Essential Steps to Clean for Baby’s First Day Home
While newborn babies don’t need to be in a super-sterile environment, it is still important for your home to be clean to ensure they don’t get sick. Here are a few cleaning tips you can use before bringing your new baby home.
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Dust
The first thing you should do is dust. Not only will it make the home feel so much cleaner, but it will also drastically improve your air quality. You don’t have to do anything special here; just remember to dust from top to bottom to ensure you can vacuum up any excess easily.
In addition, if you live somewhere that is prone to dust or pollen, investing in one of the many Alen air purifiers will ensure your home is filled to the brim with clean and fresh air.
Vacuum
The next thing you need to do is thoroughly vacuum everywhere. Be sure to do this after you dust, and take the time to move furniture, carpets, etc, and vacuum in all the spaces you can’t usually reach.
If you have tiles, vacuum first before you map, as it will make it far easier to clean up any dirt that is left over.
Carpets
If you have any rugs or carpets, there are two options for you to clean them. You can either use a high-powered vacuum to give them a deep clean, or, and the better option, to have them professionally cleaned to ensure all the dirt and dust is completely removed.
Focus on Areas They Can Reach
While newborns won’t be ready to crawl or walk just yet, while they are at home, there will be plenty of places for them to touch. This will include spaces in their nursery, in the kitchen, and in the lounge.
This won’t require a lot of time and effort, and you may not need to do it at all, but just quickly think about where they will be and clean those areas.
The Kitchen
Cleaning the kitchen is another important step for two reasons. Firstly, you are going to be doing a lot more dishes and cleaning in general once you have another human in your home, and secondly, you need it to be clean to keep your baby’s bottles and bowls as clean as possible.
While you should still sterilize bottles and dummies, it is important to keep them somewhere dust and dirt free. You can also invest in a storage container for them just to be on the safe side.
Dishwasher
If you have a dishwasher, it is best to give it a full clean. Remove and clean any filters, give it a good scrub, and sterilize it as much as you can. Once again, you are going to be doing a lot more dishes, and it is best to start with a fresh slate.
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Use Toxin-Free Liquids
Cleaning liquids that are packed with toxic or strong chemicals isn’t good for anyone, let alone a baby. Because of this, it is better to invest in organic and environmentally friendly cleaning liquids.
It is also fairly easy to make your own if you so wish, but buying them is even better, and you will quickly realize that they do an equally good job, but they are substantially better for you and your family’s health.
Dehumidify
Mold is another issue that you may face, and it can be incredibly bad for your lungs. It is typically more common in cold and wet climates, such as in the UK, however, it is fairly easy to deal with and prevent.
Firstly, inspect your ceilings and window frames and make sure it isn’t already present; if it is, there are plenty of mold cleaners on the market. Once the problem is dealt with, invest in a dehumidifier to remove the excess moisture in your house.
If you don’t want to get mini dehumidifying buckets or sponges that can be used in small spaces. While not as effective, they will do the job for small amounts of moisture.
Clean All Baby Gear
The day before the baby gets home, take all of their clothes, bibs, blankets, and linen and give it all a good wash. You have most likely had these items for several weeks, even months, and they are probably covered in a thin layer of dust.
The simple fix is to throw it all in the washing machine and give them a good clean. Be sure to use washing liquid and softener that is gentle on the skin, but other than that, you don’t need to do anything special.
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Pets
If you have pets, it is best to take the time and clean their beds and blankets. Once again, a little bit of pet dander and hair won’t cause too many issues, but it is more about making your environment hygienic, not necessarily completely sterile.
While you’re doing that, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to give your pets a wash, as they are most definitely going to be interested in the new baby, and it will save you a lot of bath time if your pets are clean and not covering your baby in dirt.
