Getting ready for a baby can seem overwhelming and it might feel like you have about a million things to do in preparation. Whether it’s stocking up on bottles, getting the room ready, or simply enjoying the last few months of peaceful sleep, pregnancy can be a very busy time in your life. One major point to consider is the cleaning of your home; it’s important to clean your home as thoroughly and as often as you can. Once the baby is born, the time you will have to clean your house will be minimal – and of course, you’ll want as many hours as possible to spend with your new bundle of joy. To clean in preparation of a baby:

Declutter

Now is the time to get rid of your husband’s old high school sweatshirts cluttering your closet or hold a yard sale to clear out the garage as you’ll want to clear enough space for all of your baby’s new equipment, which tends to accumulate over time. Declutter now while you have more free time than you’ll likely have in the next fifteen years.

Organize

Be sure to keep anything baby-related organized and within reach. The last thing you want when you bring your newborn is to spend time and frustration looking for misplaced items. Organize everything into drawers, closets, and labeled bins. One simple tip is to purchase a basket with baby necessities in each main room of your home for a quick grab-and-go. In the bathroom, have a basket ready with shampoo, diapers, wipes, q-tips, towels, and baby lotion. For the living room, invest in a basket with toys, books, diapers, wipes, a changing station, and other necessities. Keep in mind these baskets don’t necessarily have to be kid-themed with bright colors – instead, do yourself a favor and purchase baskets that match your home’s décor. Just because you have a child doesn’t mean every room in the house needs to look like a daycare!

Find the items you may need on Amazon:

• Baskets
• Diapers
• Wipes
• Books
• Toys
• Changing Station

Clean toys

Before you allow your little one to touch any toys, it’s vital to clean them off. You don’t know who may have touched, sneezed, or coughed on them and can aid in preventing any early illnesses. An equal portion spray bottle of water and distilled white vinegar should do the trick. Simply spritz onto a clean washcloth, clean toy, and set out to dry.

Clean clothing

Before the baby arrives, it’s important to have all new and used clothing clean and dry. There are several baby-friendly detergents out there, some of which are also eco-friendly.

Have carpets cleaned

Get a professional to have any rugs and carpets professionally clean. While the crawling state may seem far away, your little one will be scooting around the floor before you know it. Every surface must be spotless!

Clean wood floors and tile

The tips above also go for wood and tile floors. Get all floor surfaces professionally cleaned before the baby arrives to improve the air quality in your home.

Clean air ducts

Air ducts should be professionally cleaned every few years; you never know how dirty your home is until you get the ducts cleaned. This will improve indoor air quality immensely.