There is a difference between tidy and clean when it comes to household chores.
There is a difference between tidy and clean when it comes to household chores and it is something that really comes in to play when there are children living there.
A tidy home does wonders for aesthetics. The house looks and feels nicer as well as being easier to walk around. It is also significantly easier to find things that you need when you need them. We encourage our children to clean up after themselves for these very reasons.
Clean, on the other hand, is a matter of health and safety. When our home is not clean we are all exposed to germs and bacteria that can negatively impact our health. Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to this kind of thing.
As parents, we must ensure that the areas that our children spend their time in are free from harm so that they can happily explore the world and play without the constant fear of becoming sick or hurt.
When it comes to cleaning we have to be mindful of the products that we are using around our children. Many deep cleaning products are toxic and can cause more harm than good if our children are exposed to them.
They might affect our children’s skin or their health in a much more serious way.
Here are some natural ways (and products) to help you clean your home in the safest way possible.
1. To clean stains and food spillages from your furniture you can use a combination of baking soda and water. Simply use a damp sponge to work the mixture into the stain and wipe away before allowing to dry. Baking soda is a great cleaning product as it has so many uses.
2. Open your windows. Many of us underestimate the importance of ventilation and fresh air in the home. Indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air so opening the windows in each room allows fresh air to circulate. Try to open all the windows for a couple of minutes even when it is a cold day.
3. Pick up some natural non-toxic cleaning products such as the method range. They smell beautiful, clean really well and are super safe around children.
4. Vinegar is an excellent natural cleaning product. You can mix it with warm water and it will remove dirt and grime from most surfaces. It will also remove limescale from your kettle. If you do not like the smell you can add a capful of Zoflora. This natural fragrance is an excellent way to add a pleasant smell to your cleaning efforts without the fear of the product irritating or hurting your family.
5. Use a clean cloth to clean the shower while you are in it. The hot water and steam in the room will lift the dirt and allow you to easily wipe it away without needing any cleaning products at all.
6. Use the baking powder to effortlessly clean the toilet without the need for scrubbing. Add a cup of baking soda to the toilet and leave it there for an hour. Now add a cup of white vinegar and leave it for 5-10 minutes. Flush and watch the magic happen.
7. Add a fresh scent to the house by making a home-made natural air freshener using household ingredients. Simmer a pot of water with some slices of lemon, orange and lime. While it simmers it will disperse a fresh scent throughout the house. Just be careful it doesn’t evaporate and destroy your pot.
8. Add a couple of drops of tea tree oil to some warm water and mix well. You can use this mixture in any spray bottle as a cleaning spray for surfaces all over the house. Tea tree oil has antibacterial qualities and leaves a fresh scent.
Tracey is a happy mammy to four-year-old Billy. She is a breastfeeder, gentle parent and has recently lost five stone so healthy family eating is her passion! You can find her at www.loveofliving.ie.