When choosing cleaning products for a home with babies, I would encourage parents to look beyond the marketing.
Words such as ‘natural’, ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘plant-based’ can sound reassuring, but they don’t automatically mean a product is suitable for every household.
Essential oils are a good example. They’re natural, certainly, but some can irritate sensitive airways or be harmful if swallowed.
Instead, consider choosing products that are fragrance-free, appropriate for the surface you’re cleaning and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
And sometimes, you don’t need a specialist product at all.
For everyday cleaning, a few simple essentials can go a long way:
- Warm water and a little mild detergent are often perfectly adequate for removing everyday dirt from many surfaces.
- Microfibre cloths can help lift dust and dirt effectively, often with just water.
- Bicarbonate of soda can be useful for tackling certain stubborn marks and odours.
- White vinegar can help remove limescale and marks from glass, although it isn’t suitable for every surface and should never be mixed with bleach or other cleaning chemicals.
Of course, there are times when a suitable disinfectant is important, particularly where there has been illness or contamination. Homemade cleaners aren’t a substitute for proper disinfection when it’s needed.
The aim isn’t to eliminate every cleaning product. It’s to use what works, safely and thoughtfully.
Just One Swap: Small Changes That Make a Difference
This is exactly the thinking behind our Just One Swap series at Just Helpers.
We believe that making more conscious choices for our homes and the environment shouldn’t feel overwhelming or require us to change everything overnight.
Sometimes, it’s simply about making one better choice when the opportunity arises.
Perhaps your first swap is replacing a heavily fragranced cleaning spray with an unscented alternative.
Perhaps it’s moving away from disposable cleaning wipes and investing in washable microfibre cloths.
Or maybe it’s deciding that you don’t need a different cleaning product for every surface in your home.
One small swap. One manageable change.
And then, when you’re ready, perhaps another.
I particularly love this approach for new parents because it removes the pressure to get everything right immediately.
Progress, not perfection.
And importantly, it can be kinder to both your household budget and the environment.
If you have a cleaner or use a cleaning company, it’s also worth discussing which products are being used in your home.
At Just Helpers, our Helpers use the cleaning products provided by our clients. This means families can choose the products they’re comfortable with, while still enjoying the support of a professional cleaning service.
For new parents who are already juggling a thousand decisions, having that choice matters.
Candles, Air Fresheners and Other Household Toxins
Now, I have to confess something.
I love a candle.
There’s something rather lovely about lighting one at the end of a busy day, particularly when the evenings start drawing in.
But when there’s a new baby in the house, it’s worth thinking a little differently about how we create that cosy atmosphere.
Are Candles Safe to Use Around Babies?
Burning candles can release small particles and gases into the air, particularly when they produce visible smoke or soot.
That doesn’t mean every candle is dangerous, but it does mean reducing unnecessary smoke and fragrance is a sensible precaution, especially around babies.
And while soy, coconut and beeswax candles are often marketed as cleaner alternatives, no burning candle is completely emission-free.
Personally, I’d be inclined to save the candles for another time and consider other ways to create a lovely atmosphere.
A warm table lamp, some soft lighting or a favourite blanket can make a room feel just as welcoming.
Battery-operated candles are another option, provided they’re kept safely away from children and their batteries are securely enclosed.
Incense is also worth avoiding around babies because burning it produces smoke and airborne particles.
Sometimes the simplest alternatives are the nicest anyway.
Are Air Fresheners Harmful to Infants?
Air fresheners, plug-in fragrances, reed diffusers and scented sprays are all designed to release fragrance into the air.
Some contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can contribute to indoor air pollution or irritate sensitive airways.
Essential oil diffusers also need particular care because concentrated oils can be harmful if swallowed.
My suggestion?
Before reaching for an air freshener, ask what’s causing the smell in the first place.
Perhaps the bin needs emptying, the kitchen needs a wipe-down or the room simply needs some fresh air.
Often, dealing with the source of an odour is far more effective than covering it up.
And there’s something wonderfully refreshing about a home that simply smells clean, rather than artificially scented.
Indoor Air Quality
We often think of air pollution as something that happens outside, such as traffic fumes, busy roads and industrial emissions.
But the quality of the air inside our homes matters too.
Cooking, cleaning, heating, decorating and even some new furniture can introduce pollutants into indoor air.
This doesn’t mean we should worry about every activity in our homes. It simply means good ventilation is important.
A few practical habits can make a difference.
Open windows when it’s safe and practical, use extractor fans when cooking or showering, and make sure your home has adequate ventilation.
If you’re using a gas hob, an extractor fan that vents outside can help remove cooking pollutants.
If you’re decorating a nursery, consider choosing low-VOC paints and allowing plenty of time for the room to air before your baby arrives.
And keep an eye out for damp and mould.
These are particularly important issues in UK homes, especially during the colder months when we’re tempted to keep every window firmly shut.
I know opening windows in November isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, but a little fresh air can be a good thing!
Other Ways to Keep Your Home Healthier for Your Baby
Beyond cleaning products and ventilation, there are a few other everyday habits worth considering.
Houseplants are lovely for making a room feel welcoming, although their ability to purify indoor air in ordinary homes is often overstated. Enjoy them for the greenery and the pleasure they bring, rather than relying on them to remove pollutants. Just make sure any plants you choose are suitable for a home with young children and kept out of reach.
And here’s one of my personal favourites.
Shoes off at the front door!
I’m a big believer in having a no-shoes policy at home.
Just think about everywhere our shoes have been during the day. Pavements, public transport, shops, parks and goodness knows where else.
Taking them off at the door is such a simple way to avoid bringing some of that outdoor dirt onto our floors.
And when you have a baby who’s beginning to roll, crawl and explore, keeping floors clean becomes even more important.
It also has the rather lovely bonus of making home feel like somewhere you can properly relax.
Shoes off, kettle on. You’re home.
Other helpful habits include washing cleaning cloths regularly, keeping floors free from dust and debris, and cleaning high-touch surfaces appropriately.
Nothing complicated. Just small routines that help keep your home comfortable and hygienic.
Creating a Healthier Home Without Adding More Pressure
There’s something I really want to emphasise here.
Having a baby brings enough responsibility without feeling that every product in your home is another potential problem to solve.
You don’t need to replace everything you own.
You don’t need an entirely new collection of expensive cleaning products.
And you certainly don’t need to feel guilty because you haven’t managed to clean the kitchen floor today.
Start with the changes that feel manageable.
Perhaps that’s choosing a fragrance-free detergent, improving ventilation or swapping disposable wipes for reusable cloths.
Perhaps it’s finally sorting out that cupboard full of half-used cleaning products.
Or perhaps, for now, it’s simply accepting that you could do with a little help.
That’s perfectly reasonable too.
A healthier home isn’t just about reducing unnecessary chemical exposure. I believe it’s also about creating an environment where the people living in it feel supported, comfortable and able to enjoy being together.
And that includes the parents.
Cleaning Services for New Parents
There’s an old piece of advice given to new parents: ‘Sleep when the baby sleeps.’
Lovely in theory.
But when the baby finally settles, there’s often a mountain of washing, a kitchen that needs cleaning and approximately seventeen other things competing for your attention.
And that’s before you’ve had a chance to sit down with a cup of tea.
One of the things I feel strongly about at Just Helpers is that asking for help shouldn’t be seen as a luxury or a failure to cope.
Sometimes, having someone take care of the cleaning gives you back something far more valuable than a tidy house.
Time.
Time to rest, recover, spend with your baby or simply enjoy a moment when nobody needs anything from you.
Our Helpers support families across London, working with the cleaning products clients choose for their own homes.
We want our clients to feel confident about who’s coming into their home, comfortable with how it’s being cared for and reassured that the cleaning is one less thing to think about.
Because bringing a new baby home should be about getting to know this wonderful little person, not worrying about whether you’ve managed to mop the floor.
If a little practical support would make life easier, get in touch with Just Helpers.
And remember, when it comes to creating a healthier home for your baby, you don’t have to change everything.
Sometimes, just one swap is a very good place to start.
