You might want to hide this post from the kids, or else I’ll be hearing a chorus of “Gee, thanks” from them. One of the biggest benefits I’ve found in switching to natural household cleaners is that they’re not only safer to use around children, they’re safe for children to use themselves.
Before I switched to green cleaners, cleaning felt like a clandestine operation. I avoided cleaning while my children were in the room because I didn’t want them inhaling fumes or grabbing a spray bottle out of my hands. (That happened once—one spray of Formula 409 ended up in a child’s mouth and prompted my first call to poison control. They reassured me it wasn’t a serious issue.) As a result, most cleaning happened late at night or during rare nap times.
Now that I use cleaners made largely from ingredients intended for the body, the kids can help tidy up the messes they make.
It takes a little encouragement and a playful presentation, but anything they can do for themselves means one less thing on my to-do list and more time together. One child loves the squeegee, so that child “gets” mirrors and windows cleaned with a diluted vinegar solution or plain club soda. My five-year-old loves spray bottles and a small scrub brush I found just their size, so they take on bathroom sinks and counters using an all-purpose spray made from gentle castile soap or a mild biodegradable cleaner. The results may not be as streak-free as when I do it, but practice builds skill and independence.
As a starting chore, kids can clean their own toys with non-toxic green cleaners — an easy way to turn a chore into playtime.
When children use these mild solutions, it’s not a problem if a little residue remains on surfaces. The formulas are non-toxic, there are no harmful fumes, and if some spray lands on or near a child there’s no need to call poison control. That said, I don’t recommend anyone drink castile soap or concentrated cleaner—ingesting such products can cause stomach upset. Also wait until a child is coordinated enough to spray away from their face before giving them a spray bottle to use.
I do mix cleaning solutions myself because some ingredients—especially essential oils—are potent at full strength. Handling those components in the correct dilutions keeps things safe for the whole family.
It took me a while to realize these solutions were kid-friendly. That change has reshaped how our family approaches household tasks. Knowing my children can safely participate made me comfortable cleaning in their presence sooner, and it allowed them to begin learning how to care for a home. My hope is that by involving them in cleaning the messes they make, they’ll become more mindful about avoiding those messes in the first place. Time will tell.
Note: That five-year-old now towers over me!
Further reading
- Sal Suds Dilution Cheat Sheet
- Dilutions Cheat Sheet for Liquid Castile Soap
- Sal Suds or Castile Soap – Which to Use?
- GIY All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
*Peppermint and eucalyptus are not recommended for children under 3 years of age, as the strong sensation from those scents can be overwhelming.