A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO CLEAN A PLAYROOM
In parenthood, there are a few things that just make sense for the well-being of you AND your kids. One of these things is having a designated playroom. It’s a safe space where they can explore, create, imagine, and, of course, destroy without overwhelming your main living spaces with clutter.
BUT, every parent knows just how easy it is for this room to become a dirty mountain of toys, art supplies, and general clutter. Sometimes, it can feel like a real mission to keep it clean. But don’t worry, I have some tips to make cleaning a playroom much less daunting!
To be honest, I see a tidy playroom as much more than an aesthetic thing. Tidy playrooms not only teach kids good stewardship skills, but it also helps them identify play opportunities. So, if you want to encourage independent play and respect for toys/objects, a clean playroom is step one! You can see how I tackle a messy playroom in my Messy Playroom Makeover YouTube series. Check it out!
Today, I have put together a super comprehensive guide to help you clean and organize your playroom. Let me help you transform your space into one that inspires play, creativity, and beautiful memories for your little ones:
A Step-by-Step Guide on How To Clean a Playroom
Step 1: Gather Supplies
First things first, you will need some cleaning supplies! I recommend having the following supplies ready and on hand, even if you think you may not need them. As the saying goes, it is better to have it and not need it, than need it, but not have it. And, you’re probably going to uncover some hidden atrocities. (No judgment over 3 week old spilt milk here.)
Grab the following items to get started:
Trash bag
Vacuum cleaner/broom/mop/carpet cleaner (depending on the surface)
Glass cleaner and paper towels
Cloths and rags
Step 2: Define Categories and Remove Toys
I know this sounds a little overwhelming, but to really clean your playroom and keep it that way, you’ll need to remove all the toys. This process will do double-duty, though, because it’ll give you space to clean and give you an opportunity to organize! Before you remove all the toys, use sticky notes to make a spot for each category of toy. That’s where you’ll place each toy when you get it out of that messy playroom.
Step 3: Declutter
Not everything needs to go into one of the defined categories. In fact, some items don’t need to go back in the toy room at all! Add a toss and donate pile to your areas, so you can easily declutter while you clean. (Here are some great places to donate toys.)
Step 4: Clean Storage Spaces
Now that everything is out of the space, start by using multi-surface cleaner inside all the shelves, chests, and drawers. If you have the time/energy, you can also disinfect them to keep the nasty germs away.
Step 5: Dust All Surfaces
Dust all the surfaces in the room including tables, shelves, and other furniture. I prefer to use duster and dusting sponges to clean the surfaces and remove any dirt or sticky spots, but a damp cloth with some dish soap would work too.
Step 6: Tackle the Tough Spots
If you’re cleaning a playroom, you’ll probably uncover some surprises especially on the walls. Here’s how to get colored pencils off walls and here’s how to remove permanent marker from the walls. (Yes, it’s possible!) For random upholstery stains, carpet stains, and more, check out these Instagram highlights for solutions. I’ve seen it all!
Step 7: Clean Toys
For plastic toys, you can wipe them down with a damp cloth or your multi-surface clear. If they don’t need to be cleaned, just use a disinfectant wipe to get rid of any germs lingering on the toy. Soft toys, however, will need to be spot-cleaned or go into a washing machine if they are machine washable. Consider laundering any fabric items such as cushion covers or playroom curtains as well! (We all know how gross those can get.)
Step 8: Clean the Floors
Since all the dust, dirt, and crumbs have been wiped onto the floor from cleaning surfaces, it’s time to clean the floors. For hardwood, sweep and mop. For carpet, vacuum and use a steamer or shampooer if you have one available (usually you can rent them.) Otherwise, you can use a carpet brush and cleaner kit. Even a sprinkle of baking soda over the floor and left to set before vacuuming does wonders for odors and allergens!
Step 9: Set Up Zones
Consider creating different play zones for your little ones based on activities. For example, you could have a reading corner, art station, sensory station, or building area. This further helps your kids recognize play opportunities and keep things tidy!
Step 10: Organize Toys
Now the fun begins! Group similar toys together if you haven’t already, and store them in baskets, bins, or drawers with clear labels. This makes it much easier for your kiddos to find the toys and put them away again. For more tips on the organization side of things, check out my guide for how to organize a playroom!
Step 11: Establish a Routine
Setting up routines for your little ones early on can set them up for success (and give you fewer headaches.) Encourage your kids to participate in cleanup after they have enjoyed their playtime. You can make this a daily or weekly cleanup routine that helps to maintain a clean and organized playroom.
Step 12: Set Rules
Setting rules is the KEY to keeping the playroom organized. Consider some of these rule:
If you play with toys, put them back when you’re finished with them.
Play with one or two toys at a time.
Ask for permission before taking out specific toys. (Play-doh, kinetic sand, paint, etc.)
Keep art supplies on approved surfaces only.
Show toys you love them by playing with them correctly and treating them nicely.
These are just examples and they will vary GREATLY depending on your individual parenting style! You could even offer a reward system when your little ones successfully maintaining their playroom! Keeping set rules and a cleaning routine in the playroom can also help alleviate tantrums when it is time to tidy up!
How To Organize A Playroom
Set Clear Zones
Divide the room by function to make things as easy as possible. A reading nook, building area, art table, or sensory station helps kids immediately understand how to use the space. When everything has a purpose, it naturally reduces chaos and encourages independent play!
Use Kid-Friendly Furniture
Low shelves, open bins, and reachable hooks make it SO much easier for children to grab what they need and, more importantly, put it back. If they can’t reach it, they won’t reset it.
Rotate Toys Often
For children especially, too many choices can be overwhelming. It’s a good idea to store some toys away and swap them every few weeks. This keeps the room fresh and exciting without adding more clutter.
Label Everything
Labeling everything is super handy! You can use words, pictures, or both, because labels make cleanup super simple. Less confusion will make tidying so much faster
Prioritise Open Space
Make an effort to keep areas of the floor empty. Kids need room to build, tumble, and spread out their imagination. Not every inch of your space needs a bin or shelf.
How To Organise Kids Toys
Group Items Together
Keep cars with cars, dolls with dolls, blocks with blocks. Mixing categories makes finding and returning items SO much harder, and can confuse kids into not cleaning up. Simple groupings = smoother cleanup.
Choose Good Containers
Puzzles do much better in flat drawers, while dress-ups are more suited to sitting on hooks, and tiny pieces need sealed bins. Match the storage to the toy, not the other way around.
Prioritise Favorites
You’ll want to keep the most used toys ate eye-level to keep everything accessible. Then, the less popular items can live higher up or in rotation storage.
Donate or Toss Items
If it’s missing pieces, hasn’t been touched in months, or no longer matches your child’s age, it’s probably time. Having less toys around can make the room so much more accessible.
Teach the Reset Habit
After playtime is finished, teach your little ones to return toys to their homes before moving on. This small daily action prevents overwhelming messes from building up. It also teaches your children valuable life skills that will follow them as they grow!
Cleaning a playroom can be overwhelming, but make it more manageable by breaking it into steps!
By following these helpful steps, you can keep a clean and organized playroom, creating a more enjoyable and functional space for your little ones. You can find more parenting hacks, cleaning tips, and organization advice on the Mothercould blog! You may even specifically need my blogs about how to clean permanent marker and how to teach your child to clean up after themselves.
Once you get maintaining a playroom down, you can confidently start adding more potentially messy sensory play into your playtime routine. Your kids will love the new experience and you’ll love how it benefits their development. For all the best sensory activities, download the Mothercould in Your Pocket Resource! It has plenty to get you started.
