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There has been a lot of concern in recent years as to whether a clean home really is a healthy home for raising children. The fact is that your children are less likely to suffer infections, allergy issues, or injuries in a home that is kept reasonably clean. The following guide can help you better understand what is meant by clean and how you can achieve it.Clean Vs. DirtyChildren do need to be exposed to some germs in order to develop a healthy immune system – you don’t want to keep your children in a bubble or disinfect every surface all the time. At the same time, there needs to be healthy boundaries since some germs can be deadly.The key is to strike a balance. An overly clean home is one where there is rarely a speck of dirt. Surfaces are wiped down with disinfecting spray several times a day and children’s hands are washed constantly with alcohol sanitizers. A perfectly clean home is kept orderly, danger zone surfaces (like kitchen counters) are wiped down daily, and there are deeper weekly cleaning routines.Kitchen TipsThe kitchen is one of the most important places for cleanliness. This is because germs in the kitchen can taint the food for the entire family, leading to major illness in some cases. The following tips can help you keep the kitchen clean and healthy for your kids:
- Use a cutting board for all meat and dairy products, instead of cutting directly on the cabinet. Disinfect the boards after use.
- Wipe down counters with a disinfecting spray before beginning any food preparation.
- Avoid cross contamination – do not use the same knife or cutting board to cut meats and other foods that are meant to be served raw.
- Store countertop appliances so that the cords don’t dangle down. You don’t want your child to pull a heavy coffee maker down on their head.
- Monitor the pantry and fridge for food spoilage and dispose of spoiled food promptly. Opting for freeze dried food packs can cut down on pantry spoilage since these have a long shelf life.
- Clean up spills promptly so there aren’t any slips and falls.
Bathroom TipsAfter the kitchen, the bathroom is the next place to focus your cleaning efforts for a healthy home. The germs that collect in the bathroom aren’t usually good for a child’s health, so there is no need to worry about compromising the immune system by cleaning the bathroom too often. The following tips will help you keep the bathroom sanitary:
- Wipe down faucets, light switches, and door handles once daily with a disinfecting spray to keep germs from spreading. Increase this to after every use if someone in the house is sick.
- Scrub the toilet thoroughly and disinfect it at least once weekly. You may need to do this more often if someone is sick or if you have a little one with poor aim.
- Wipe out the bathtub after each use. If bathing a young child or someone that is ill, use a disinfecting wipe. Otherwise, disinfect once weekly.
- Sweep daily and mop once weekly with a disinfecting floor solution.
Combating AllergiesUnlike germs, where some exposure is healthy, allergens aren’t healthy at all if your child has an allergy. Instead, you need to do your best to prevent as many allergens as possible. There are 5 key ways that you can do this:
- Switch to HEPA filters in your air conditioner and furnace. This will prevent pollen and mold spores from being blown into rooms.
- Schedule regular appointments with a carpet and upholstery cleaner. Shampooing the soft surfaces in your home removes allergens.
- Dust regularly so that dust mites and pollen doesn’t build up.
- Use allergy covers on mattresses and pillows to prevent dust mite and mold spore exposure.
- Disinfect damp areas with a bleach solution to cut down on mold spores.
A clean house is important to the health of your child, but there is no reason to stress about your home’s cleanliness unless there is illness or other health conditions concerned. Instead, put into place daily and weekly routines that keep your home reasonably clean while still allowing you time to live your life.