New Baby? Safe Alternatives to Household Chemicals

A new baby usually prompts the desire to have a sterilized house.  They say women "nest" when they are pregnant by scouring and scrubbing to exhaustion.

Once the baby arrives a new fear arises. Are these cleaning chemicals safe for my baby to breathe?  Should I keep such dangerous chemicals in the house where my child might somehow get a hold of them?

Poisonings happen every day. In 1998 alone, more than 2.2 million human poison exposures were reported to poison control centers in the United States, and each year, nearly 900,000 visits to the emergency room occur because of poisonings. 

Most poisonings happen in the home and involve children. In 1998, 92% of all poisonings occurred in the home, and 53% involved children under the age of six years.

Here are a few natural solutions to those household chemicals that can prove deadly.

Natural deodorizes

Closet deodorizer

Pierce an orange with cloves and hang from the rod in a closet.

Air Freshener

Simmer water on the stovetop and add your favorite fragrance like vanilla, cinnamon, orange slices 

Carpet Deodorizer

Sprinkle baking soda over the carpet and vacuum.

Test an area first

(Never put baking soda on a wet spot.)

Garbage disposal freshener

Pour 1/2 box of baking soda into the garbage disposal and allow to sit to absorb any odors.

Natural Cleaners

Grease Cutter

Vinegar is a natural grease cutter.  Add it to dishwater, countertop cleaning and glass cleaners.

Dishwater spot remover

Add a few teaspoons of vinegar to dishwater to help remove spots

Natural Scrubber

Baking Soda is a natural scouring powder. Sprinkle it from the box and use on pans, sinks, tubs & countertops.

All Purpose Mildew Cleaner

The perfect natural combination of lemon juice and sunshine is usually powerful enough to kill mildew.

-Jenna Remilard
Staff Editor

Jenna Remilard writes between homeschooling her two children and caring for her household tucked away in the backwoods of rural New England .