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6 eco-friendly cleaning products that are safe and non-toxic for families

When you bring a baby into the world, you want to protect them from every breath of pollution and every touch of a chemical. While they’re bound to get some scraped knees over the years, you can check your home cleaning products off the list of what might harm them by choosing non-toxic cleaning products. From floor cleaner to dish soap, you make dozens of product choices for home cleaning that can be changed to stay away from products with potentially harmful chemicals. You can even feel safer about involving your kids in their first chores!

You also want to help preserve the planet they’ll be inhabiting for decades to come, so choosing eco-friendly cleaning products is almost as important to keep your kids safe long-term and do the right thing for pitching in. Many times these two things go hand in hand– when you buy something without harsh chemicals, it’s good for your baby’s skin and health but also good for the planet, so that those chemicals are never absorbed into the ground or our water.

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Non-toxic cleaning products

ECOS Non-Toxic Hypoallergenic Dish Soap

You can feel safe using this dish soap on the plates your kids will eat off of. It’s free of dyes and perfumes but comes in almond, apricot, free & clear, grapefruit, lavender, or pear scent from natural sources. The soap is vegan, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, cruelty-free, biodegradable, pH balanced, and gluten-free, and the packaging is recyclable and is even manufactured in a carbon-neutral and water-neutral facility. It is certified by the EPA to be a safer choice for the environment and for human health. It still cuts through grease for a powerful clean while being gentle on hands.

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Better Life Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

This all-purpose unscented cleaner can be used on floors, walls, countertops, tiles, tables, showers, toilets, appliances, baseboards, cars, toys, sports equipment, and even upholstery — any surface that is water-safe or upholstery marked “W” or “W/S,” and any non-porous surface around the house. It’s made of plant-based, biodegradable ingredients like soap bark, corn, and coconut. The only scent comes from fruit extracts. There are no added dyes, synthetic fragrances, parabens, alcohol, or ethers, and it was never tested on animals.

Aunt Fannie’s Floor Cleaner Vinegar Wash

Break out the mop with this floor cleaner to get “floors clean enough to eat off of, seriously” (though they also say “please don’t,” of course). Just mix half of cup of this “people-friendly, pet-friendly” solution per two gallons of water to use on sealed floors, including hardwood, tile, concrete, linoleum, vinyl, and laminate. The vinegar dissipates naturally and leaves behind a scent from essential oils mixed in–choose between lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, lime mint, or mandarin.

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TriNova Natural All Purpose Cleaner

This all-purpose cleaner is safe for any surface, including toys. Use it on glass, toilets, floors, countertops, walls, stovetops, mirrors, and more. The scent of white tea and thyme extract is refreshing and every ingredient is plant-based. The hundreds of 5-star reviews speak for themselves!

Sheets Laundry Club Laundry Detergent Sheets

Your kids can help with the laundry without any liquid detergent to spill or trying to put dangerous pods in their mouths with these laundry detergent sheets. Just put a dissolvable sheet in with the wash cycle, and this unique product will clean your clothes with a hypoallergenic formula for sensitive skin. There’s no plastic bottle packaging so it’s better for the environment, plus it is vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, dye-free, and biodegradable. It works on any color, any material, and any temperature water. These eco-friendly sheets are even septic-safe.

Babyganics All Purpose Surface Wipes

If you’ve had an infant you’ve gone through enough wipes for a lifetime, but they’re still really convenient for wiping up the table after dinner. Even though using a rag is more eco-friendly than a paper towel or a wipe that gets thrown away after one use, sometimes parents just need to go with convenience for a few messy years and can still make the most eco-friendly choices within that compromise. These wipes don’t have ammonia, bleach, phthalates, fragrances, or sulfates, so you can feel good about using them on your surfaces.

With these six products, you’ll be well on your way to stocking your home with cleaning products that are kid-safe and planet-friendly so that you can worry about one less thing. The health and safety of your family are something you can’t take for granted, and these non-toxic products will help you protect them.

Sarah Prager
Sarah is a writer and mom who lives in Massachusetts. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, National…
Family fun: Your kids will love these springtime activities
Get ready to rock spring with these family fun activities
Family out for a bike ride in the woods

Spring is in full swing, but just because the school breaks are over doesn't mean the family fun has to stop. Weekends in April and May are earmarked for family fun activities. Sure, Mother Nature does tend to rain on the parade sometimes, especially in April. Don't worry. That's why there's not a shortage of cool indoor and outdoor activities to get the family together and enjoy one another this season, regardless of the weather.
Family fun indoor activities
When those April showers hit, don't waste a weekend on the couch. There are always indoor family fun activities that are a great way to spend quality time together. Looking for spring places to enjoy? Try these.
Public library
Libraries aren't extinct and chances are your local library has a lot going on, especially during spring. A rainy day is a perfect pick to head to the library and see what programs are available. From crafts to family yoga and STEAM activities, public libraries are full of fun things to do for all. Even better is the price. The programs are free for library card holders. Don't have a library card? Sign up for one now.
Museums
A rainy spring day is an ideal time to check out one of the local museums in your area. Usually, you don't have to travel far to a historic or art museum. Nearby college campuses are also great places to find museums to explore.
Theater
A Broadway ticket can put a dent in the family budget, but local theaters don't have quite as high ticket prices. If you are looking for something different this spring, try checking out a local family-friendly theater production.

Family fun outdoor activities
When those spring temperatures start heating up and flowers begin to bloom, everyone gets an itch to be outside. Here are some family fun activities to enjoy outdoors this spring.
Bike paths
Bike riding around the neighborhood is always a blast, but spring is a wonderful time to explore an area bike path. Spring temperatures are just right for the kiddos to pedal a longer distance. Look for family-friendly bike paths or trails that aren't too long or hilly if you have younger riders. For tweens and teens, get them out there peddling in nature -- the longer the better. Tweens and teens will be proud of completing a path and will have great pictures to post. Just remember the snacks and plenty of water.
Tulip farm
Tulips are one of those wonders of spring that just make you smile. If you've never visited a tulip farm, make it a point to do it this spring before the petals fade away. Tulip farms are a stunning place to spend a sunny spring Saturday or Sunday. Some even allow visitors to cut their own, which the kiddos will love.
Hit the beach
If you live near the ocean or a lake, you know how crowded these destinations get in the summer. A warm spring day can be a lot of fun on the beach. Pack a lunch and sand toys, and don't forget the sunblock. April and May can be some of the best beach days for making sandcastles and playing with your dog without people getting in the way.
Hiking
Just like bike paths, spring is one of the best times of the year to do hikes. Flowers and trees are starting to bloom again, which makes for beautiful scenery during a family hike. Kids will enjoy a hike more without the higher temperatures and the insects that summer unusually brings.
April showers, May flowers
Spring is a wonderful time of year to plan some family fun activities. Just because breaks are over, and the kiddos are back in school, doesn't mean springtime fun has to stop. There are plenty of fun family indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy this spring, from tiptoeing through the tulips and getting a head start on those sandcastle designs to exploring new museums.

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Need to clean out the playroom? This is where you should donate toys
Need help on where to donate toys to tidy up your child's room? We have the local spots to go to first
A child's room that's a bit messy with toys and items all over

Between holidays, birthdays, and "just because" moments, the playroom and kids' bedrooms fill up pretty quickly with all sorts of items. If you want to declutter that toy room and get rid of the things your children no longer play with, donating will teach your kids to help others while letting you see the floor again. Instead of the places that are the usual stops for toy donations near you, try these other places first.
Local Buy Nothing group
If you don't know about your local Buy Nothing group, please look into it. It's a safe place to swap, give away, or ask for items or services completely free of charge. Sure, we'd all like to get a few bucks back from our child's toys, but if you don't want to go through that hassle, this is the best option. You don't even have to leave the house if you're more comfortable with porch pickups in your neighborhood.
Ask hospitals what they could use
Hospitals have tighter rules about what they can take, but it's never a bad idea to ask. The hospital would be the best for when you purchased something, it was the wrong size or item, and now you can't return it. Though items still in the packaging and with tags are always preferred, there are exceptions. Call and ask what your local hospital would take.
Reach out to local day cares/schools
If your children have ever gone to day care, you know how quickly they ask for donations. Day cares are open to more kinds of things, not just toys, so if you need to do a bit of an overhaul in your kids' rooms, ask your local day care facilities. The schools in your area are a great go-to, as well. Teachers always need classroom supplies, and the younger grades would need toys, books, and even clothing for when accidents happen.
Parent groups
Whether you're in a bunch of Facebook groups or are part of a group that meets in person, ask people you already know if they could use some toys your children have outgrown. You have a rapport with these other parents, and if you meet up in person, you could bring the items along and not have to make another stop.

Women's and children's centers in your area
For your donations to make a bigger impact, make sure women's and children's centers are on your list. If you were a struggling parent, you know how much it means to have a place like that to go to when in need. If you're a parent who doesn't have to struggle, pay it forward and count your blessings by donating to one.

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Why your kids should do their own spring cleaning – none of you will regret their little helping hands
Everyone benefits when the kids help with spring cleaning
Little girl cleaning her home

There are two types of people in this world: those who love spring cleaning and those who absolutely dread it. Let's face it, spring cleaning can be a daunting task because there's so much to tackle. Not only do you need to do your regular, everyday cleaning, but when it comes to spring cleaning, you also want to do a deep clean, declutter, and organize everything in sight. 

Quite honestly, it can be a lot for one or two people to take on. This is why it's important to include all members of the family when it comes time to roll up your sleeves. Involving all members of the family in spring cleaning, including your children, means you can divide the work and get things done faster. You'll also teach your kids a little something about responsibility and teamwork at the same time. Yes, those anti-cleaning cutie pies of yours should be an active part of this annual affair. 

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