New parent’s guide to cleaning

If you’re coming into or recently inducted into parenthood, you already know that you’re in for an amazing time and a hell of a ride.  You’ll settle into your new baby cleaning routine soon enough, but in the meantime, we’ve got a guide to cover some essential ‘new parent cleaning’ tips.

Deodoriser for nappy bins

Babies are cute, but sometimes when they go number 2 (or number 3, or the dreaded number 4…) they have a special way of making a stink. You’ll come to realise soon enough that rose-coloured glasses won’t mask the smell of spent nappies and wipes. Keep baby changing areas smelling nice and fresh by cleaning the nappy bucket with a homemade deodoriser. There are plenty of recipes you can try online that use everyday household products like baking soda.

How to sterilise a bottle

It’s recommended by many health authorities to sterilise bottles before and after use, to ensure your baby is protected from unnecessary, harmful bacteria growth. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to sterilise items is to boil them.

To do this:

• Disassemble and clean the items as you normally would.
• Place them in a large saucepan with enough water to cover.
• Bring to a rapid boil for at least 5 minutes.
• Allow everything to cool, then carefully remove the bottle bits and drain them dry on a sterile bottle drying rack or surface.
• Store them safely for their next use.

You can use the same method for other items that’ll end up in your little one’s mouth, like dummies.

Pregnancy, Birth & Baby has more informative advice on cleaning and sterilising baby bottles.

Source: Lifefactory via Amazon

Cleaning cloth nappies

If you’ve chosen to go down the cloth nappy path, there are things you can do to ensure your baby has the cleanest, comfiest bottom around.

1. First, before putting anything in the washing machine, you should remove any solids (flush it or bin it).
2. Choose your detergent – you can help prevent rashes by using a sensitive skin detergent or by making your own using non-toxic, eco-friendly ingredients.
3. Most parents swear by a hot wash (two for extra nasty nappies).
4. Hang on the line to dry then finish the nappies off in the clothes dryer if you have one, to ensure they’re super sanitised and soft.

Stripping nappies

‘Stripping’ is a common term used to describe a method to get persistent stains out (urine, poop and even minerals from water). It involves soaking the offending nappies in a seriously hot tub of water mixed with a detergent appropriate to the material your nappies are made out of. You generally soak the nappies for up to 8 hours or overnight before draining the liquid and running them on a hot wash cycle.

Source: Wikimedia

The easiest way to clean a high chair

High chairs + baby + meal time = a complete mess! You will be forever cleaning up the high chair, the area around it, and potentially the room it sits in, so having an effective cleaning approach is a necessity. Multi-tasking while you do a good clean is a parenting win!

1. Once your little one is done eating (read: painting the high chair), use a warm, damp cloth to wipe as much gunk off the tray, chair ‘and everywhere’ that you can.
2. Spray the tray, handles, harness, straps and seat with a cleaning product of your choice (commercial or homemade).
3. Leave the chair for a minute or two: bath angel baby, call your mother, have a meal yourself…
4. Once the mess has somewhat ‘softened’, use a damp cloth with a splash of white vinegar to wipe away the mess and any residual product. It should come off nice and easy (if not, repeat).

Source: Pinterest

If you’d like some help getting your cleaning routine down pat from an experienced parent and domestic cleaner, or just want some help around the house when your baby arrives, you’ll find what you’re looking for on Airtasker’s cleaning network.