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Realistic strategies for keeping your house clean with a dog and toddlers. Proven tips from Dog Meets Baby trainer Emme.
By Emme, Dog Meets Baby Trainer
Hi, I'm Emme! I'm a work-from-home mom with two toddlers and a young, energetic dog. Let's be real - my house is far from picture-perfect. But it's clean enough to feel peaceful, functional, and comfortable for the chaos of everyday life.
If you're wondering how to keep a house clean with a dog and toddlers, you're in the right place. Below, you'll find how I actually take care of my home in a manageable and guilt-free way, because we all deserve to live in a clean space. But some days, toddlers be toddlering (dog included), and there's room for that in my life too.
Instead of stressing over what needs cleaning and when, I created a weekly rotation of household tasks. I started by jotting down all the cleaning tasks that regularly take place over the course of a week, then listed them in an order that makes sense, keeping functionality and ease in mind. Next, I threw in repeats as needed, like vacuuming additional times per week depending on my dog's shedding, guest visits, or impactful weather (anyone else dread the rainy season when their entryways get incredibly muddy??).
On Monday, I start at the top of my list and work my way down. Tuesday, I pick up where Monday left off. Uh-oh, Wednesday has some curveballs, so I don't get dedicated cleaning time and only complete 1 or 2 tasks randomly. Thursday, I pick up right where I left off. And on and on…….
Mapping out specific tasks to clean each day has done wonders for eliminating some of the mental load. This house cleaning schedule helps me ensure I'm cleaning everything regularly, even if I don't get to something one day, because I know it'll just be on the line-up for the next day.
I picked this up from a social media scroll, and it's been a game-changer.
Time chunking is where you break your available time into focused sections. For example, I typically dedicate 20-30 minutes to cleaning each day, so my chunking might look like this for a toddler nap:
Setting a timer helps me stay focused and avoid getting distracted by messes in other rooms or side tasks. It has honestly made my day feel more structured and more relaxed. This cleaning routine for busy moms works because it's flexible. I end up doing a little bit each day, without letting any one task pile up and become completely overwhelming.
If a cleaning tool isn't user-friendly, I'm not going to reach for it often. I look for features like:
My Current Favorite Home Cleaning Tools:
Right now, Shark vacuums are my go-to — great durability, performance, and budget-friendly.
And my portable carpet cleaner (hi, fellow pet parents and potty-training warriors!)? An absolute must. It handles everything from vomit to spilled smoothies, and it’s compact enough to store easily.
Check out our blog post on managing dog hair.
One of the smartest changes we've made is switching to pet-friendly furniture and home items:
We've specifically looked for home items that blend easy care with product quality, so they're not only long-lasting and durable but also easy to clean when the mess of dog(s) and kid(s) inevitably happens.
I've narrowed our cleaner stash down to a few tried-and-true multi-purpose, pet-friendly cleaning products that can clean or sanitize almost all surfaces around my home:
Force of Nature (hypochlorous acid): Safe and effective disinfectant that I use daily. It kills 99.9% of germs but is completely safe around my toddlers and dog. I use it on everything from kitchen counters to high chairs to dog bowls. Game-changer for peace of mind!
Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap: All-purpose and gentle
Vinegar + water: Classic DIY home cleaner
Between these, I can clean surfaces confidently, knowing they're safe for kids and pets.
I like using weeknights or nap times for deeper cleaning or more occasional tasks, so our weekends stay more relaxed. This includes:
Some other nighttime habits I've seen others implement that sound interesting - throwing on a TV show or movie while folding laundry or practicing a "nighttime close" where you reset the house to how you'd like it prepared for the next day.
It's important to me that my kids see what goes into maintaining a home, plus they actually love helping!
Here's what they do (with toddler-sized tools or supervision):
We've also put a lot of effort into independent play - a skill that's paying off. But when needed, I'm not above some screen time while I speed-clean.
*For some dogs, extra precaution may need to be taken with children around their toys for safety reasons. Please have a plan for what's safest for your family in this instance.
Check out our Free Toddlers and Dogs Guide for tips to help everyone coexist peacefully.
Keeping a house clean with dogs and toddlers is no small feat. And no one system works for everyone, or every season. You might thrive on cleaning checklists, apps, minimalist routines — or just hiring help. Go with what works for you.
And remember: what your routine looks like today will evolve. Your kids grow. Your dog's needs change. And your systems will grow with you.
Here's to homes that are lived-in, loved, and just clean enough to keep our sanity.
Have your own clean-with-kids hacks? I'd love to hear them — let's share the wisdom.
My beloved dog Lola, who passed away this year, was a shedder. My other dog, Hela, doesn’t shed, but she’s a magnet for everything—twigs, sand, mud, foxtails… you name it. Add elementary school children in a forest school, many playdates, living close to the beach, and many visiting dogs, and keeping a mostly clean home can be a challenge! Here’s how I manage it without losing my mind:
We have two Eufy robot vacuums. They’re basic compared to the high-end models, but durable, low-profile (so they don’t get stuck under furniture), quiet, and excellent at collecting dog hair.
Thanks to a recommendation from a dog-walker friend, we have two Muddy Mats, one by the door and one in the car. They are a game-changer:
Hela’s muddy paws are no match for the MudBuster. We give her a few treats while washing her paws, then dry them on a towel. The water always comes out dirtier than you’d expect!
I keep a hand vacuum in the kitchen, always charged, so it’s easy for anyone to grab when crumbs or dirt appear - perfect for the kitchen and the car. My hand vacuum cleaner has been unavailable for a while, but you can pick up a similar one here.
We have a dry/wet vacuum that’s honestly a joy to use, it’s super easy to maneuver. It is perfect for the toddler phase, especially with all the random wet messes that end up on the floor. Between that, the Eufys, and our hand vacuum, we’re pretty much set. I use it about once a week. For everyday sweeping, this broom and dustpan set is perfect.
My husband is a creature of habit and him and his Dyson are inseparable. He refuses to use any other vacuum cleaner. He’s had it for years, had to replace a few parts but the overall quality is amazing.The model we have is no longer available, but this is the newer version of it. If Dyson is in your budget, my husband highly recommends it.
When Lola was with us, I used several brushes to manage shedding. My favorites:
For more products and tactics on dealing with dog hair (especially with a baby), check out my detailed blog post: How to deal with dog hair when you have a baby.
Pro Tip: Keep Dogs Calm Around Vacuums
Many dogs are scared of vacuum cleaners. If yours is, remove them while vacuuming. The last thing you want is a nervous dog near your child while you’re busy cleaning.
A: Spot vacuuming in high-traffic areas 2-3 times a week, with a deeper vacuum 1-2 times per week. Robot vacuums are game-changers for daily maintenance.
A: Look for non-toxic, plant-based cleaners like Force of Nature, Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap, or simple vinegar and water solutions.
A: Regular grooming, washing dog bedding weekly, and vacuuming frequently. Force of Nature helps eliminate odors naturally without covering them with artificial scents.
A: Yes! Age-appropriate tasks teach responsibility. Just supervise around cleaning products and ensure dog safety.
A: Look for powerful suction, HEPA filters, and pet-specific attachments. Cordless options are great because there's no cord for toddlers to trip on.
A: Train a solid "go to bed" cue, where your dog goes to their bed and stays there. Give a chew or a food-filled puzzle toy. Or manage, by having your dog crated, behind a baby gate, or outside (weather permitting).
A: Yes, but don't set it on automatic if your dog has accidents indoors unless you have a robot vacuum that avoids accidents, like this iRobot Roomba j7+ or Roborock S7 MaxV.
Online resources to help your baby and dog get along—right from the start and as they grow up together.
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