One of the most challenging parts about being a parent is figuring out which household products are safe, and which ones are not. Cleaning supplies can be very harsh on babies, and some can even cause great harm to children. It is imperative that you find something to help you clean up, because kids can make a mess. So, how can you find something safe for your child? That is actually really easy. A lot of the supplies you have in your home already and a lot of these cleaners are perfectly safe to use around the baby.

Going green while you clean is actually very easy. You can clean your home, keep your baby safe from harmful chemicals, and reduce the carbon footprint created by some harmful cleaners.

1. Rubbing alcohol – A lot of people already have rubbing alcohol in their cupboard, but they don’t realize it can be used as a great multipurpose cleaner, sanitizer, and pest control spray. The best part of it all is that you can usually pick up the supplies to make the spray anywhere between $1 and $2. Fill a spray bottle half way with rubbing alcohol, and fill the rest with water. Voila, it really is that easy.
2. Vinegar – Vinegar is a great cleaner, but its smell can be very strong. A 50/50 solution of vinegar and water is a great floor cleaner. A half cup of vinegar can be used in a solution with one cup of ammonia, and one quarter cup baking soda. This cleaning solution is great for cleaning walls, wood floors, and countertops. It is also a very gentle cleaner.
3. Peroxide – Peroxide is one of the best stain removers for laundry on the market. The best part about it is that it is about half the price of all of its competitors. You should never soak colored clothes in peroxide, but you can scrub it just a little bit with peroxide and warm water to remove most stains. Grape juice and even blood will come right out of your kids’ clothes, and it is very easy with the help of a toothbrush.
4. Essential oils – Peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus essential oils all have cleaning properties. Lavender oils can help to eliminate pests, and can easily be added to another green cleaner. Essential oils are concentrates, and can be added to a cleaning solution with an alcohol base. The oils also have cleaning and purifying properties of their own, and their scent is often easier to deal with.
5. Baby items – You can go green with your baby products, too. The folks at Seventh Generation have an extensive line of fairly priced green cleaning products. They create everything from plants and offer products like baby shampoo, laundry detergent, baby bubble bath, all-purpose cleaners, baby diapers, diaper rash cream and much more. Their diapers average $9.99 for 40 diapers, so they help you keep your baby’s bottom clean at an average market cost.

Travis Newville
Breckenridge, Michigan