Spring is here and we are all trying to do our spring cleaning. With toddlers around, it is important that everyone remember to use caution when cleaning. Let’s look at some spring cleaning tips for parents and grandparents with toddlers in the home.
Cleaning with Toddlers
*Never leave spray bottles of cleaners within a toddler’s reach. They may spray the cleaner into their eyes or even swallow some of the cleaner! It is best to always put the bottle on a high shelf, the top of the refrigerator or some other high place while cleaning.
*Do not use strong fragrances around toddlers. The strong scent of pine or citrus scented cleaners can be hard to breathe around if you have allergies or asthma. Toddlers may be more sensitive to smells than you are. Consider the strength of the fragrance when they are around.
*Refrain from using mop buckets or leaving water in the bathtub or sink while cleaning. Your toddler could drown in as little as 2 inches of water and could, of course, reach these places and ingest any water you may have added a cleaner to. This could have devastating results.
*Never let your toddler help by wiping down counters or items with a sponge or rag soaked in cleaner. Toddlers are not old enough to know not to taste, bite or lick the sponge or rag. Even if you feel that they wouldn’t put it in their mouth, toddlers hands are more sensitive to abrasive cleaners than ours. It isn’t a good idea to let them touch the cleaning supplies.
*Do let your toddler help by sorting like items into piles, picking up toys, rinsing items with plain tap water or packing items into boxes that are being donated or stored.
Spring cleaning is essential but also dangerous. Everything is a danger to toddlers and parents must keep this in mind. By cleaning out unwanted and unused or old items from your home, you’ll make more space and have less stress from clutter. Your toddler can definitely help but safety measures must be taken.
Grab the duster, some boxes and a trash bag and let’s get to work. Let your toddler pack unwanted toys into a box to donate to your local thrift or consignment store.
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