Kids in the kitchen? Concerned about chemicals in kitchen cleansers? What about the germ factor? The dangers of food borne illnesses are very real. Kids put their hands literally everywhere. They’re like little germ magnets. Are chemicals like chlorine bleach the answer, though? Are there alternatives for killing germs that aren’t so hazardous to kids’ health?
Plain soap and water leaves friendly germs unscathed.
Kids should use it in place of hand sanitizer. Why? Isn’t it better to use something that kills all the germs? Wouldn’t that be more sanitary? Not always. You see, hand sanitizer kills a high percentage of germs. That includes beneficial germs. It also prevents kids from building immunity to the “bad” germs they contact daily.
Citrus isn’t just fresh, it cuts grease and kills germs.
Many households use citrus based cleaners for grease in the kitchen. Unfortunately, not all of these are safe. Many contain harmful chemicals you don’t want your kids to come in contact with. Thankfully, you can easily make your own orange cleaner by soaking peels in clear vodka or vinegar for a couple weeks. Then, just mix with water and spray.
No time for that?
Simply squeeze a lemon, dilute with water and spray. Grease wipes off easily.
Thyme is a superior disinfectant.
There will be times when kids need to use something more powerful in the kitchen. For example, cleaning up after cooking meat products requires a good disinfectant. Rather than reaching for chlorine based products, hand them a natural cleaner made with thyme extract. Thyme is just as effective as chlorine bleach at killing germs, without the chemical hazards.
Vinegar and water cleans glass without harmful chemicals.
When kids (or adults) use spray cleaners, they inhale some of the contents. Window cleaning spray is usually ammonia based. Who wants their kids breathing in ammonia when they clean glass kitchen surfaces? A mixture of vinegar and water cleans glass streak free. As an added bonus, vinegar is a disinfectant too.
Baking soda makes a fine non-toxic surface scrub.
Most sink scrubs contain chlorine bleach along with other harsh chemical abrasives. Baking soda is a toxin free alternative to conventional powdered cleansers. Concerned about its’ germ fighting capabilities? Simply have kids scrub and rinse. Then they can follow up with thyme cleaner or vinegar and water.
Got a big mess that needs a little sizzling action?
Dust the surface with baking soda. Then, spray on vinegar for a scrubbing bubbles type reaction kids will love. Let it sit, then wipe.
What can replace toxic drain cleaner when kids clean?
Vinegar and baking soda can also foam away grease in your kitchen drains. Regular maintenance keeps drains free of build up. Kids won’t mind doing this weekly kitchen cleaning task. It’s like a science experiment to them. Just have them pour ¼ cup of baking soda into the drain and follow it with a cup of vinegar. Once the bubbling subsides, they just rinse the drain with water.
More from Jaipi:
Are Fabric Toxins Lurking in Your Kids’ Clothes and Bedding?
Five Easy Clean Strategies for Kids’ Rooms
Keep Kids Healthy in Winter with Citrus
