DIY Network

Maintaining a Clean Environment for Baby Maintaining a Clean Environment for Baby From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-128

Even the cleanest home can come under suspicion when a new baby is added to the mix. Suddenly everything you thought was clean is seen in a whole new light when you realize that nothing is safe from little fingers and mouths. And about those cleaning products you've always used: have you ever really wondered what chemicals you were putting into your environment? Let's take a look at some tried-and-true Queen-approved techniques to keep your home clean and baby-safe.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

• Babies can amuse themselves for hours with the right toys, but before putting them down on a floor to play spread out a clean sheet or blanket. Keeping the baby on a blanket protects her from the dirt and dust that might be on the floor and keeps the toys, which will certainly come in contact with her mouth, cleaner and safer for playtime (figure A).

• Wash baby clothing separately from the family laundry, using a detergent made especially for babies. A baby's skin is extremely soft and sensitive, and most detergents are simply too harsh for such delicate skin.

• Before polishing baby shoes, rub a section of cut potato over the shoes, or apply a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to the shoes (figure B). Allow the cleaned surface to dry, then polish. The polish will go on smoother. Apply clean nail polish to scuffed areas to protect and make them easier to clean in the future.

• Clean stuffed animals by putting them in an appropriate-sized zippered plastic bag. Sprinkle in a generous amount of either baking soda (best for deodorizing) or cornstarch and shake to distribute around the stuffed animal (figure C). Leave animal in the bag, shaking periodically for two days, then take the bag outside, remove the animal from the bag and brush off the powder residue.

• Small, hard-surfaced toys, teething rings and rattles can be cleaned in the top rack of the dishwasher (figure D).

• Wash bumper and changing pads with regular detergent, 1/4 cup white vinegar and approximately 1/2 cup borax for a completely safe and natural way to clean and deodorize baby bedding.
  

Tip: For an odor-free nursery, sprinkle baking soda inside the diaper pail after every cleaning.