We know that it's important to keep our homes clean for the health of our family. It always has been and it always will be. But it’s also important to remember that it’s virtually impossible to spray, wipe and hoover away every single germ that enters the household. After all, exposure to some bacteria and viruses is important for building our immune systems - especially those of our preschool kids!

But while it’s good to keep a balanced view of just how much to clean the house, there are some important steps, systems and procedures that will help you reduce the spread of infection and keep our little ones happy and healthy as they grow.

Let’s go over them:

How can I keep my child’s environment healthy?

Always take into consideration the type of chemicals you are using, as well as the schedule and method you are using for cleaning and sanitising.

Create a healthy routine for cleaning during the week. Change your child’s bedding once a week (if there has been no bed-wetting). Clean the washing machine once a month, the oven every six months, the toilet once a week, the fridge once every six months, towels once every two days, and so on.

Assign certain cleaning tasks to different members of the family so that everything gets done without too much fuss!

Making a disinfectant solution:

Use a bleach solution to clean surfaces.

To make a disinfecting solution, mix ¼ cup of bleach with one gallon of water or one tablespoon of bleach in one quart of water. (Check with your health department or licensing agency to make sure this complies with your local or state standards).

Make this solution daily, since sunlight can weaken its effectiveness.

Cleaning surfaces:

To clean a surface, you should use detergent and water. This will ensure that enough dirt will be removed for it to be sanitary.

Next, you should apply by dipping the object in a bleach solution or spraying from a spray bottle.

Allow the surface or object to air dry long enough to kill the germs. The minimum contact time should be two minutes.

Sanitising toys:

As some of your child’s most prized possessions, their toys are inevitably going to get dirty. Toys that your child has put in their mouth should be set aside after they have finished playing, then cleaned or put in the dishwasher. (Note that machine-washable toys can only be used by one child until they must be laundered.)

How can I keep the house sanitised if I have pets?

When you have pets, it’s a good idea to go to extra lengths to ensure that your home environment is clean and safe for your children.

Look out for signs that your child is allergic to your pet, such as sneezing, itchy skin, etc.

Remember to always wash your hands and make sure your child washes their hands after playing with or feeding the animals.

Don’t allow pets in areas where you prepare, eat, or store food.

Clean the pet's area frequently and wash your hands afterwards.

Do not allow your child to clean and maintain a pet’s cage.

Only use animal cages that have removable bottoms.

Top Tip: Help your child to learn and understand the importance of cleaning by engaging them in play. For example, go through the motions of encouraging them to practice washing through washing plastic dishes and foods. This way, they will learn the importance of keeping their toys clean.

Takeaway Points:

Cleanliness is necessary. Keeping our homes clean and sanitised is necessary to keep our children healthy and safe, but it’s important to remember that you cannot remove all germs.

Germs can be good! While creating a clean environment for your child is good, it’s equally as vital that you expose them to some bacteria as this will build up their immune system.

A routine is always helpful. Keeping a healthy routine for cleaning all the different objects in the house is important for keeping your child healthy.

Sanitising is important for play. While you want your child to have fun with their toys, sanitising them regularly is important for keeping them safe throughout their playtime.

Watch out for the pets! Taking extra measures to keep your house sanitised when you have pets is important for keeping your child safe.

How can I keep my child’s environment sanitary?

Unii stresses the importance of a clean environment for your child.