Why is it important to have a clean house when your little one starts moving?
The reality of life with a baby is that you'll often feel like there aren't enough hours in the day, so keeping your home absolutely spotless can be a challenge. But before you know it, your baby is on the move and it’s time to look at your home in a new light. From being able to wave their arms and legs and rolling over, it’s only a short step to your baby being able to rock, crawl and cruise around the room. For expert advice on how to baby-proof your home, read our article here. But it’s not just about stairgates and socket covers, it might be time to have a little extra clean too!
When your baby is on the move, they will suddenly get into places you never expected. From under the sofa to the corners of the kitchen, there’s no space they will leave undiscovered. And because they are so close to the ground, and put their hands, feet, and any objects they find into their mouths, any dirt or germs are a potential cause of infections and tummy bugs.
How can you spot problem areas that need cleaning?
The best thing to do to understand what dirt hazards there might be for your baby is to get down to their level. Lie on the floor and look about you and you’ll immediately see what areas have escaped the vacuum cleaner or the mop. It might be areas beneath cupboards, kitchen cabinets, tables, or chairs, so get out the vacuum cleaner and the mop and bucket and get rid of those dust bunnies and cobwebs.
[Safety note: All cleaning products including laundry pods and disinfectants, as well as medicines, should be moved to a high, locked cupboard well out of reach of children.]
Cleaning the nursery
It’s important that the area your baby sleeps in is clean, so wash all bedding and night clothes frequently in an eco-friendly, kind to baby skin detergent, or use Eco Balls or an Eco Egg to avoid having any chemicals next to your baby’s skin. Regularly dust the room from the top down, then vacuum and wash hard floors and surfaces with a non-toxic surface cleaner.
Cleaning the baby changing area
Make sure that the changing mat and table are regularly cleaned with child-safe antibacterial spray. Pay close attention to seams and grooves where the germs might fester. Wash your changing table pad, if you use one on the mat, regularly and immediately if it becomes soiled. Dispose of used nappies and wipes in biodegradable nappy sacks and clean your baby changing bag often, so it’s ready to use. If you use washable nappies, the nappy bucket should be disinfected inside and out regularly with antibacterial solution.
Tips for keeping your home baby-safe
- Choose fragrance-free soaps, shampoos and detergents and look for products that are free from phthalates, SLS, artificial colours and smells
- Choose natural, non-toxic cleaning products as much as possible
- Leave shoes by the door to avoid tracking dirt and germs in
- Invest in a large playmat for your baby that you can wash
- Use a playpen or travel cot to provide safe, clean playing space
- Open windows to air and detox your rooms regularly
Cleaning up your little one
Of course, it’s not just your home that needs cleaning – your baby will too, especially after messy play, cooking, trying out first foods and when playing in the garden. Keep a pack of Huggies® All Over Clean Wipes handy, for cleaning hands, faces and other places. Safe to use on all areas of your little one, they are ideal for cleaning up on-the-go messes. They are made with natural fibres that are kind to skin and approved by the British Skin Foundation.
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