Why Moms Deserve a Break and How Professional Cleaners Can Help

Article submitted by a new mom & client of professional cleaning services.

“But you should’ve asked…”

“Tell me what to do..”

“Let me know if you need any help…”

Do these words resonate with you? 

Since the dawn of time, women have been responsible for organizing and maintaining the household, including, but not limited to, doing dishes, cooking food, shopping, and so on. But nowadays, women are more than just home workers; they are working professionals. Even with more and more women working full-time jobs, maintaining the household still falls under their jurisdiction. 

Imagine this scenario: you’ve spent the day juggling work deadlines and household responsibilities. You’re folding laundry, your hands are tired and sore, and you look around the kitchen where you’ve just finished washing the dishes, restocking the pantry, and tidying up. Exhaustion is written all over you. Then, your partner looks up from their screen and casually says, “Well, honey, I could’ve done that.” 

It’s common in many households today, where women are still expected to manage the home despite sharing professional responsibilities. This often leads to frustration, fatigue, and resentment as women feel the weight of both worlds—their career and role as the primary homemaker.

The Weight of the Mental Load & Second Shift

Should we add toilet paper to the next Costco run? Maybe more shampoo too?

Call the Gardener to come in next week.

Do I have enough baby wipes to last this month? 

Schedule dentist appointments for everyone.

The never-ending task of remembering things. The invisible but always present “Mental Load." Walzer (1996) was among the first to coin the term "mental labor," identifying the mental effort that goes hand in hand with the physical work of caring for a newborn. This has traditionally fallen to mothers.

This cognitive load aligns closely with the “second shift,” a term coined by Hochschild to describe the unpaid labor—childcare, housework, and emotional management—that begins after the paid workday ends. The "second shift" isn't just about completing tasks like cooking dinner, folding laundry, or helping with homework; it’s also about the mental load—keeping track of schedules, remembering doctor’s appointments, planning meals, and anticipating family needs. It highlights the often-overlooked emotional and cognitive work required to maintain a household running smoothly. 

Even the simplest tasks seem to come with a mental load. This story shared by a new mother is the perfect example of how mental load can impact your day-to-day: 

“I was washing hands when I noticed the empty soap dispenser. Heading to the bathroom cabinet for a refill, I saw we were down to the last toilet paper roll. Naturally, we didn’t want to run out, so I headed to the storage area to grab a new pack of toilet paper. On my way there, I spotted some vegetables on the counter that I had needed to be refrigerated. When I opened the fridge to store the veggies, I noticed a rotten cucumber waiting for…well me. 

So you can imagine what happened next. 

The soap is yet to be refilled.”

This additional burden creates a ripple effect, leading to emotional fatigue, burnout, and even feelings of inadequacy as women strive to meet the demands of work, home, and family. Studies reveal that this inequality in housework and childcare extends beyond physical chores, reflecting deeper mental and emotional differences rooted in socially constructed gender roles. Women are often taught to see these responsibilities as their duty, while society reinforces the idea that running a home is mainly their job.

To all the Moms... Especially the new ones

For new moms, the mental load doesn’t just increase—it multiplies. Suddenly, it’s not just about keeping the house in order; it’s about caring for a tiny, vulnerable human who depends on you for absolutely everything. Many new mothers we work with have shared that becoming a parent felt like their to-do list exploded overnight.

One mom described it perfectly: “Beyond caring for my baby and myself—already monumental tasks—I found myself buried under a growing mountain of housework. Laundry became a daily ritual with endless onesies, burp cloths, and blankets to wash and fold. Bottles needed constant cleaning and sterilizing. And no matter how many tasks I checked off, new ones always appeared.”

For these moms, it’s not just the basics like feeding and changing diapers; it’s the extra work that keeps on piling up. Floors need to be vacuumed, counters sanitized, and surfaces dusted to ensure the home is safe and germ-free for the newborn. It’s an endless cycle of work that leaves them standing in the middle of the chaos, asking themselves:

“Who’s going to clean all this? “

“Who’s going to scrub the week-old stains from the table, vacuum up the dust bunnies in the corners, and make sure this house feels livable again?”

How Pros can Help

The answer to the chaos came from unexpected heroes—the professional cleaners at Green Janitorial Services. Like Santa’s elves, they worked quietly but effectively, scrubbing, wiping, and restoring order to a home that felt impossible to manage. We tackled the grime in corners, dusted surfaces that had been forgotten, and left the house feeling fresher and brighter than you ever could have imagined during those chaotic early days of motherhood.

Our team often hears similar stories from new moms overwhelmed by the endless demands of balancing a baby, work, and household upkeep. For many, hiring professional cleaners isn’t just about having a spotless home; it’s about reclaiming peace of mind. We step in to handle the physical tasks of vacuuming, mopping, sanitizing, and more, but we truly offer relief from the constant mental strain of managing it all.

As one of our clients shared, “When Green Janitorial Services stepped in, I felt a weight lift. Knowing someone else was taking care of the floors, the kitchen, and the bathrooms gave me the freedom to focus on my baby and myself. It wasn’t just about having a clean home—it was about feeling like I could breathe again.”

Our services provide more than cleanliness for countless women, especially new mothers. They create space for moments that matter—playing with a child, enjoying a meal, or simply resting. By resetting the home environment, we help busy families approach the day with clarity and a renewed sense of calm.

At Green Janitorial Services, we’re committed to offering more than a cleaning service. We’re here to provide balance, peace, and support for families navigating the demands of modern life. Let us help you take back your time, reduce stress, and make your home a sanctuary again.

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/26/gender-wars-household-chores-comic

[2] Walzer, S. (1996). Thinking about the baby: Gender and divisions of infant care. Social Problems, 43(2), 219–234. https://doi.org/10/gjt4nz

[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10148620/

[4]https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a44301368/hiring-a-house-cleaner-benefits/