How to clean your baby toys safely
By: Emma Mills
One of the most underused bits of advice for new mothers, is the routine of keeping your child’s toys clean and disinfected. As your baby is developing rapidly, so is their immune system so they need a helping hand in ensuring that they stay healthy. Given their curious nature, between crawling on the floor and touching and biting anything they can get their hands on, they are creating a hotspot for germs and illnesses. It is therefore imperative that precautions are taken to make sure your child doesn’t get sick, and one of the most important preventative measures is properly cleaning their toys. How to clean your baby toys safely is a guide that talks through how to keep those toys clean and more importantly, safe, using natural methods and not modern day cleaning products which often include toxic substances that you want to keep away from your baby.
There are a plethora of dangers out there if you are using modern day cleaning products. Over the last 50 years, there has been an exponential increase in the amount of artificial cleaning products on the market that include chemicals which can be harmful to your baby. Some dangers include; poisoning from swallowing household cleaners (in fact over 1,000,000 children under the age of 5 swallow poisonous solutions), eczema and asthma from certain chemicals, allergies and eye damage. One such chemical that parents must be aware of is 2-butoxyethanol, which is found in over 108 household cleaning products. Exposure to this can affect the central nervous system, blood, and various organs. It is normally taken in through the lungs skin and mouth making it very easy for children to come into contact with to it.
Fortunately there are plenty of safe alternatives to these products. One of the most common poisons out there is bleach, there isn’t any doubt in its effectiveness but it can still cause harm. A common replacement for it is water mixed in with white vinegar. If desired, teat tree oil can be added to add natural antiseptic qualities. Lemon Juice is very good for cleaning surfaces there your child has been, once again mix with water for a safe, natural and effective cleaner. These are just a few safe alternatives that will ensure a healthier environment for your child to grow up in.
