It’s that time of year again - the holidays are over, the kids are cranky and it’s still cold outside. On top of that, you’re pretty sure that sticky stuff has been on the kitchen floor since your husband spilled the pan of holiday ham last Friday…or you can hope that’s what it is, right?
But now that you’re reading this post, it’s time to put all of that behind you. The kids are back to school (or they soon will be) and after you’ve read these post-holiday hacks for the busy mom, you’ll soon have plenty of time to make that floor sparkle. Or, you know…more time than before. So let’s get to it!

1. Card + art storage

It can be a challenge to store your family’s holiday cards and your kids’ artwork in a way that is easy to update, but still keeps the house neat and clean. For easy display, just take a string of twine and tie it to two screws (or command hooks) and hang the string over an archway or window. Grab a pack of clothespins and – voila! – you have new décor that doesn’t require constant cleaning + organizing.

2. Erase holiday scribbles

Did someone get a little too enthusiastic with the scribbling while they were cooped up indoors? Don’t fret about needing professional cleaning! Just take plain, white toothpaste (colored toothpastes won’t work) and dab it on the stain. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes and scrub with a toothbrush to remove.

3. Distract little ones with baking pans

Need to whip your kitchen into shape, but struggling with little ones that won’t leave you alone? Take out a few pans and toss magnetic letters and numbers on them to keep the kids busy and out of your hair.

4. Easy bib storage

Feel like you’re drowning in bibs? All you need to do is grab a command hook and stick it on the back of their high chair. You get easy access and no mess.

6. Use this trick to get medicine down

Seasonal colds and flus mean that it’s time to down some pretty miserable medicine. Make it easier on you and your little one by poking a hole in a pacifier, and feeding the liquid into the dropper and through the pacifier’s hole. The comforting appearance of the pacifier will placate the toddler’s fear. Bonus tip: keep their milk close by, and wash down the taste in between squirts.

7. Just ice it

Although this is a longtime favorite phrase of sports doctors and athletic trainers alike, ice can also be a useful household item. Not only will its application get gum out of hair (just lay on hair for one minute, then scrape out with a butter knife), but you can even use it to erase indents in your carpet left from furniture moved over the holidays.

8. Laundry hacks: chalk & pepper

If you have kids, you probably have chalk. Keep a store of this handy item in your laundry room, where you can use it to remove grease stains from your clothes. You can also skip the excessive sorting of laundry by using a tsp. of pepper in a load of laundry to keep colors from bleeding.

9. Slice fruit without all the mess

Who needs a knife and cutting board to cut fruit? Just lay out an egg slicer and stick in a strawberry, chunks of melon or pieces of banana for easy-to-eat, no mess slices.

10. Try a glue gun for instant non-slip socks + shoes

Don’t stress over the new socks and shoes are slipping all over the house. Just pick up a glue gun and apply dots or lines to the bottom of shoes or socks for a no-slip surface.

11. Store cleaning supplies out of reach of little hands

Over-the-door shoe racks can be used to store any number of items, but our favorite items to pop in the clear holders are cleaning supplies. Not only does this keep the storage neat, but all you need to do is close the door to keep those canisters from curious eyes & hands.

12. Baby food jars as spice jars

If you’re in the baby food stage, you probably have dozens of empty jars that are just lying around. Why not start your year off with a new project and reuse these jars for neat spice storage? You can even paint the lids with chalkboard paint and use chalk to label each for a beautiful, cohesive look.
Many of these tips have been compiled from other sources, including the Mom.me website, the Kids Activities Blog, Worldinsidepictures.com, and Popsugar.com. For more mom-friendly, healthy living articles, check out The Real Purity Blog. Real Purity creates natural, non-irritating and cruelty-free cosmetics, skin care & body care items for those with sensitive skin.