How to create a cleaning playroom for your child

Posted on 25 Nov 2020

Cleaning playroom benefits highlighted by children playing freely in a safe, open space, showing the importance of a clean and hygienic environment for active kids.

Becoming a parent is a major change in lifestyle, habits, and daily routines, but it is not the only thing that will completely change once your bundle of joy finally arrives.

In fact, your home is likely to undergo the most significant changes, mostly because you must adapt your living environment to fit your little one’s needs while keeping it clean, safe, and secure.

If you are looking for some inspiration, the couple of ideas from Paul’s Cleaning Melbourne listed below will help you on your journey to creating a non-toxic, healthy environment where your child can play, learn, grow, and thrive.

Pay attention to lighting & air quality.

The playroom will be the one place in your home where your child spends most of his or her time, which is why you want to ensure it has the right illumination. Equip their room with layers of lighting, including lamps and overhead fixtures, and opt for eco-friendly options such as LEDs and CFLs whenever possible.

Make sure there is enough natural light, and open the windows regularly to let in sunlight and fresh air. Doing so will ensure higher indoor air quality. Just make sure to child-lock the windows after you are done ventilating the room.

To improve indoor air quality, also use air purifiers and introduce a couple of air-purifying houseplants, provided that they’re safe for children.

Pick non toxic paint and flooring options.

When decorating a child’s play area, parents’ main concern is choosing the wall paint colour and ensuring it matches the flooring. While the design of your child’s playroom matters, safety should come first. Your child will spend a lot of time playing there, so make sure that everything from wall paint to flooring is free of toxic chemicals and materials.

Sticking with low VOC/no VOC paint is your safest bet, but take special care in case there is lead-based paint present in your home. As for the flooring, go for easy-to-clean, healthy materials such as linoleum or bamboo.

Not only would you need to look for non-toxic paint brands, but it would also be a good idea to have a garage door opener repaired if you plan to transform your garage into a child’s playroom. This is because kids need fresh air at all times, especially during summer.

Get the right rug

It might tempt you to cover your child’s room with a wall-to-wall carpet. While they may be great for noise reduction, carpets may not be the healthiest choice, as bacteria, dust, bugs, and dirt often get caught in their fibres, which can wreak havoc on children and adults with respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Area rugs are easier to clean and maintain. You can also easily swap them, and they come in a wide range of shapes, colours, textures, patterns, and designs. Avoid the low-quality ones, though, and opt for versatile models such as those from the Miss Amara selection of kids rugs, which ensure a soft, silky underfoot feel. In doing so, you’ll be able to create a stylish, fun, stimulating, and safe play space for your little one.

Choose low toxic, sustainable furnishings.

When furnishing your child’s play area, it’s best to stick with low-toxic, sustainable pieces and materials. Steer clear of furniture made using UF (urea-formaldehyde) glues, stain-resistant treatments (Teflon), polyurethane foam, VOC paint, and antimicrobial chemicals (Microban).

Also, avoid inflatable furniture and other items containing PVC, and instead of furnishings made with adhesives (pressed and laminated wood), opt for furnishings made with sustainable woods and materials.

Clean regularly

Part of creating a haven for your little one to play, learn, and thrive, and of sustainable living itself, is keeping it clean and free of unnecessary clutter. This will help prevent the spread of bacteria and remove toxic pollutants, ensuring proper indoor air quality and a safe environment for play.

Make it a habit to clean their room regularly using harmless, eco-friendly detergents, but don’t shy away from delegating this task to professional cleaners from time to time. Let them tackle a part of your property so you can use your free time for more exciting things, such as spending quality time with your family. If you live alone and have special needs, consult your NDIS plan manager to see whether your funds cover cleaning services.

Remove toxic toys

Most parents don’t consider their kids’ toys toxic; they see them as tools for learning and playing. However, equipping the nursery or playroom with the wrong toys can be dangerous and toxic, especially given how often small children put their hands and toys in their mouths.

To prevent small children from inhaling or swallowing toy parts, remove all small plastic pieces from their room and consider replacing them with healthy, sustainable options such as plush or wooden toys.

To know more for cleaning playroom

How to clean kids playroom?

Start by involving your children in the process—make it fun with music or turn it into a game. Begin by decluttering and sorting toys into categories: keep, donate, or bin. Use storage solutions like labeled bins, baskets, and shelves to organize toys by type. Wipe down all surfaces including tables, chairs, and toy shelves with a child-safe cleaner. Vacuum or mop floors, paying attention to corners where small toys hide. Clean windows and mirrors, dust skirting boards, and sanitize frequently touched items like door handles and light switches. Wash any soft toys and cushions according to care labels. Finally, establish a daily tidy-up routine where children put toys back in their designated spots before bedtime to maintain order.

What is the 20/10 rule for cleaning?

The 20/10 rule is a productivity technique that makes cleaning less overwhelming, especially for children or those who find cleaning tedious. It involves cleaning for 20 minutes, then taking a 10-minute break. During the 20-minute work period, focus completely on your cleaning task without distractions. When the timer goes off, take a proper 10-minute rest—have a drink, check your phone, or relax. Then repeat the cycle. This method prevents burnout, maintains motivation, and makes larger cleaning projects feel manageable. It’s particularly effective for playroom cleaning where the mess can feel daunting, as multiple cycles can tackle even the biggest toy explosion.

What is the 20 toy rule?

The 20 toy rule is a minimalist approach to managing children’s belongings, suggesting that kids should have approximately 20 toys available at any given time. This doesn’t mean throwing everything away—rather, it involves rotating toys to prevent overwhelm and overstimulation. Keep 20 toys accessible whilst storing the rest. Every few weeks or months, swap them out, which makes old toys feel new again. The benefits include easier cleaning and organisation, reduced clutter, improved focus and imaginative play, and teaching children to value what they have. This rule is flexible—adjust the number based on your child’s age, interests, and available space. The goal is intentionality, not restriction.

What is the 20 minute rule in cleaning?

The 20-minute rule is a time-management strategy where you dedicate 20 focused minutes to cleaning without interruptions or distractions. Set a timer, choose one area or task, and work efficiently until the timer sounds. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in just 20 minutes of concentrated effort—a playroom can go from chaotic to organized, or a kitchen can be completely tidied. This approach works well for daily maintenance, quick clean-ups before guests arrive, or when you’re short on time. It’s also less mentally daunting to commit to 20 minutes rather than “cleaning the whole house,” making it easier to get started and build consistent cleaning habits.

Wrapping up

Whether you are working with a small area for play, a special corner of your bedroom or living room, or an entire bedroom complete with a playroom, your little one deserves a safe, non toxic, and clean environment where they can learn, play, be happy, and carefree.

With these tips in mind, you will make the right choices right from the start and design a healthy, secure environment that will keep your child protected while also giving you, the parent, the much-needed peace of mind.