Ventilation and
circulation
A well-ventilated house inhibits the growth of mould and
mildew, which can otherwise be harmful to a young baby’s health and lead to
breathing difficulties.
Open windows and sunlight will help evaporate moisture from
surfaces. Always use the kitchen fan when cooking and the bathroom fan when
showering. Clean any mould as soon as it appears, and dry any water and other
spills as soon as they occur. Dehumidifiers can also be set up to reduce the
moisture in damp parts of the house.
If you use an evaporative cooler or humidifier, clean their
moisture reservoirs daily with soap as these can house mould and bacteria.
Use non-toxic
cleaners and household remedies
There are many cleaning products on the market with
eco-friendly and non-toxic credentials that are alternatives to the old staples
of kitchen sink cupboards.
However you can get some great cleaning results with common
household ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, salt and lemon juice. You can also
mix greater quantities of these and fill up old spray bottles so that you
always have them on hand.
These and other household cleaning remedies are inexpensive,
don’t cost the environment and won’t leave harmful chemical residues.
Insecticides and pest
killers
Remove all cockroach traps and rat poisons from your household
as these can resemble food or toys. Avoids using insect sprays as these can
settle into surfaces that your baby’s mouth can come into contact with (like
cushions and couches). Opt for chemical-free deterrents such as bug zappers and
flyscreens, and never leave uncovered food out. Cleaning your kitchen surfaces,
regular rubbish removal and cleaning your pets bowls will help keep cockroaches
at bay.
Open windows
Especially in the nursery, don’t leave windows open if
anyone in the house smokes or you can smell cigarette smoke from your
neighbours. Be conscious of ambient noise too as this can disrupt your baby’s
sleep patterns.
Dust
Dust can lead to breathing difficulties and exacerbate
existing conditions. If your house is carpeted, ensure that you vacuum it
regularly after having dusted any surfaces beforehand.
Be wary of clutter, too, which can gather and conceal large
amounts of dust. Make the most of your storage space – whether that’s
cupboards, chests or drawers – to reduce the surface area on which dust can
gather.
Storing cleaning
products