on it.
4. Bed
Most children don’t care about keeping their beds hygienic, which is why they step on their sheets with dirty socks, let crumbs fall on the bed, and place their dirty toys on top of their pillows. Oh, and let’s not forget about the boogers and snot that end up everywhere because kids can’t be bothered to use tissue yet.
To keep your child’s bed as clean as it can be, make it a point to wash their beddings at least once a week. Some may argue that twice a week is enough, but if you consider all the dirt, germs, and bodily fluids that end up in a child’s bed, once a week is the best way to go.
5. Trash can
A trash can is bound to be dirty, yes, but some kids take it to the next level. Sometimes, you may find things that do not belong in a bedroom trash can, such as rotting food, poopy underwear, ant-filled juice boxes, and various unknown substances. That said, it’s best to have a rule of no food or drinks in the bedrooms, and to empty out your kids’ trash cans at least twice a week. If they are old enough, have them do it themselves.
6. Doorknobs, handles, switches
A lot of children aren’t too keen about washing their hands, which is why the doorknobs, handles, cabinet pulls, and switches in your child’s bedroom are bound to be riddled with germs. These germs can be pathogenic, which is why it is crucial that you wipe these things down with a disinfectant at least once every two weeks (or every few days if they are sick).
7. Game controllers
Similar to doorknobs and toys, game controllers also experience frequent touching. And if your child eats while gaming, there are bound to be food particles and sticky soda residue on that controller. Make your child wipe their controllers down every week or after every game if they ate with their hands while playing.
Keeping a child’s room clean can sometimes feel like an impossible task. However, there are more things that you have to worry about than a disorganized toybox. Now that you know some of the dirtiest parts of your child’s room, you can better protect them against potential illnesses through a more thorough deep cleaning.
