You might be wondering what “back to school” and “for the home” have to do with one another. In 2020, quite a lot, actually. For many people, you might be preparing for your living room to also be your conference room, office and classroom. And even for those of you whose children are headed back to school for in-person learning, that presents a whole other set of challenges. Read on for some tips on how to adjust to yet another “new normal” in 2020.

If You’re Homeschooling or Doing Virtual Learning

Homeschooling and/or working from home will be a big change for a lot of families. While it may seem overwhelming at the moment, having a plan and a consistent routine will be a major success factor. Designate a separate space in your house for learning. This may be a different room, or it may even be a section of your living room or kitchen where your child can store their supplies and have a nice, clean place to sit. This space should be as free from distraction as possible. (Think away from television, without a distracting view into the rest of the house, toys out of sight, etc.) Part of your daily routine should include wiping down and disinfecting this space, including desktop surfaces, chairs and supplies.

Most virtual learning programs will include technology of some sort. Many families have just one computer or technology device in their homes. If this is the case, and multiple family members will need to use it daily, be sure to clean keyboards or computers between uses. This will help reduce the spread of germs. Additionally, you can increase the frequency of spot-cleanings throughout the house. More people at home all day means more light switches being turned on and off, restrooms being used more often, cabinets and refrigerators being opened more frequently, etc. If spot-cleaning is something that you normally do every few days, consider increasing to daily.

If Your Child is Going to School In-Person

Kids are all about routines. They thrive on consistency and repetition. So create a “coming home” routine that children can get used to doing every day. Have a designated “drop off” space or basket for backpacks and jackets, so they don’t end up on the floor or on top of your kitchen table before you get the chance to wipe them down. Make sure the very next thing your kids do when they get home is wash their hands. Next, have your child empty his or her lunchbox and wipe down their backpack, lunchbox and other personal belongings with a disinfectant wipe. This is an easy chore that even the youngest kiddos can do on their own to start learning responsibility. You may even consider having a checklist by the door to remind children of this routine.

Be sure to wash masks daily, or make sure that your children have enough to get through each school day until laundry day. If you’re planning to wash them all at once on laundry day, keep a mesh laundry bag where they can all be stored until ready for washing. This multi-set is a great value. The smaller ones are the perfect size for masks. Otherwise, those pesky little things will disappear faster than an odd number of socks.

Whatever choice you make for your family, we know it will be the right one for you, and we’re cheering you on during this time. And whether you’re dealing with more people at home all day or your children being exposed to more people outside the home, a regular cleaning routine is a great way to reduce the spread of germs. Contact us today to take that task off your plate while you focus on more important things!