The use of green cleaning solutions in daycare centers is extremely crucial. Most parents place high importance on a daycare’s cleanliness factor when it comes to choosing a place where they can leave their child. As such, daycare centers must adopt a health friendly cleaning program that benefits all those concerned. In fact, several organizations have launched their campaign, encouraging the use of sustainable cleaning practices in Ridgewood schools.
Green Cleaning Practices for Daycare Centers
Color Coding Cleaning Cloths
The use of colors when it comes to cleaning has been widely used in various industries, as it helps in distinguishing which clothes can be washed and reused. Generally, you can use blue for cleaning bathrooms, purple for wiping tables, green for pantry sanitation, and yellow for dusting furniture. Use a paper towel for wiping floor spills.
Making Homemade Detergent
While it can be a tedious process, making homemade washing detergent can be a sustainable alternative one can apply in daycare centers. One of the best recipes that are proven to be effective in cleaning out tough germs is the Castile laundry detergent. You only need ½ cup Castile soap, one cup of borax, and washing soda. Mix them in a food processor and store in a container with a lid. This detergent can be used every time someone uses a changing table for nappy changes. The use of bleach should only be on an as-needed basis and must be diluted, so it is not too strong on the surfaces that you need to use it on. Sometimes, using bleach can cause skin reactions in toddlers, so use it sparingly.
Improving Air Quality
In daycare settings, it would be useful to practice ventilating the rooms every single day, especially during days when the rate of viral infection is high. Using diluted lemon essential oils in spray bottles is advisable to freshen up the circulating air.
Minimizing the Use of Antibacterial Cleaners
In recent years, there has been a campaign about increasing awareness of the use of antibacterial cleaners. Many experts believe that these products are only becoming a breeding ground for super germs or highly resistant germs that would no longer respond to antibiotics. As such, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discourages the use of antibacterial soaps and hand cleansers because they are not superior to soap and water in cleaning but only create resistant germs.
Using Suitable Disinfectants
Contrary to popular belief, the use of disinfectants is a green practice. While there are no EPA-approved disinfectants yet, some of these products are actually much safer to use. Make sure to check the ingredients used in disinfectants to see whether they are safe for use in areas where young children can be exposed.
When using disinfectants in daycare centers in Ridgewood, it would be best to do it on weekends, where children would not be around for at least two days. This way, they won’t be able to inhale chemicals that may affect their respiratory system. Before they go back, make sure to allow the rooms to have good air quality by ventilating them well.
Using Vinegar and Baking Soda to Save the Day
Whenever there are tough stains that you need to deal with, it would be best first to use vinegar and baking soda before using commercial cleaning products that may contain harsh chemicals.
Being in charge of cleanliness in a daycare center means that you have to take into consideration the health of the children while staying environmentally friendly. Thankfully, there are various organic and sustainable cleaning products that you can use. In fact, many cleaning services are now offering green cleaning alternatives when providing services to their clients.