Three Earth Friendly Cleaning Tips:
Creating a Healthy Home for Your Baby

Your baby grows so fast so it's easy to have a closet full of clothes that are too little. Try to make a quarterly habit of boxing up clothes and toys your baby has outgrown. If you have a toddler, talk to them about the blessing involved in giving to other families with little ones.

2. Dispose of unnecessary chemicals in your home.

That includes an assessment of hair, skin care and cleaning products that can do our bodies harm as well as our eco-system.

Contact your local waste disposal company about the proper method and location for disposing of household toxic chemicals, as flushing them down the drain does more harm than good.

We've replaced our skin care products with a certified organic line called Nature's Paradise. They have everything from shampoo to baby lotion and the labels on their unscented baby products indicate they are clean and free.

3. Make your own cleaning products.

You may have already incorporated some of the popular earth friendly brands of cleaning products in your home. However the costs of these products add up if you consider all the types of cleaning that go on around the house, so you may want to try some homemade cleaning solutions.

• Baking soda makes a great scrubbing agent for sinks, tubs and other stainless steel surfaces. It can also be used as a laundry detergent. Add a touch of lavender essential

  Baking soda is also a natural deodorizer and can be used to freshen carpets before a vacuum. Green Parenting author Lynoa Cattanach, recommends using baking powder, grated soap and hot water can be used to mop the floors. Rinse with water and/or a vinegar solution to make it shine.

• Vinegar is another earth friendly cleaning gem. It can be mixed with water and used to clean glass, toilets, stove tops and appliances. Lynda Fassa, author of Green Babies, Sage Moms warns against using it on marble because it streaks and stains.

  One part of vinegar should be mixed with four parts water for most cleaning purposes. Don't worry, the vinegar smell evaporates after it dries.

• Lemon juice is another reliable cleaning agent. You may already use lemon peels to freshen your garbage disposal. You can also mix it with water and/or vinegar to clean out a microwave.

  Fassa recommends mixing 1/4 cup of lemon juice with half a cup of olive oil to polish wood furniture.

You may not be able to rid your house of all of the clutter and chemicals in one day, but you can switch things up in your cleaning routine this week.

These types of steps may only have a tiny impact on the environment as a whole. However take an even greater satisfaction in making your baby's home a cleaner place to breathe, play and discover the world around her.

Choosing Natural Baby Products: Healthy Alternatives to Plastic
Tips for Using Plastic Baby Products

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