There are so many little decisions we end up making as new parents. These are the things we don’t give much thought to until we’re in the thick of things and the new parent “overwhelm” sets in.

Believe it or not, one of the most important decisions you make for your baby’s health and safety is the types of cleaning products you choose. In this article, we will offer a guide for choosing baby-safe cleaning products from the experts at our home cleaning services in North York: Maid4Condos.
Does your family have a history of allergies?
Bringing a new baby into the family creates a world of new discoveries and a touch of havoc. Getting to know your little one is a joyful experience, but it can also feel a little scary when you consider all the uncharted ground ahead. One of those things is the development of allergies.
As a result, when it comes to choosing cleaning products, it’s important to consider the allergies of other family members as a guide to guarding against introducing allergens to your baby. Some examples of possible allergies in cleaning products include:
- Fragrances in all types of cleaning products.
- Ammonia that’s common in products such as window cleaners, mould/mildew removers, and toilet cleaners.
- Bleach itself, as well as an ingredient in products such as laundry detergents and bathroom cleaners.
- Sulfuric acid found in drain cleaners.
- Formaldehyde, which is common in many types of aerosol air fresheners.
Does your family have a history of immune challenges?
This is an important question as immune deficiencies require special cleaning products that are disinfectants. Disinfectants kill germs and bacteria that can make you sick, but are also very strong and should be what is called “NSF-certified”.
These products are food-safe for use on all surfaces in the home. On the other hand, products labelled “antibacterial” should be avoided as they contain pesticides.
To be safe, you might consider using home cleaning services in North York that specialize in disinfecting homes. For example, Maid4Condos offers a GermBlasters service that sanitizes all surfaces, including upholstered furniture, using an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant proven to safely kill a wide range of viruses and bacteria. It also doesn’t release those nasty VOCs, and has low toxicity.
Check Product Labels
When using cleaning products, always check the label for approval from trusted associations such as dermatologists, Free & Clear, Eco Logos, or Green Seals, for example. Be wary of products labelled as “biodegradable”, as this does not necessarily mean they are baby-safe.
Biodegradable simply refers to how the product breaks down when introduced into the environment. You can also do a quick online research at the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database where you can look for products with an A rating, indicating low toxicity.
Know What Ingredients to Avoid
Along with all the label approval logos, you should also know what ingredients to avoid. In hand with the list provided for allergens, we recommend steering clear of products containing the following:
- 2-butoxyethanol
- Ethanolamines
- ADBAC
- Benzalkonium chloride
- Phosphates
- Phthalates
- Sulphates
- Ingredients with names with “-monium chloride” or “triclosan” in them
Understand the Chemistry of Cleaning Products
Cleaning products contain a mix of chemicals with varying degrees of cleaning power. The chemistry of these ingredients is safe when mixed together within each product, but becomes highly volatile when mixed with other cleaning products.
As a result, it’s important not to mix two different cleaning products together. This can release toxic gases that present serious health emergencies.
Opt for DIY Cleaners
One of the safest ways to keep your home clean with the arrival of a new baby is to opt for DIY cleaners instead. This is great for the entire family and the planet! Some DIY cleaning recipes include the following:
Vinegar and Water
When to use it: This mix is perfect to tackle grease, and can replace your disinfectants as it is safe for food surfaces.
Recipe: Use a mix of half water and half vinegar or just vinegar when cleaning windows and mirrors.
How to use it: Put it in a spray bottle and spritz surfaces like your stove, countertops, tabletops, etc., and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth or paper towels.
Baking Soda for Scrubbing Power
When to use it: Tackle those hard-to-clean messes such as toilet bowls, shower scum, counter stains, etc.
How to use it: Sprinkle the powder on stubborn stains, spritz with your vinegar mix, and scrub with a clean sponge. Rinse the grit away with water.
Hydrogen Peroxide (Instead of Bleach)
When to use it: This is perfect when cleaning surfaces and stains commonly tackled with bleach.
Recipe: Mix half water and half hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle.
How to use it: First, remove signs of dirt or grime with dish detergent and water. Then, spritz the surface with your mixture, and let it sit for at least five minutes. If the surface is used for food preparation, rinse it away. Other surfaces can just air-dry.
Choose Natural Cleaners
Natural cleaners, like castile soap, are also available and safe to use on just about any surface. As mentioned, mixing cleaning products is never a good idea, including what you assume to be natural and safe.
In this case, for example, you can’t mix castile soap with vinegar. Although this doesn’t present a health issue, it creates a white filmy stain.
Another natural cleaner is lemons. They are perfect for the following:
- Cleaning cutting boards with a bit of salt to remove food remnants and odours from garlic or onions
- Cleaning stains on countertops
- Cleaning garbage disposals
- Getting rid of odours from your drain
- Scrubbing stinky bathroom surfaces, and more
Hire the Expert House Cleaners in North York
Having a new baby is overwhelming, which means you probably aren’t even thinking about cleaning. Instead of letting your home slowly become scary dirty, treat yourself to North York’s professional house cleaners. We can come in once a week or biweekly with our AutoPilot scheduled cleaning packages which benefits of up to 20% off your celaning to keep your home clean and safe for the baby.
We are your cleaning angels who will swoop in and take care of your cleaning chores until you get over those first stressful months and find your groove as new parents. Once you set a routine, cleaning becomes easier. We promise.
Maid4Condos offers the perfect solution for new parents with cost-effective house cleaning services in North York and throughout the GTA. Call us at 647-822-0601 for a free online quote, or contact us here.
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