With spring comes blooming flowers, warmer weather, and a desire (whether you’d like to or not) to clean out and clean up around the house. Mother’s expecting a little one may feel this urge even stronger due to a natural response of wanting to clean up in preparation for the pitter patter of little feet. But, before getting swept away in sprucing things up, you should know the best practices for prepping your home for the arrival of a newborn. Lucky for you, there are plenty of helpful tips and simple things you can do beforehand, so you can be worry free when you bring your sweetheart home.
It’s no secret that things don’t always go according to plan, especially when it comes to newborn tykes that can get sick easily, have accidents, and literally get out of hand as they begin to mobilize. So, when cleaning for baby’s arrival, remember that it’s not quite the same as normal housekeeping and some extra precautions should be taken. A great place to begin is by clearing out any clutter that may be around your home. An untidy home can be dangerous, and removing things like big items in the way or fragile glasses and china will ensure a safe environment (all while making it much easier to clean the rest of your home)! Now that you have room to work with, it’s a good idea to begin dusting around your home. Some common dust collectors are vents, baseboards, ceiling fans, and light fixtures, and being proactive can help protect your little one’s lungs from an illness or allergy.
Before getting too deep into cleanup, you should think about the kinds of cleaning products you are using. Avoid the use of harsh chemicals that may damage your baby’s skin and instead look for eco-friendly or natural cleaning products. Some safer alternatives are using distilled white vinegar, baking soda, and other natural cleaning solutions. Steam cleaners are also another great way to sanitize lots of surfaces, from carpet to ovens to glass, all without the use of chemicals that could be more toxic towards your baby. If you are ever unsure of which products to use, you can always reach out to a reputable cleaning company for advice; they may even sell some natural, chemical-free products themselves.
Now that you’ve got the right supplies, there are a few key places to tidy up that you may not have thought about. For one, make sure not to neglect the bathroom or the kitchen. These are two places where we tend to spend a lot of our time, and, as we know, a new baby means more dishes, laundry, and filth. Easy things to take care of are replacing old bath mats, scrubbing down soap racks, and washing or replacing shower curtains. You may also think about those places you don’t clean often that might be at a baby’s level—like the base of the toilet or sanitizing around the dishwasher and laundry machines. Other actions like leaving your shoes at the front door, tracking in less dirt, or opening some windows to improve air quality can also help lessen the risk of germs and bacteria in your home. That being said, new tots are pretty tough! Your house doesn’t need to be sparkling, so don’t overdo it, mom!
Of course, this whole thing is a process and shouldn’t be tackled in one day. Be sure to take plenty of breaks, take it one room at a time, and be good to yourself! Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family or even a cleaning company if you have the means to do so. Sure, it is hard work, but it is completely worth it when you take that well-deserved break from everything else and bond with your beautiful baby.
Safe Space