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Cleaning and Organization
Sarah Baeumler's Five Minutes to Clean: Conquering Kids' Shelves
November 8, 2017
Cleaning and tidying toy shelves is one of those jobs that always gets put off until the next day. We become blind to the clutter, and despite our best efforts to teach responsibility, kids aren't always the most helpful at tidying up their toys. But with just five minutes, you can work wonders on cleaning and organizing kids' shelves. See how I do it!
Sarah Baeumler's passion for design led her to join husband Bryan Baeumler on the front lines of his real estate and renovations business. She stars in Home to Win, and co-hosts Bryan Inc. alongside Bryan.
Cleaning and Organization
Sarah Baeumler's Five Minutes to Clean: Conquering Kids' Shelves
November 8, 2017
Cleaning and tidying toy shelves is one of those jobs that always gets put off until the next day. We become blind to the clutter, and despite our best efforts to teach responsibility, kids aren't always the most helpful at tidying up their toys. But with just five minutes, you can work wonders on cleaning and organizing kids' shelves. See how I do it! Sarah Baeumler's passion for design led her to join husband Bryan Baeumler on the front lines of his real estate and renovations business. She stars in Home to Win, and co-hosts Bryan Inc. alongside Bryan.
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Be Prepared: Gather Your Cleaning Tools
1/6Be Prepared: Gather Your Cleaning Tools
1/6Photo Credit: Getty Images
Before facing the job, grab the products you’ll need to get it done properly, like a duster, surface cleaner, and a cloth. If you’re working with tall shelves, make sure to have a step ladder handy. Just because you can’t see the dust, doesn’t mean it’s not there, and finishing half the job will never leave you fully satisfied.Cleaning and OrganizationSarah Baeumler's Five Minutes to Clean: Conquering Kids' ShelvesBe Prepared: Gather Your Cleaning Tools
PHOTO 1 of 6READ LESS -Before facing the job, grab the products you’ll need to get it done properly, like a duster, surface cleaner, and a cloth. If you’re working with tall shelves, make sure to have a step ladder handy. Just because you can’t see the dust, doesn’t mean it’s not there, and finishing half the job will never leave you fully satisfied.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Minute One: Sort Clutter into Storage Baskets
2/6Minute One: Sort Clutter into Storage Baskets
2/6Photo Credit: Getty Images
I have cleaned and organized many shelves in my day, and I know the ultimate secret weapon to organizing clutter is utilizing storage baskets, especially when it comes to kid’s toys. Label baskets for specific items (arts and crafts, stuffed animals, toy cars, etc.) or by your children’s names, so they can help to organize their toys. Spend the first minute of your five-minute cleaning project by quickly tossing toys from the floor and shelves into their respective baskets.Cleaning and OrganizationSarah Baeumler's Five Minutes to Clean: Conquering Kids' ShelvesMinute One: Sort Clutter into Storage Baskets
PHOTO 2 of 6READ LESS -I have cleaned and organized many shelves in my day, and I know the ultimate secret weapon to organizing clutter is utilizing storage baskets, especially when it comes to kid’s toys. Label baskets for specific items (arts and crafts, stuffed animals, toy cars, etc.) or by your children’s names, so they can help to organize their toys. Spend the first minute of your five-minute cleaning project by quickly tossing toys from the floor and shelves into their respective baskets.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Minute Two: Dust and Clean One Shelf at a Time
3/6Minute Two: Dust and Clean One Shelf at a Time
3/6Photo Credit: Jarrett Ford Photography
Even though your instinct might push you to clear all of your shelves to start, cleaning on a time crunch requires strategic steps. Instead, go shelf by shelf, removing baskets and items, dusting, wiping with surface cleaner, and then replacing the items. I suggest starting from the top and working your way down, that way any dust that falls onto shelves below it will be swept up as you continue your way down.Cleaning and OrganizationSarah Baeumler's Five Minutes to Clean: Conquering Kids' ShelvesMinute Two: Dust and Clean One Shelf at a Time
PHOTO 3 of 6READ LESS -Even though your instinct might push you to clear all of your shelves to start, cleaning on a time crunch requires strategic steps. Instead, go shelf by shelf, removing baskets and items, dusting, wiping with surface cleaner, and then replacing the items. I suggest starting from the top and working your way down, that way any dust that falls onto shelves below it will be swept up as you continue your way down.Photo Credit: Jarrett Ford Photography
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Minute Three: Wipe Down Decorative Items
4/6Minute Three: Wipe Down Decorative Items
4/6Photo Credit: Getty Images
As you replace items on the shelf, give them a quick wipe down with your cleaning cloth. Kids’ toys are a whole different breed of clutter, and sticky fingers can leave toys looking less than sparkling.Cleaning and OrganizationSarah Baeumler's Five Minutes to Clean: Conquering Kids' ShelvesMinute Three: Wipe Down Decorative Items
PHOTO 4 of 6READ LESS -As you replace items on the shelf, give them a quick wipe down with your cleaning cloth. Kids’ toys are a whole different breed of clutter, and sticky fingers can leave toys looking less than sparkling.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Minute Four: Group Like Items and Replace Baskets
5/6Minute Four: Group Like Items and Replace Baskets
5/6Photo Credit: Jarrett Ford Photography
For organization’s sake, as you replace your baskets and items on the shelves, group bigger like items, that won’t fit in the basket, all together. This will create a more uniform to look to your shelves.Cleaning and OrganizationSarah Baeumler's Five Minutes to Clean: Conquering Kids' ShelvesMinute Four: Group Like Items and Replace Baskets
PHOTO 5 of 6READ LESS -For organization’s sake, as you replace your baskets and items on the shelves, group bigger like items, that won’t fit in the basket, all together. This will create a more uniform to look to your shelves.Photo Credit: Jarrett Ford Photography
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Minute Five: Style a Few Special Items
6/6Minute Five: Style a Few Special Items
6/6Photo Credit: Jarrett Ford Photography
In your last minute tidying kids’ shelves, take a few of your kids’ favourite toys and arrange them in front of baskets to make your shelves look a little more styled. Create empty space around decorative toys so they look more like décor. True, it may only last until school lets out, but at least you can savour the beauty of your organized shelves until the clock strikes 3:30.Cleaning and OrganizationSarah Baeumler's Five Minutes to Clean: Conquering Kids' ShelvesMinute Five: Style a Few Special Items
PHOTO 6 of 6READ LESS -In your last minute tidying kids’ shelves, take a few of your kids’ favourite toys and arrange them in front of baskets to make your shelves look a little more styled. Create empty space around decorative toys so they look more like décor. True, it may only last until school lets out, but at least you can savour the beauty of your organized shelves until the clock strikes 3:30.Photo Credit: Jarrett Ford Photography
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