5 rooms – and how to get them ready for visiting kids
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If you don’t share your home with a toddler, it can take a bit of work to prep it when one (or more!) is coming to visit. Whether your own babies aren’t quite at that stage yet, or are all grown up with kids of their own, here’s how to prep the house with minimal effort…
1. Nurseries and playrooms
If you have the space to create a dedicated toddler zone, then that is ideal. It also saves extra work toddler-proofing the living room too – it can remain an adult-only area if they have somewhere else to play.
Fill the room with familiar toys and games, but keep a couple of toy boxes on hand so that clearing away is a doddle. Given how inquisitive toddlers can be, and how they’ll pick up anything off the floor and put it in their mouths, use Flash Ultra Power Liquid Gel for a floor that’s clean enough to eat dinner off!
2. The living room
Even if you plan for this to be an adult-only space, with the toddlers only venturing in under close supervision, it’s still worth toddler-proofing it. If you have a coffee table, move it against a wall rather than leaving it in the middle of the room for wobbly walkers to bump into.
Move any ornaments – ideally, they should be out of sight, but at the very least out of reach. If you have a fireplace, put a fireproof guard or barrier in front of it. Ensure that any plants you have are not poisonous, and move them out of reach in case a toddler might be tempted to take a bite.
3. The bathroom
This can be one of the more hazardous rooms in the house, with lots of fiddly bits that little hands will want to explore. Obviously, you will need to clear all the surfaces and lock away all medicines and sharp items like razors, nail scissors and tweezers.
Get rid of germs with Flash Ultra Power Liquid Gel, and make sure to keep the toilet seat down at all times, or consider fitting a toilet seat lock for extra protection. With extra bodies in the house, the bathroom will be getting more use. Use Viakal to remove watermarks and prevent the build-up of limescale.
4. The kitchen
If you don’t already have childproof locks on the cupboards and drawers, consider fitting them. Ensure anything hazardous is locked away and well out of reach of little hands. That means foods, drinks, cleaning products and appliances.
Kids’ toys can get grubby, but this is where the dishwasher comes in. First check that the toys are dishwasher-safe, and then put them in with Fairy Platinum Plus Dishwasher Tablets to blitz germs and get them back to their best.
5. The bedroom
Aside from the usual dusting and vacuuming, you can make the room feel extra homely for little ones who are spending the night. Fresh clean sheets are the starting point. Use Bold 3in1 Pods – not only is the scent gorgeous, but the included fabric softener means that you don’t need to iron them. Bonus! Even better, the family pack comes with a childproof lock to avoid accidents.
Once the bed is made, you could make sure that a beloved toy or two is waiting for them to remind them of their own bedroom at home. It will help them settle in and hopefully mean that you both get a good night’s rest.
What’s your failsafe way to keep toddlers entertained? Let us know in the comments below...