With 4 children, 3 dogs, and a bearded dragon cleaning as a parent is a never-ending task, and I can feel overwhelmed at times - it’s a thankless task that can be rewarding, i.e. a labor of love.

Here are a few things that often don't get mentioned about cleaning as a parent:

1. Clutter accumulates quickly: It's surprising how quickly things can pile up, whether it's mail, clothes, or miscellaneous items. Regular decluttering can help prevent an overwhelming mess - one I’ve not been able to fully master.

2. The battle against pet hair: If you have pets, you'll become intimately familiar with the struggle of removing pet hair from furniture, carpets, and clothing. It seems to find its way into every nook and cranny. Getting a robot hoover mainly due to the pet hair, was the best thing we ever did. Additionally, we also have lint rollers stocked up.

3. Deep cleaning is essential: Regular surface cleaning is necessary, but every now and then, I tackle deep cleaning tasks, like scrubbing grout, descaling taps, and cleaning appliances. These tasks can be time-consuming but are crucial for maintaining a clean home.

4. Window cleaning is a chore: (urgh I hate window cleaning) Windows tend to accumulate dirt, fingerprints, dog saliva and streaks, and getting them clean and clear can be a challenging task. It often requires extra effort, this is the one task I avoid.

5. Sofa maintenance: sofa’s and rugs require regular vacuuming and occasional deep cleaning to keep it looking fresh. Stains, smells and spills can be a hassle to remove.

6. The never-ending battle against odors: Cooking smells, pet odors, and other unpleasant scents have a way of lingering in your home. It can feel like a constant battle to keep your space smelling fresh, requiring air fresheners, candles, and deep cleaning efforts.

To make cleaning more manageable and due to my chronic illness and the need of pacing, I break down tasks down into manageable chunks and establish a cleaning routine. Finally, my husband does clean a lot, and he has taken on more since my chronic illness, but to help we have purchased time saving cleaning tools like a robot hoover and a floating mop.
 
If there isn't always someone around to pick up, it can be a good idea to find a company offering Fort Worth cleaning services (or those elsewhere more relevant) in order to give the house a thorough clean. This can be a lifesaver when chronic illnesses have you unable to muster the energy to get it done.