Safe cleaning products with small chilod in the house.?

Question

OK so im trying to find out if there are any cleaning products(or household mixes) that are safe to use near my almost 1 year old? i know that vinager and water with newspaper work for windows and mirrors but what would work for hardwood floors, fridge, walls,doors and anything else that i will need to wash that my daughter can get her hands on. Oh and what works good to get set on stains out of clothing( my daughter loves to get dirty)

Answer 1

Congrats on a good and healthy choice. Little kids have so much growing to do that it's just not a good idea to have them inhaling chemicals all day.

There are a couple routes you can go:

1.) Homemade: There are hundreds of recipes for homemade cleaners online. You can mix up everything from toilet-bowl cleaner to metal polish. The primary ingredients tend to be vinegar, baking soda, etc., all safe for your daughter.

A simple Google search for "homemade nontoxic cleaners" turns up such lists as:

www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_soluti...

www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-ow...

www.greendaily.com/2007/12/30/12-non-t...

2.) Make smart choices at the grocery store.

Many grocery chains are beginning to realize we want greener, safe options. One of my groceries mixes nontoxic cleaners with other cleaners in the cleaning product aisle; another hides them in the organic section. Brands like Seventh Generation (www.seventhgeneration.com), Ecos (www.ecos.com) and Ecover (www.ecover.com) are all well-liked, safe brands that are often easy to find in chain stores. They make everything from nontoxic laundry detergent to safe powdered detergent for automatic dishwashers. Dr. Bronner's (www.drbronners.com) sells a great all-purpose house cleaner and wonderful, safe soaps. We love them and they can be used for everything from laundry to toothbrushing.

3.) Start using a specialty maker like Shaklee (www.shaklee.com). It's a home-based business, sold like Tupperware and Lia Sophia. They tout their safe, nontoxic cleaners. I've heard some people say further investigation showed they aren't as green as they say. Even if that's true, it's safer than most cleaning products out there.

For your set-in stains, consider Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds Liquid Cleaner. I don't use it yet (I'm going through a detergent stockpile) but have read reviews that say if you pre-treat stains with it, it'll get out blood and worse.

Final message: Cleaning product makers don't have to reveal their formulas. They can say they're certified green or that they're all natural and it doesn't have to mean anything because they don't have to back it up. Start checking labels. Green companies tell you what's in the product so you can judge or get certification that actually means something, so you can verify their safety. Not sure if a claim really means something? Pop it into the Eco Label finder (www.greenerchoices.org/eco-labels) that Consumer Reports created. One national cleaner has started putting a label on their bottle that makes them look safe and nontoxic, but they made up the word that acts as a certification. If they're the only ones policing them, how safe do you think it is?

Good luck!

Answer 2

~~If you have vinegar and baking soda upuu can pretty much clean everything. This website www.about.com  is great for cleaning recipes. Just put in vinegar, or baking soda, or wood florrs, etc. in the search box and it will bring up great natural recipes. You'll love it. Another one I have fun with is www.scottscommonsense.com  It's not as easy to search but it has awesome tips for everything from peole like you and me and I get great ideas on there. Give those a try too!

Answer 3

Found this for some help:

BASIC STAIN REMOVAL SUPPLIES



Ammonia

Alcohol (denatured or rubbing)

Amyl acetate (banana oil)

Baking Soda

Bar of Soap (without deodorant)

Bleach

-- Chlorine

-- Nonchlorine, all-fabric

-- Hydrogen Peroxide

-- Commercial color remover

Crystal Salts, such as Epson Salt

Detergent

-- Liquid

-- Powder

Dry-cleaning solvent or spot Remover

Pre-wash Products

-- Enzyme pre-soaks (ERA)

-- Enzyme-based stain sticks (Shout), (Spray 'n Wash)

-- Spray-type prewash soil / stain removers (Spray 'n Wash)

Rust Remover (Rit)

Sponge

Turpentine

White Vinegar



WARNING : Always read the label for fabric content washing instructions.



Treat stains properly. Fresh stains are easier to remove than old ones. If the stain is on a non-washable fabric, take it to the dry cleaner as soon as possible. Tell the dry cleaner the source of the stain.



Read and follow package directions when using any stain removal product. Always test stain removers on a napkin or other hidden part of the cloth for color fastness. To test, apply product and let stand 2-5 minutes, then rinse. If color changes, do not use product on fabric.



When using a bleach do not try to bleach just one area; bleach the entire tablecloth to prevent uneven color removal. When treating, place stained area face down on a clean paper towel or white cloth. Apply stain remover to the underside of the stain, forcing stain off the fabric surface instead of going through it. Never put chemical dry-cleaning solvents directly into the washer.



Thoroughly rinse and air dry areas treated with dry-cleaning solvents before placing in washer, to avoid fire. Do not mix stain removal products together. Some mixtures, such as ammonia and chlorine bleach, can produce noxious fumes. Always launder washable items after treating to remove residues of the stain and the stain remover. Have patience; it takes a little extra time and effort to remove some stains.



You will find that sprinkling ordinary table salt on particularly greasy stains the instant they happen, can profoundly reduce the chances of the stain setting.Likewise, soaking soiled table linens in a mild salt-water mixture immediately after use, can brighten their appearance, and make machine washing more effective. Jeffrey Thein, Miami Beach, Florida.

From here: http://www.butlersguild.com/index.php?su...

Answer 4

I have tried the vast majority of the non-chemical cleaning products are here are my favorites, all safe to use around your young child.

Mrs. Meyers all purpose cleaner- Works great on all floor types and you can mix it with water in a spray bottle and clean the kitchen from top to bottom.  They also make a counter top cleaner which works very well but it is pretty much the same as the all purpose and it's cheaper to mix that with water and make your own.  Check out their website.  If you order online this week you get a free bottle of dish soap with your $25 order.  You can also find their products in store, Whole Foods sells them.  Also my independent natural foods store sells them for less than the MRSP, so check around.  

Ecos Window Kleener- Comes in vinegar and lavender and is the best natural glass cleaner

Naturally Clean Tub and Tile- Nothing gets through soap scum like this stuff does, not even Tilex.  It comes in a small bottle but also has a fine mist and a little goes a long way.

Bon Ami-  The best all around powdered cleanser.  I use it for toilets (works better than toilet cleaner), sinks, tubs and even pot and pans because there are no chemicals.

Ecover makes the best dish washing products.  The soap cleans well and the tablets are the only natural product that works in the dishwasher without leaving powder residue.

Ecover non-chlorine bleach gets most things out, even stains from other detergents.

Ecover also makes the best laundry wash and fabric softener.  Both lightly scented and do not leave film/residue on clothes.

Don't bother with Clorox green works, they might have natural ingredients but still contain artificial colors and fragrance, which is not good to use around young kids.

Answer 5

Check into Method brand of cleaners.  I know they sell it at Target.  Look it up online.