most efficient way to clean up after kids eat?

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Forum -> Household Management -> Cleaning & Laundry

Most efficient way to clean up after kids eat?

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spinkles ↓

Mon, Jun 04 2007, 7:13 pm

So...I get so annoyed, I feel like whenever the kids have a snack or a meal it makes such a mess. Crumbs and little pieces that fell down, and sticky fingers that grabbed on to the back of their chairs...I spend too long cleaning up. What's the most efficient way to clean up the eating area in the kitchen?

Mimisinger ↓

Mon, Jun 04 2007, 7:19 pm

I don't know, but good question!!!! I would also love to hear any suggestions...maybe have them eat in a kiddie pool?

baseballmom

Mon, Jun 04 2007, 7:20 pm

Clear table (or have dcs clear the table). Wipe down table, wip down grimy chairs, sweep.

Most important in this routine, do not let kids walk around while eating a snack - that cuts down on the mess a lot!

Oh yah, and do it right away...don't let the gunk harden on the tables, chairs, floor, etc or it will take much longer and will become a much bigger job.

dr pepper

Mon, Jun 04 2007, 7:30 pm

I use baby wipes to quickly wipe down the trays, chairs, etc and I keep a dustbuster handy to pickup the crumbs in 2 seconds.

then I just seriously scrub with soap and water on fridays, or after a really really messy meal.

su7kids

Mon, Jun 04 2007, 8:23 pm

The best way is to clean up without resentment.

They're kids. They do what kids do.

Love them.

Soon you'll have perfectly clean homes, and no little people running around with sticky fingers.

Love it while you can.

BeershevaBubby

Mon, Jun 04 2007, 9:08 pm

You mean other than a hose and shovel? j/k...

You might want to consider getting the kids involved in the cleanup... before they get up from the table, when they're eating sticky, you hand them each a washcloth to wash their hands and their area.... worse comes to worse, have them all sweep the crumbs from the table to the floor and then you just sweep up the crumbs from the floor...

greenfire ↓

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 6:42 am

interesting question ... it reminds me of how my sister used to come and visit always cleaning ... but then she would not like it when my kids ate because it made a mess ... it sort of drove me nuts to be honest ... because they needed to eat and it was in the kitchen ... that is part of life - a woman's work is never done - but hopefully we reap the benefits at some later time ...

gryp ↓

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 7:21 am

And this is why I'm buying a little table and chairs. It It's not fun scrubbing down the high chair 6 or 7 times a day.

My 3 year old, I don't have a problem with messes. Ever since I trained him to keep all his crumbs on his napkin/plate.

Anyway, I use a sponge and vaccuum.

chocolate moose ↓

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 7:29 am

GR, I could have give you mine when we moved !!!!!!! It was the best thing we ever had!!!

↑ gryp

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 7:43 am

Thanx anyway. I ordered mine online and it shipped today.

happyone

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 7:56 am

put a disposable tablecloth on the table. After they're done eating, spilling, and leaving crumbs all over the table. Just lift the plastic tablecloth into the garbage, and poof! you got a spotless table.

Just remember, kids will be kids!

Marion

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 9:02 am

You don't. When they are drafted, then you can finally clean up.

↑ chocolate moose ↓

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 10:02 am

could you eat outside and hose down after?

shayna82

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 10:04 am

I trained my kids to use napkins, and when I forget to give them one, they ask for it. that way, no fingers wiped on clothing or anywhere else...

justanothermother ↓

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 10:39 am

My kids have a little table for snacking and crafts. After they are done, they brush off any crumbs from their clothes onto the floor. I shpritz everything, and starting from the table, wipe to the floor, wipe chairs, put chairs upside down on top of table, sweep floor if mostly dry mess, use shpritz and shmatta on floor it sticky, wet, etc.

The main thing, my kids have learnt to sit still while eating and not to leave the table. It was the hardest teaching my oldest, but my two year old just watches what the other kids do and copies. They also use napkins and if they spill they wipe it up. If they are being rowdy, which does happen sometimes, I will give them neat snacks ie) cut up apple and cheese, drinks in sippies.

Last edited by justanothermother on Wed, Jun 06 2007, 10:21 am; edited 1 time in total

↑ spinkles ↓

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 11:19 am

Thanks, ladies--these are some great ideas!! I never thought of using a dustbuster--we have one in the basement just sitting there because it was a gift and I never could think of a use for it besides cleaning out the van. It's such a good idea! I also love the idea of giving each kid a little cloth to wipe their own area with--my kids would totally go for that, they love to help me clean. And the disposable tablecloth--I should do that when we're eating something like spaghetti, that would make life a lot easier.

Quote:

could you eat outside and hose down after?

That's why I love summer! We do that a lot. Especially helpful with the high chair.

Quote:

my kids have learnt to sit still while eating and not to leave the table

This is something we are working on. I have one kid who is just a very active kid, nothing seems to work. Maybe as she gets older.

Thanks, everyone, for the great ideas! I'm going to try them out!

P.S. Don't worry--just because I get annoyed by their mess, it doesn't mean that I'm annoyed by my kids. I know it's normal. I don't kvetch about it to them. I just was looking for a more efficient way to clean up.

Also, why is having a little table better than the regular-sized one? Is it because there are fewer spills since it's proportioned for children? We have a couple of the Little Tykes picnic tables for crafts etc., but they're all cracked ones that were left outside by various neighbors on trash day embarrassed

. I might consider getting a real one if it really would be useful, though.

↑ justanothermother ↓

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 11:34 am

Quote:

This is something we are working on. I have one kid who is just a very active kid, nothing seems to work. Maybe as she gets older.

For snacks the rule is, if you leave the table I clear up the snack. Of course not if they go to the bathroom, but I don't let them eat and play with the back and forth. They may be a bit hungry till mealtime, and I will have to deal with the ensuing crankiness, but I rarely have to do it because they know I always follow through. For meals though, I just bring them back. They are allowed to ask to be excused early if they are done eating, but if they run off to play during the meal, I follow them and carry them back to the table. It is now just a problem with my 4yo, he can't sit during supper, he tries to climb on the table, he stands on his chair and it tips over... I bought him mickey mouse dishes which he is only allowed to use if he is sitting nicely. So far it is helping, I'm hoping he will learn the self control before the novelty of the dishes wear off.

Quote:

Also, why is having a little table better than the regular-sized one?

Because it is smaller, so mess is spread over a smaller surface. Also, I like when my bigger table looks neat, I keep a centerpiece on it, I don't want to move it every time we eat. It is also easier to move smaller chairs out of the way to clean underneath.

↑ chocolate moose ↓

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 12:20 pm

do you all have bibs? or aprons?

↑ Mimisinger

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 12:32 pm

I def. use a bib every time my son eats. And, he's so cute, but he's not even 1 yet so while he makes a huge mess (we're at the stage where throwing food on the floor is fun) he can't really learn rules. Soooo, I'm just cleaning up like everyone else...

↑ spinkles

Tue, Jun 05 2007, 3:22 pm

Just wanted to say that supper cleanup tonight went great!!! Everyone had their own little soapy dishcloth and they loved it. They insisted on cleaning all the chairs, not just their own, and the entire table, not just their own part. This gave me time to quickly clean the high chair and straighten up the milchige counter. It was fast and easy!

Thanks everyone! Very Happy

Re: bibs/aprons, yes I have wonderful ones from NY that are terrycloth with calico sleeves and offer great coverage. I spent plenty stocking up on them once. But no one will wear them. I just end up soaking 99% of my kids clothes in Oxi before washing. Rolling Eyes

Gotta pick your battles.

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