Spring Break Survival Guide: Keeping the House Clean While the Kids Are Home

     Spring break is a time for kids to unwind, enjoy some freedom, and create fun memories. For parents, however, it often means extra messes, cluttered spaces, and an ongoing battle to keep the house in order. Whether you have energetic little ones running around or teenagers lounging in every room, maintaining a clean home while still enjoying the break is possible—with the right strategies!

In this Spring Break Survival Guide, we’ll share practical cleaning tips, organizational hacks, and easy ways to get the whole family involved in keeping your space tidy. Plus, we’ll highlight a few Catena-Clean products to make the process even easier!

1. Set Up a ‘Spring Break Cleanup Challenge’

     Make cleaning a game by setting up fun daily challenges. Offer small rewards for completed tasks, like extra screen time, a special treat, or getting to pick a family activity. A few ideas:

• Speed Cleaning Showdown: Who can clean up their toys, books, or room the fastest?
• Music Cleaning Time: Put on a fun playlist and clean until the song ends.
• Chore Bingo: Create a bingo board with tasks like “wipe down kitchen counters” or “vacuum the living room.”

This approach keeps kids engaged and helps prevent messes from piling up.

2. Keep the Bathroom Fresh & Ready for Guests

     With more people home all day, the bathroom quickly becomes one of the busiest (and messiest) places in the house. Between toothpaste in the sink, wet towels on the floor, and mystery spills, it’s easy for things to get out of hand.

To keep it fresh:

• Stock up on pre-moistened cleaning wipes for quick sink and counter cleanups.
• Use a daily shower spray to prevent soap scum buildup.
• Refresh the bathroom with a light, pleasant scent.

Try Catena-Clean Rose Foaming Bathroom Cleaner (Shop on Amazon), which tackles grime, soap scum, and hard water stains while leaving behind a soft floral scent. If you prefer a fragrance-free option, the Catena-Clean Unscented Bathroom Cleaner (Shop on Amazon) delivers the same powerful clean without any added fragrance.

With multiple scent options available, you can choose the perfect fit for your home!

3. Keep the Kitchen Functional & Mess-Free

     Spring break often means more meals, more snacks, and more dishes. Instead of letting kitchen chaos take over, try these simple tricks:

• Create a snack station. Set up a designated space in the fridge and pantry with easy-to-grab snacks to prevent a pile-up of dishes from multiple snack breaks.
• Enforce a “clean as you go” rule. Encourage everyone to rinse their own dishes and wipe down counters after cooking or eating.
• Tackle sticky spills quickly. A multipurpose cleaner like any of Catena-Clean's All-Purpose Spray (Shop on Amazon) makes it easy to wipe down kitchen surfaces between meals.

4. Set Up a Daily Declutter Routine

     Spring break can make it feel like your home is in a constant state of disarray—toys on the floor, blankets draped over every couch, and school supplies scattered around. The key to maintaining order is a simple daily decluttering routine:

• Morning reset: Make beds, put away pajamas, and clear breakfast dishes.
• Midday refresh: Have kids tidy their play areas, put away any used crafts, or organize their study spaces.
• Evening wind-down: A quick 10-minute cleanup before bedtime keeps things from getting overwhelming.

Even teens can get involved by keeping their rooms tidy and helping reset common areas.

5. Use Spring Cleaning as a Fun Family Activity

     Spring break is a great time to tackle seasonal cleaning tasks together. Assign everyone a job, set a timer, and turn up the music! Some easy ways to get the whole family involved:

• Swap out winter clothes for spring wardrobes. Have kids help fold and organize.
• Wipe down baseboards, doors, and light switches.
• Sort through old toys, books, and clothes to donate.

By making cleaning part of family time, it doesn’t feel like such a chore!

Enjoy a Clean & Fun Spring Break!

     Spring break doesn’t have to mean a messy home. With a little planning, some teamwork, and the right Catena-Clean products (Shop on Amazon), you can keep your house fresh, organized, and ready for guests—without missing out on the fun.

👉 What’s your go-to cleaning trick for keeping things under control during school breaks? Share in the comments!