Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk--Literally!
It's a rare night my house when something isn't spilled across the table, down someone's shirt, or on the (not so white anymore) carpet. I've learned to roll with the punches--kids make messes! Thankfully, not every drop of spilled milk needs to turn the night sour.
Milk around the house
My toddler still drinks her milk from a sippy cup, which she carries with her at all times. That means I've found spilled milk in some pretty unfortunate places when the lid has leaked--on my couch, the hardwood floors, and on the carpet. If you catch the spill early, wipe it up quickly and go about your business. If it sits long enough to curdle, you may have to use a scraper, heavy duty carpet or floor cleaners, and (potentially) a nose plug.
Food and drink in car cup holders
If you're constantly running to and from school, gymnastics classes, and soccer practice, your car might look a little bit like mine. The worst mess always seems to be in the kids' cup holders, where trash, leaky drink boxes, and half-eaten lollipops go to die. My secret weapon for those messy cup holders is a toothbrush, ideal for getting into those hard to reach places.
Ketchup on clothes
Ketchup might seem like the end of whatever your son or daughter is wearing, but when treated promptly and properly you won't need to toss that favorite t-shirt. Dab, don't wipe the stain. Pre -treat it before washing. Wash promptly.
Snack food between the couch cushions
Crackers, chips, and even cereal and cereal bars have made their way between the couch cushions when the kids spill their snacks. Make sure your vacuum cleaner has accessories for easy couch cleaning. Make it a point to remove those cushions and see what's down their at least once a month. You never know what you'll find!
Chocolate milk on carpet
Did that chocolate milk dribble from your little one's mouth right to the carpet? Keep a spray carpet cleaner handy, and in a pinch, try dish soap mixed with warm water for a simple carpet cleaner. Once the cleaner has soaked in for a few minutes, you can easily absorb the excess cleaner and wipe the spot clean.
Glue on kitchen tables
My daughters love arts and crafts. As a result, there's always a bit of craft glue build up on my kitchen table. Glue is a little more difficult to wipe away than your normal spill and in contrast, your best bet is to wait for it to dry and use a scraper to gently remove the dried glue from the table. Then, spray a gentle all-purpose cleaner and wipe clean.
Red juice on kitchen counters
When I had light colored kitchen counters, the spill that I dreaded was always a brightly colored juice drink that I didn't catch right away. It inevitably left a residue even after wiping it with a sponge. If it happens to you, consider a mixture with white vinegar which can help treat the stain and lift the sticky residue.
Glitter on anything
Oh, glitter. You are the bane of a parent's existence. You might make my daughters' craft projects sparkle, but I don't like it when everything else in my house sparkles, too. I'll never forget the day my daughter accidentally spilled an entire container of glitter on the backseat of my car…and tried to clean it before telling me. Your best bet for cleaning glitter? Vacuum once. Twice. Thrice. If you have additional suggestions, let me know. Please!
Content by Kelly Herdrich.
