6 Spring Cleaning Tasks You Can Do While Babywearing
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What is it about spring cleaning that makes it feel so much more exciting than regular day-to-day cleaning? Maybe it’s the idea of “renewal” that puts an extra spring in our step when it comes time to pull out our mops and dusters as the seasons change. But if you have a new babe at home, you’re likely at their mercy, which may make your typical top-to-bottom routine a little more complicated than usual. That doesn't mean a spring tidy is off the table, though. Simply wrap baby in your Solly, and take on the tasks together. You might not be flipping mattresses or scrubbing toilets, but you might be surprised to find just how much you can check off your spring cleaning checklist with a babe in tow.
Vacuum
Let the white noise of the vacuum lull your little one to sleep. Vacuuming is a great task to do while babywearing because it doesn’t require a lot of bending over or intense movements that could wake your little one from their slumber.
Wash linens
Spring cleaning your linens means so much more than just putting fresh sheets on the bed. You’ll want to wash your curtains, your pillows, and even your mattress. And happily, you can do all of these while wearing your baby in their Solly Wrap or Loop Carrier. To clean the mattress itself, strip your bed of sheets and the mattress protector, and then use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to vacuum the surface of your mattress. Sprinkle baking soda on the surface of your mattress, wait 30 minutes to an hour, and then vacuum it up. .
Steam clean your microwave
Get rid of those pesky tomato stains once and for all. (Or at least until the next time there are chicken parmesan leftovers.) To clean your microwave, fill a large microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup of water and a quartered lemon, lime, or orange (or several tablespoons of vinegar) and stick it inside. Turn the microwave on high for several minutes or until the solution boils and the window is steamy. Let cool for five minutes before opening the door. Remove the bowl, and wipe the inside and outside of the microwave with a sponge.
Keep drains smelling fresh
To freshen drains (not unclog them) and help keep them free-flowing, mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup table salt. Pour the mixture down the drain, followed by 1 cup heated vinegar. Expect a satisfying foam and bubble. Let stand for no more than 15 minutes, then flush by running hot tap water for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
Spruce up curtains and throw pillows
Delegate the work to your dryer for this one! Toss drapes, curtains and even throw pillows in the dryer for 15 minutes on the "air-only" cycle, then rehang immediately to avoid wrinkles.
Sanitize toys
When it comes to cleaning toys, don't overlook the convenience of your dishwasher! For plastic toys, choose the quick cycle on your dishwasher and skip the heated dry. And don't forget about these other unexpected items you can clean in you dishwasher:
- Bathroom trash cans
- Soap dishes, toothbrush holders and other bathroom items
- Metal fixtures like gunky shower heads and faucets
- Light fixture globes made of glass and acrylic
- Fridge shelves
- Cabinet and drawer hardware
- Switch plates and outlet covers
- Exhaust fan covers
Boom. You just cleaned so many things with the push of a button and a sweet babe close to your heart.
A friendly reminder: Avoid cleaning with any kind of harsh chemicals when baby is being worn or is in the room with you. If you use harsh chemicals while cleaning, it's best to switch to greener products or keep baby out of the room until the fumes disperse.
Listen to our spring cleaning playlist here: