(ARA) - Move over, moms. You're not the only ones taking time off work to take care of a new baby. According to Oxygen/Markle Pulse, 70 percent of women and 63 percent of men agree that it is important for a father to take parental leave for at least two weeks following the birth of a child.

New dads can clean up both dirty diapers and dirty homes. THE MAIDS International offers some tips to help dads lend a hand around the house while mom takes a much needed rest.

- Vacuum the house for your wife to give her back a break. Remember to vacuum your way out of a room by starting in the far corner and working toward the door.

- Keep your little one from inhaling cleaning fumes. When cleaning, spray the product directly onto a cloth, then wipe the surface.

- Soap scum is the ultimate workout! Work on those bulging biceps while scrubbing the tub clean. Use a Dobie scrubber for soap scum and a grout brush to remove grime from tile. To clean the shower curtain, just stick it in the washer and lay flat to dry.

- Use your brute strength and surprise your wife by moving appliances like stoves and refrigerators, and cleaning behind them.

- Get your floors so clean you won't mind if your baby eats off them! Scrub them by hand using mild disinfectant and warm water.

- For a special finishing touch that is sure to make your wife smile, use a drop of baby oil on stainless steel sinks to make them sparkle.

- Enlist other children's help with household chores by making them fun. Pretend the toy box is a basketball net and the toys are basketballs. Have your child try to score points by getting the toys in the toy box.

If house cleaning is too daunting a task after the birth of a child, call your local THE MAIDS Home Services franchise. The Maids specialize in cleaning for health with their Healthy Touch cleaning system. To locate the franchise nearest you, visit their Web site at: www.maids.com.