Mealtime Clean-up Solutions for Busy Parents 

Discover ways to make post-meal clean-up easier

March 23, 2022

Baby led weaning bib by Bibbrella

Is it just us, or does a stack of dirty dishes magically reappear every time you turn your back on the kitchen counter? And did that trash bin miraculously fill itself up again? If this sounds anything like your mealtime experience, you’re not alone. Parents work day in and day out only to find that the chores are never-ending. Read on to discover a couple of clean-up solutions that just might make post-meal clean-up a teensy bit less chaotic!   

Start with Less

It’s always easier to take preventive measures before the mealtime chaos ensues. Try these few tips to start off on the right foot and get ahead of the mess:

- Clean as you go while cooking. This means rinsing off dirty dishes, soaking pots, and putting away ingredients. That way, you can focus on your little one during and after meals instead of rushing mealtime only to face the mountain of post-meal tasks.
- Plate food from the stove (or the microwave–no judgment) instead of setting out clean plates and serving bowls separately. Skip the formalities and eliminate extra dishes by plating food directly from the stove. Why dirty and wash numerous serving bowls, platters, and serving utensils when you don’t have to?
- Begin by emptying the dishwasher or dish rack. Putting dirty dishes away is a much easier task when you don’t have to unload a whole dishwasher after cooking and eating. Plus, this makes it easier to clean as you go and tuck away rinsed cookware to keep surfaces clutter-free.
- Put a full-coverage baby bib on your babe before eating or before prep, if they’re old enough to help out. This lets you catch accidents before they have a chance to soil clean clothes. Debating whether or not a saucy meal is worth the trouble? With a full-coverage bib, you can eat in peace knowing that your baby is protected from mealtime messes. 

Organize the Kitchen for Effective Cleanup

- Instead of piling trash on the counter to dump in the trash after dinner, keep the trash can nearby so you can dump waste immediately.
- Keep reusable containers handy in a cabinet near the stove if you know you’ll have leftover ingredients or dishes.
- Use the same utensil caddy for meal set-up and clean-up to easily transport utensils back and forth from the sink. Note: A caddy that hooks onto a dish drying rack is a plus!

Take Advantage of Mealtime Accessories

Sippy cups, stay-put food mats, and full-length bibs are all essential mealtime accessories for cutting down on post-meal clean-up. For example, a full-coverage bib like Bibbrella is perfect for minimizing laundry. Not only does it cut down on dirty clothes, you can save time (and a little bit of samity) by avoiding yet another outfit change. 

Ask for Help

Parents are pretty superhuman, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need help. Whether it’s your other children, your partner, or your dinner guests, don’t be afraid to ask people to pitch in on the cleaning. Assign tasks to prevent chaos in the kitchen. One person might handle the trash, while another puts away ingredients and leftovers. 

Looking for more ideas on how to make mealtimes easier and more manageable? Check out tips from Bibbrella parents here!