Summer vacation is a great opportunity to challenge yourself! Start with your family! "Great Summer Cleaning"

Kao Corporation's Home Care Division will propose "Great Summer Cleaning" starting July 1, 2026, as an opportunity for families to share housework during summer vacation and become familiar with cleaning together with children.

Summer is a time when stickiness on floors, odors from drains, and dirt around windows, including window screens, tend to be noticeable. The special website will clearly explain easy ways to solve common summer cleaning problems.

Additionally, on the same day, we will launch "Become a Dirt Researcher!" content, which can also be used for summer vacation free research projects, to encourage children to want to clean on their own.

"Great Summer Cleaning" Special Website:

https://www.kao.co.jp/osouji/natsu/

In recent years, more people are choosing to do their "big cleaning" not just at the end of the year, but also in the summer*1.

Summer's high temperatures and humidity make floor stickiness and drain odors more noticeable. Furthermore, as people open windows more often, dirt on window screens and around windows becomes more apparent. Spending more time at home due to extreme heat can also lead to a greater focus on household dirt.

Summer vacation, when there is usually more time, is a great opportunity for the whole family to tackle "big cleaning." Sharing cleaning tasks not only leads to housework sharing but also provides an opportunity for children to develop cleaning habits and deepen parent-child communication.

Therefore, Kao's Home Care Division is proposing the "Start! Great Summer Cleaning" campaign from July 1, 2026, as an opportunity for families to share housework and for children to become familiar with cleaning together.

*1 Kao survey conducted in 2024 and 2026 among approximately 1,000 women aged 20-60.

● Campaign to win "Great Cleaning Rewards" items and travel vouchers

From July 1 to August 31, 2026, purchase eligible products such as "Magiclean," "Quickle," or "Haiter" and apply to win travel vouchers or items like encyclopedias useful for free research projects through a lottery. For details on campaign conditions, please check the "Great Summer Cleaning" special website.

https://www.kao.co.jp/osouji/natsu/

● "Become a Dirt Researcher!" Available on the Special Website, Also Useful for Summer Vacation Free Research

To foster children's interest in cleaning and provide them with an enjoyable way to engage with it, Kao will launch "Become a Dirt Researcher!" content on its special website from July 1, 2026. This content is also suitable for summer vacation free research projects.

We believe that providing children with an incentive to say "I want to try it!" is crucial for developing cleaning habits and encouraging them to help out. This content focuses on everyday dirt, increasing interest in cleaning through observation, understanding, and learning about it. It can also be used for summer vacation "free research" assignments, which often pose a challenge in choosing a topic.

"Become a Dirt Researcher!":

https://www.kao.co.jp/osouji/natsu/kenkyu/

<Step 1> Let's research dirt

Collect and observe common dirt from floors using adhesive tape. Paste the found dirt onto a research sheet downloadable from the special website and record your findings. After completing your research, take a photo of the research sheet and post it with "#KaoGreatSummerCleaning".

<Step 2> Let's learn the secrets of dirt

The special website allows children to learn about dirt in a fun way, with researchers answering their simple questions. For example, the following questions are addressed:

What is dirt made of?

What is dust?

Why do so many hairs fall out?

What is the cause of sticky floors?

What happens if dirt is left unattended?

● Invite 24 Parent-Child Pairs to "Kao Tochigi Factory" for a "Quickle Special Event"

Furthermore, on October 17, 2026, we plan to hold a "Quickle Special Event" for children interested in cleaning. 24 parent-child pairs (48 people in total) will be selected by lottery from applicants to be invited to the "Kao Tochigi Factory," where Quickle's research facilities are located.

The event will feature a special program where children can ask researchers questions directly and observe experiments up close. For parents, a lecture by education critic Mr. Chito Oyano is also scheduled to be held concurrently. Details can be found on the special website.

https://www.kao.co.jp/osouji/natsu/kenkyu/

● Easy and Less Messy! "Window Screen Cleaning" Recommended for First-Time Big Cleaning and Children's Help

*Image

Even window screen cleaning, which can seem troublesome, can be easily completed in about 10 minutes with "Quickle Wiper," minimizing contact with dirt. No detergent, sponge, or rinsing is required. It's also recommended for first-time big cleaning or as a task for children because the dirt removal is clearly visible, leading to a sense of accomplishment.

To use, attach a "Quickle Wiper Dust-Absorbing Wet Sheet" to the "Quickle Wiper" and wipe the window screen vertically and horizontally. It effectively removes fine dust and black grime*2.

Cleaning clogged window screens also improves ventilation efficiency.

*2 Effectiveness may vary depending on the degree of dirt.

[Products Used]

"Quickle Magnet Wiper"

https://www.kao-kirei.com/ja/item/khg/quickle/4901301410085/?tw=khg

"Quickle Wiper Dust-Absorbing Wet Sheet Strong, Unscented Type"

https://www.kao-kirei.com/ja/item/khg/quickle/4901301359087/?tw=khg

[Reference 1] Recommended Help for "Great Summer Cleaning"

Challenge what you can do! Age-based (approximate) tasks and recommended Kao products

Home Cleaning Guide "Children's Hearts Grow Through Helping with Chores":

https://www.kao.co.jp/osouji/lifestyle/kodomo/

<Preschoolers (3-5 years old)> First, try floor cleaning

Floor cleaning can be naturally incorporated by combining it with "tidying up." The "Quickle Wiper" is also recommended for first-time helpers as the tool can be easily adjusted to the child's height.

*Image

[Floor Cleaning Method]

First, organize the room and clear the floor of items.

Attach a cleaning sheet, "Quickle Wiper Dust-Absorbing Wet Sheet," to the floor cleaning tool "Quickle Wiper."

Simply wipe along the floor's grain to remove sticky dirt.

[Products Used]

"Quickle Magnet Wiper"

https://www.kao-kirei.com/ja/item/khg/quickle/4901301410085/?tw=khg

"Quickle Wiper Dust-Absorbing Wet Sheet Strong, Unscented Type"

https://www.kao-kirei.com/ja/item/khg/quickle/4901301359087/?tw=khg

<1st-2nd Graders> "One Area Assignment" Recommended

It's recommended to start with tasks that can be completed in a short time, such as cleaning pencil marks off study desks or wiping dining tables. This helps children feel a sense of accomplishment and motivates them for future chores.

*Image

[Desk and Dining Table Wiping Method]

Spray "Quickle Home Reset Foam Cleaner" directly, then wipe with paper towels or a clean cloth.

No second wipe needed, making it easy for children to do.

Removes pencil marks quickly!

[Items Used]

"Quickle Home Reset Foam Cleaner"

https://www.kao-kirei.com/ja/item/khg/quickle/4901301378163/?tw=khg

<3rd-4th Graders> Challenge cleaning areas used by the whole family

Once they are comfortable with cleaning their own space, encourage them to expand their scope to the washbasin, which is used by everyone. The visible results make it a rewarding task.

*Image

[Washbasin Cleaning Method]

Press the sponge of "Quickle Washbasin Cleaner" onto the cleaning surface to dispense the liquid and create foam.

Lightly scrub the entire washbasin and rinse with water.

Easy to do without getting hands wet or dirty.

[Items Used]

"Quickle Washbasin Cleaner"

https://www.kao-kirei.com/ja/item/khg/quickle/4901301440488/?tw=khg

<5th-6th Graders> Tackle more complex cleaning

Bathroom cleaning involves washing multiple areas and requires planning, making it an opportunity to develop "thinking skills."

*Image

[Bathroom Cleaning Method]

Wet the entire bathtub with shower water, then spray with the bathroom cleaner "BATH MAGICLEAN." Wait 20-30 seconds and rinse. If the dirt is heavy, scrub lightly with a sponge.

For floors, walls, washbowls, chairs, etc., spray directly onto the dirt, scrub lightly with a sponge, and rinse.

[Items Used]

"BATH MAGICLEAN SUPER FOAM CLEANSER Unscented Type"

https://www.kao-kirei.com/ja/item/khg/magiclean/4901301426529/?tw=khg

[Reference 2] Comment from Education Critic Chito Oyano

"Helping with Chores" Cultivates Children's "Non-Cognitive Abilities" and Deepens Parent-Child Bonds

Traditionally, parents and teachers have focused on improving children's academic abilities (cognitive abilities). However, a different approach is gaining attention recently. The keyword is "non-cognitive abilities."

"Non-cognitive abilities" is a general term for abilities that are difficult to measure numerically, such as self-efficacy, sense of responsibility, self-management skills, perseverance through trial and error (grit), and self-actualization. Research in educational economics, developmental psychology, and educational psychology has shown that nurturing "non-cognitive abilities" in early childhood is important and influences future learning and life enrichment.

"Helping with chores" is recommended as an opportunity to foster these non-cognitive abilities. Cleaning is rich in elements that develop non-cognitive abilities, such as self-efficacy, responsibility, self-management, and perseverance through trial and error.

For example, being praised with "Thank you for cleaning, you were a great help" makes a child feel they have contributed to the family, boosting their self-efficacy. Tackling chores even when they don't feel like it cultivates a sense of responsibility and self-management. Furthermore, trying different methods when something doesn't go well helps them develop the ability to see things through to the end. Increased parent-child communication through chores and working together on housework also deepens the emotional bond between parents and children, which is highly beneficial for a child's growth.

What's Important for Children to Develop Cleaning Habits is the "Start" Trigger

What's important for developing these cleaning habits is the trigger to start.

For instance, milestones like the New Year or the start of a new school term are good times to begin new things. Summer vacation's big cleaning is another. Big cleaning, where the whole family works together, is an excellent opportunity for children to start cleaning in a fun way. It can be beneficial to clean together as a family, or to divide areas and have each person take responsibility. It's good to gradually build cleaning habits starting with this long vacation's big cleaning.

It's also recommended to stimulate children's playfulness and interest to make it enjoyable. For example, turning it into a game like "Who can collect the most trash? Let's race, Dad!" can be effective.

Using summer vacation's free research time to investigate various household dirt is also a great idea. Researching dirt with questions like "What is this dirt?" or "How can I clean it off?" naturally sparks motivation for cleaning. Recently, games with cleaning themes have also emerged. Using such games as an entry point to develop an interest in cleaning in a fun way might be another method.

What's important is not how "good" or "bad" the cleaning is, but the process of enjoying it together as a family. Please try to enjoy cleaning with your child while acknowledging and praising their small efforts.

Chito Oyano

(Profile)

Education critic. Based on his experience as a teacher, he offers concrete advice on parenting, discipline, parent-child relationships, study methods, and home education. He is also known as the advisor for the popular manga "Dragon Zakura." He is the author of many bestsellers, including "100 Words from Parents," "365 Days of Parenting," and "Complete Book for Solving Rebellion." He also shares content on various social media platforms. He is very popular for his educational lectures at elementary, junior high, and high schools, kindergartens, and nurseries across the country, as well as for training sessions for teachers and nursery staff.