5 DIY Cleaning Solutions Safe For You And Baby!

Whether you're trying to conceive, currently pregnant, or have a new baby crawling through your house, we're guessing that you're looking for ways to limit your exposure to chemicals and harmful toxins. A great way to do that is by taking a look at your household cleaning products and seeing where you can introduce more natural (and baby-safe) ingredients.

A 2012 study by the Environmental Working Group found that 53% of common cleaners contained chemicals that are believed to be carcinogenic and harmful to respiratory health. We know, it sounds scary, but try looking at it with a positive spin. We think findings like these are great opportunities for informing yourself about what's safe and what's not and learning how to make healthier choices when shopping for products.

Ultimately, it's a great excuse to bring natural, cleaner, and greener products into your home and daily habits. But we also know that organic, cleaner products can come with a higher price tag and can sometimes be hard to find. And how do you really know if it's still safe or not? Don't you worry, we've got it covered.

We've got 5 incredibly simple DIY recipes for making your own safer household cleaning solutions. These recipes call for natural ingredients that you can find right in your kitchen pantry. Not only will you reduce your exposure to potential toxins, using biodegradable and natural ingredients is better for the environment, and DIY solutions can save you a lot of money in the long run. Short of actually cleaning your house for you, these 5 safe and all-natural DIY cleaning solutions can pretty much do it all.

5 DIY cleaning solutions safe or you and baby:

1. All-Purpose Disinfectant

Overuse of disinfectants that use harsh chemicals to kill bacteria can actually lead to strains of bacteria that are stronger and more resistant over time.

What you'll need:

• Spray bottle

• Warm water

• White vinegar

• Fresh lemon juice

• Tea tree oil

• Essential oil (optional)

What to do: Combine 1 cup warm water, 1 cup white vinegar, 4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, and several drops of tea tree oil into a spray bottle. You can also add a few drops of an essential oil such as lavender or eucalyptus to balance out the smell of the vinegar. Shake to mix and use as multi-purpose cleaner.

2. Old-fashioned wood polish

Traditional wood polishes are often made with formaldehyde (not so good) - so it's best to keep these products out of your home altogether. If you have any wooden furniture that needs sprucing up, all you need is two simple ingredients.

What you'll need:

• Olive oil

• Fresh lemon juice

• Microfiber cloth

What to do: Add 1 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice to a glass bottle and mix to emulsify. Apply a small amount of the solution to a microfiber cloth and buff it into wood surfaces.

3. Floor Cleaner for Crawling Babies

It's impossible to keep your floors perpetually clean, but it's also impossible to stop your baby from crawling all over and exploring the world around him or her. When you do get the chance to clean your floors, opt for this baby-safe solution.

What you'll need:

• Large bucket

• Warm water

• White vinegar

• All-natural liquid soap

What to do: Mix 1 gallon warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar and a generous teaspoon of all-natural liquid soap in a large bucket. Soak a clean mop in the solution and use to clean your floors. This is safe on wood, laminate, and most tile flooring. For marble, stone, or ceramic floors you'll want to swap out the vinegar and liquid soap for a few drops of pH-neutral soap.

4. Multi-Use Bathroom Duty 

Bathrooms tend to need the most attention, and this DIY cleaning solution will serve all of your bathroom needs when it comes to the toilet, tub, and tile.

What you'll need:

• Baking soda

• White vinegar

• Liquid soap

• Water

• 2 cloths

What to do for the toilet: Sprinkle enough baking soda to coat the inside edge of your toilet bowl. Pour 1 cup of white vinegar over the baking soda and scrub the bowl with a toilet brush. Allow to sit for 20 minutes before flushing.

What to do for tub and tile: Combine 1-1/2 cups baking soda with 1/2-cup liquid soap and 1/2-cup warm water in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly and then add 2 TBSP of white vinegar. Using gloves and a cloth, apply this mixture to your tub and tile and scrub thoroughly. Let sit for 5 minutes and then rinse away with warm water and a clean cloth.

5. Streak-free Shine For Windows and Mirrors

There's nothing worse than getting the whole house cleaned from top to bottom and realizing your glass surfaces are streak, spotty, and smudged. You can keep your windows sparkling clean and marvel at spotless mirrors with this easy recipe!

What you'll need:

• Spray bottle

• White vinegar

• Cornstarch

• Warm water

• Microfiber cloth

What to do: Add 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 cups of warm water, and 1 TBSP of cornstarch to a spray bottle and shake to mix thoroughly. Spray on glass surface and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.

Want more tips and advice on living a healthier lifestyle? Check out our app and follow us for regular inspiration @baby2bodyofficial!

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