Effective house cleaning is key when it comes to protecting our health, and our family’s health. However, it can be difficult to understand which cleaning products are safe to use around small children and which are best avoided.
If you’re struggling with these questions then here’s everything you need to know about how to make house cleaning safe for your kids.
Household Cleaners
If you have young children then you want to make sure that every surface of your home is as clean and hygienic as possible. This means getting rid of as many germs as possible and, more often than not, that means using domestic cleaners like bleach. But are they safe?
While it is important to take precautions to protect you and your family from these cleaners (they can be harmful if ingested), sometimes they are the best option. Their strength helps to power through grime, disinfecting surfaces to remove both the dirt you can see and the germs that you can’t. Bleach products like Domestos, which contains Sodium Hydrochlorite, are particularly well-known for being proven to kill many types of common germs including bacteria and fungi.
To use them safely when house cleaning, open windows before cleaning to improve ventilation and airflow throughout the home. Keep your kids out of the room while you’re cleaning and for a short while afterwards and remember to protect yourself with appropriate clothing. Wash your hands thoroughly when you’ve finished cleaning (especially if you are going to prepare food) and keep an eye on younger children who might be tempted to lick surfaces or put things in their mouths that they shouldn’t.
Natural Cleaning Products
Of course, these cleaners aren’t the only option and sometimes when the cleaning job is less intense you might feel more comfortable using natural cleaning products. You’ll still need to use them sensibly and take adequate precautions to protect your children but they are usually a little gentler than domestic cleaners.
Another benefit they have is that you probably own a number of them already and that means you don’t have to make a special trip to the shops. Ideal for when you’ve run out of your usual cleaning products, here are a few natural options you could use to keep your home clean:
● Vinegar: White distilled vinegar is an excellent cleaner because of its acidic properties. Many store bought cleaners are acid-based, allowing vinegar to effectively mimic the actions of these products. Vinegar can be used to remove stains from carpets (apply to a lint-free cloth and dab the stain – don’t worry, the smell will fade once the vinegar dries) and is also very effective at killing mould spores on bathroom walls (apply to a cloth and wipe the wall). Never use vinegar on natural surfaces, like wood or stone, as it may cause damage.
● Lemon Juice: Like vinegar, lemon juice is also acidic and regularly used for cleaning. Due to its fresh, delicious smells, many mums like using lemon for house cleaning tasks in the kitchen. You’ll probably find a number of domestic cleaners are “lemon scented” for this reason. Lemon juice works really well at getting your dirty chopping boards clean and fresh after preparing dinner. Simply slice the lemon in half, sprinkle the flesh with salt (to make it slightly abrasive) and scrub away. You could also create your own kitchen spray with vinegar and lemon peel.
● Baking Soda: Yes, the same stuff you put in your cakes to help them rise is also a very mild abrasive which means it’s great for removing stubborn stains from delicate surfaces such as your kitchen worktops. Simple mix it with enough water to make a paste, and get to work. Baking soda is very versatile so as well as treating stains you can also use it to get rid of odours – even in the fridge!
Keeping a clean home
There you have it. Keeping a clean home is actually much easier than it sounds – even when you have children. Simply pick the right cleaners and follow the necessary safety precautions to give your kids a healthy, hygienic and happy home to live in.
