Spring-Cleaning With The Kids: An Age-By-Age Guide

It’s that time of year again for that BIG clean, and you don’t have to do it alone! Getting the kids involved in spring-cleaning isn’t purely self-serving; it can also be a great way to teach them responsibility, teamwork, organisational skills, and the importance of maintaining a clean living space. Furthermore, a study by La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia found that children who do chores regularly tend to have better academic results and problem-solving skills.

But before you throw junior in the deep end of things (you wouldn't trust young kids with delicate laundry or toilet scrubbing), have a think about matching your spring-cleaning needs with your kids' abilities and temperament. To help you along, here are some age-appropriate tasks and tips to help manage expectations and make spring-cleaning pleasant for kids and adults alike.

Toddlers - Ages one to three

Toddlers love helping out, though realistically they're neither clean nor efficient with their tasks. The point isn't perfection however. Spring-cleaning is an opportune time to help them acquire some positive habits and pick up some life skills.

Tasks they can do:

• Toy sorting: Kids at this age can categorise toys and put them in designated bins. They can also sort toys by colour or type - like plushies go in one box while toy cars go in another.
• Laundry sorting: Get them to pick matching socks from the clean laundry pile or put wrinkled clothing away to be ironed.
• Dusting: Using a small, child-friendly duster, they can dust surfaces within their reach.
• Wiping: Give them a damp cloth and they can help to wipe down baseboards or low furniture, as well as large toys.

Tip: Keep tasks short and simple, and use positive reinforcement to encourage them, such as stickers or praise. Safety is naturally important at this age, so do not let them handle cleaning products or electrical appliances. 

Preschoolers - Ages four to five

Preschoolers in this group enjoy helping out and feeling useful, and are even capable of doing some chores without close supervision. 

Tasks they can do:

• Closet spring-clean: Preschoolers can have strong opinions about what they like (or do not like) to wear. Have them declutter their wardrobe by setting their favourite pieces on one side and removing pieces they have outgrown.
• Making the bed: Depending on their size and strength, they may be able to help with linen changing or folding the blanket. This exposes them to the idea of bed hygiene and how to keep their sleep environments clean.
• Gardening: Preschoolers can water plants - let them handle the hardier ones - with supervision. They get to develop an appreciation of botany in the process.
• Dishes: They can help put away clean dishes in the kitchen cabinets or load the dishwasher with dirty ones.

Tip: Consider gamifying chores to keep things fun. For example, you can all compete to see who declutters the fastest or has the neatest wardrobe after the task.

Early primary schoolers - Ages six to eight

Children in this age group are more coordinated and can take instructions better, so you can challenge them with slightly more difficult jobs.

Tasks they can do:

• Room organisation: Get them to designate spaces, drawers and boxes for different items like stationery, books and toys. This helps them develop advanced organisational skills. Avoid the urge to jump in with barking orders on what goes where. Rather, encourage them to think about a room set-up that suits their needs.
• Sweeping and mopping: They may not do a perfect job yet, but every bit of practice will do them (and you) long-term good.
• Folding the laundry: Many of them are now able to fold small items like washcloths and underwear, or matching socks.
• Trash and toilets: They can empty the bins and take out the trash, and even help in bathroom cleaning like scrubbing the sinks and counter tops.

Tip: Set a timer for short bursts of focused cleaning so the task doesn’t get too overwhelming. At this point, it will also do them good if you explain the importance of teamwork and how it benefits everyone.   

Bigger kids and tweens - Ages nine to 12

Tweens may not love housework or spring-cleaning but they do enjoy autonomy. Give these kids a project they deem exciting and can gain mastery in.

Tasks they can do:

• Vacuuming: The vacuum cleaner is one device you will be happy to pass to your big kids anytime. Show them the various settings, lay down any safety rules and watch them do the actual job of sucking away dust and dirt.
• Room and closet decluttering: Make this a meaningful task by encouraging them to donate unused or pre-loved items in good condition. With your supervision, they can use apps like Olio to post and give items away or Carousell for selling things.
• Do the laundry: Operating the washing machine should be a breeze for them, though you should make sure not to let them handle your delicate clothes at the beginning. After the cycle is done, they can hang the clothes on the drying line.

Tip: It's good to give them something to look forward to like the prospect of making money from selling pre-loved items or enjoying the autonomy to re-position the furniture in their room.

Teens - Ages 13 to 15

Secondary school-age students can be busy and tired out with school and extracurricular activities. Make sure they are well-rested and give them bite-sized tasks that they can fit within their routine - this is also an opportunity for them to learn time management.

Tasks they can do:

• Deep cleaning: Teens have the observation skills and concentration ability to do a little more thorough work on the nooks and crannies now. Show them the overlooked areas where you’d like them to clean and they should do a satisfactory job. This encourages attention to detail. 
• Storage clean-up: They can help you sort, resort or organise new or existing items in storage areas such as the storeroom or garage. 
• Car wash: Teens are a great help for washing or vacuuming and wiping down the interior of your vehicle. If you take the time to show them, car polishing is also a manageable task at this age.  

Tip: With this group, allowing them to choose their tasks will go a long way towards ensuring their willing participation.

Older teens - Ages 16 and above

Teens may rather be hanging out with their pals. But when they are home, they can take care of more tedious or advanced "assignments".

Tasks they can do:

• Home repairs: Got a couple of light bulbs that need replacing? A room or two in need of a paint job? Your teen is the perfect helper for these DIY mini projects.
• Appliance cleaning and maintenance: Teach them how to clean home appliances such as ovens, microwaves, refrigerators and air purifier filters. All this practical knowledge helps prepare them for their next stage in life - adulthood.  
• Car maintenance: Since they may soon be learning how to drive, you can teach them how to take care of the family car, including checking the tyre pressure, topping up petrol, understanding the gauges, and maybe even changing a tyre.    
• Your pair of arms: Teenagers are strong and nimble, which means, if you need help moving the furniture or carrying heavy bags while Chinese New Year shopping, their help can be invaluable.

Tip: Respect their ideas and input even as you guide them in household chores. Also, allow them the opportunity to exercise their problem-solving skills when faced with a challenge.