Nowadays, most cleaning products that are bought in stores contain strong and even harmful chemicals. Making homemade cleaning products for kids will enable you to avoid these toxic chemicals as well and give you more peace of mind, knowing precisely what is in each product. Below, we shall consider just a few simple recipes for natural cleaning products for kids, safe and effective in everyday use.
Why Choose Do-It-Yourself Cleaning Products?
By using homemade cleaning products, you can use ingredients that are friendlier for your toddlers and the environment as well. Another plus of homemade alternatives is that they may be prepared on a relatively reasonable price, making use of items you have in your kitchen or pantry.
Common Ingredients Used for Homemade Cleaning Products
To produce nontoxic but still powerful cleaners, you can have just a few things. Below are some of the general ingredients:
- White Vinegar: This acid acts as a disinfectant, dissolving grease and grime.
- Baking Soda: Is great to use as an abrasive to clean and deodorize surfaces.
- Lemon Juice: Acidic with some bacteria-killing properties, leaving a fresh scent.
- Essential Oils: These add great fragrance-the tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus-and are antimicrobial.
- Castile Soap: Mild and derived from natural oils, very well-suited for a number of cleaning purposes.
All Purpose Cleaner
Such a cleaner is perfect for wiping down countertops, tables, and other surfaces with which your child may come in contact.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 15 drops of lemon essential oil
Instructions
– Put the water and vinegar together in a spray bottle.
– Add the lemon essential oil to this mixture and shake well.
– Spray onto surface and wipe clean with a cloth.
This simple solution cleans a great number of things without causing a child harm if they happen upon it.
Non-Toxic Glass Cleaner
This is an easy recipe to replace commercial glass cleaners, leaving all your windows and mirrors streak-free.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 TB cornstarch
Instructions
– Mix together water, vinegar and cornstarch into a spray bottle.
– Shake well before using, as cornstarch settles.
– Spray onto glass surfaces, wipe with lint-free cloth.
Homemade Bathroom Cleaner
Bathrooms are a den for germs and bacteria to grow, and this non-toxic bathroom cleaner is perfect for children and tough stains.
Ingredients
- ½ cup baking soda
- ¼ cup Castile soap
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
Instructions
– In a small bowl, mix baking soda and Castile soap into a paste.
– Add the tea tree oil to the mixture; mix well.
– Use a sponge to apply the paste on bathroom surfaces; then, rinse with water.
The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil make it perfect for cleaning bathroom surfaces.
Kid-Safe Floor Cleaner
This floor cleaner works on hardwood, tile, and laminate and is safe enough to have your kids around without concern.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon of warm water
- ¼ cup of white vinegar
- A few drops of Castile soap
Instructions
– Combine all ingredients in a bucket.
– Smear the floors with a mop, making sure to wring out excess liquid to avoid over-wetting.
Carpet Deodorizer
For houses that have carpets, a simple deodorizer can freshen it up. This mixture is safe for kids to play on after application.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
Instructions
– In a small bowl, mix baking soda and essential oil.
– Sprinkle over the carpet and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
– Thoroughly vacuum the area.
Wood Surface Polish
If you happen to have any wooden furniture or floors, this natural wood polish will keep them shiny and protected without toxic residues.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of olive oil
- ½ cup of lemon juice
Instructions
– Mix olive oil with lemon juice in a spray bottle.
– Shake well, spray a little onto a cloth.
– Rub across wood surfaces, then buff with a dry cloth.
Important Safety Tips
Although these homemade cleaning products are much less hazardous than commercially prepared cleaners, there are still a few cautions to adhere to:
- Label All Containers: Ensure all of your homemade products are labeled clearly and well out of the reach of young children.
- Test Surfaces First: Before using a new cleaner, test it on a small area that is hidden from view to make sure it doesn’t damage the surface.
- Storage: For homemade cleaners, store them in a cool, dry place for maximum effectiveness.
Making homemade cleaning products for kids can be an assurance that the home is free from harmful chemicals and also friendly to the environment. Plus, using just a few natural ingredients opens up a myriad of possibilities in producing various cleaners that are safe, effective, and easy to make. Therefore, try these recipes today for a cleaner, safer home for your family.
