The Messy Side of Motherhood (and How I Tackle It)

Motherhood is messy. From cleaning up spilled drinks and yogurt on the walls to diaper blowouts in public (#2 on the playground slide, anyone?), you’ll see it all — and clean it all — as a mom.

But here’s the good news: while the chaos is inevitable, it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right mom hacks for everyday messes and a few tried-and-true products, messy motherhood becomes a little easier to handle.

Here are my favorite parenting tips for moms that help keep life cleaner, calmer, and a little more under control:

1. Microfiber Fleece Cloths

Every mom needs a stash of reusable cloths. I recommend buying a bulk pack of microfiber fleece cloths — they’re soft enough for sticky little hands and faces but durable enough for spills on the floor. They hold up well in the washer, and with young kids, we easily go through several a day. I keep a few in the diaper bag, too, for on-the-go messes — because yogurt explosions don’t wait until you’re home.

2. Smocks

Smocks are one of my favorite mom hacks for messy motherhood. From spaghetti night to finger painting, smocks save clothes and cut back on endless outfit changes. They’re especially helpful for toddlers and even preschoolers who seem to wear their food as much as they eat it. 

3. Stain Remover

Let’s be honest: even with rules like “food stays in the kitchen,” toddlers don’t always follow them. That’s why I always keep stain remover for moms on hand — one spray for clothes, one safe option for furniture, and wipes or sticks for outings. If we’re headed to the playground, I usually put my kids in play clothes. It’s a simple parenting hack for moms that takes the pressure off stains and keeps the fun stress-free.

4. Robo Vacuum (and Mop)

This one is definitely a splurge, but worth every penny. I’m not usually a gadget person, yet our Roborock robot vacuum and mop has been the best cleaning hack for our busy family. With two young kids, a big dog, and all the chaos that comes with messy motherhood, this little machine has saved my sanity. Instead of spending my evenings tidying up, I let the robot do the work. We schedule it to run overnight, and by morning — like magic — the floors are spotless. For moms looking for simple cleaning hacks or the best robot vacuum for families, this is hands-down my favorite purchase. (Bonus: we don’t have many rugs, so it works perfectly for our downstairs!)

5. Reusable & Disposable Bags

Between diaper blowouts and juice spills, I never leave home without a reusable bag for dirty clothes and disposable bags for diapers. It’s one of those simple but powerful mom hacks that can turn a potential meltdown moment into a quick, contained clean-up.

Bonus: Bottimals – A Comfort Tool for Bottle Refusal

Not every mess comes from stains or spills — sometimes the hardest part of motherhood is feeding. That’s where Bottimals comes in. Bottimals™ is designed as a comforting bottle-lovey® that can help babies during bottle refusal by carrying mom’s familiar scent. It may help make feeding moments calmer, giving parents one less source of stress.

Embrace the Mess (With Confidence)

Motherhood is full of messes, but they don’t have to feel overwhelming. With practical hacks for everyday messes—from stain removers to reusable bags—and comfort solutions like Bottimals™, you can navigate feeding challenges with more confidence.

Mess is inevitable, but stress doesn’t have to be.