Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi everyone,
I was just wondering what cleaning products everyone uses at their centres. At our kindergarten we use a spray bottle filled with diluted disenfectant to clean the tables, equipment etc. This was a procedure which was in place when I started at the kindergarten. Today I went to a professional development session where it was suggested that we try to eliminate chemicals and use natural products for cleaning. I would really love to try this but am unsure if using natural products would effectively kill bacteria.
Does anyone have any ideas or recipies for natural cleaning products?

Thanks
Jules
L.A have you had the baby? Hope you are well...xx

Hi JNP

Yes LA has had her little girl 2 weeks ago

We use soapy water in a spray bottle. We make it up warm.

Thanks for that Lindy T. Best wishes to LA xx

Thanks L.A,
That's a great link, now all I have to do is convince my co-workers to make a change!! Congratulations on your baby girl, I'm glad to hear everything is going well.xx

Hi JNP,

At our centre we use tea tree oil diluted with water in a spray bottle which is a great natural anti-bacterial (I also use this at home). We also use normal dishwashing liquid for things like tables, chairs etc. Apparently these are safe for the children but work well to kill germs.

These are also sustainable practices - which might convince your co-workers if the centre wants to become more sustainable.

Rosie

Thanks Rosie,
I was actually thinking that we could put natural cleaning products as an improvement on our quality improvement plan..I have spoken to my co-workers but they don't seem to think it's a big deal using disenfectant. It is difficult when one person wants to make a change and others don't. I love the idea of the tea tree oil. How much tea tree oil to water do you use?

Thanks again
Jules

Hi Jules,

Oh I see - if it were me I'd definitely be with you on bettering the QIP! And I love using natural cleaning methods... We just use a few drops of oil to a regular spray bottle. The oil can be expensive, but a little goes a long way.
Rosie

Hi Rosie,
I am definitely going to try the Tea Tree oil.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Jules

When I use tea tree oil as a general purpose cleaner this is the mix I use

5 drops of water soluble tea tree oil to a spray bottle then add hot tap water. You can also add 1 tea spoon of dish washing liquid.

Thanks Lindy T.

At my previous centre we used chemicals but the natural orange etc.
Current centre uses warm soapy water. However for floors we use K-san, the only thing is that they have been told even when cleaning up accidents (wee, poo, vomit) its warm soapy water.
Sorry but surely these situations need more than soapy water ??

Hi fefe76,
Thanks for your feedback, we were also told that warm soapy water is suitable to clean up accidents. I agree with you surely warm soapy water doesn't kill bacteria??
Maybe I'm wrong!
Jules

Thanks for your feedback L.A.
We have started using warm water and dishwashing detergent for jobs around the centre and use disenfectant for bodily fluids. I recently found a recipe for a miracle spray which is made from water, vinegar, dishwashing detergent, eucalyptus and washing soda (lectric Soda).
I am going to try this at the centre and at home too.
If anyone is interested in the recipe it can be found at www.cheapskates.com.au

Jules.

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to let everyone know (those of you who are interested) that we are now using natural cleaning products at our kindergarten. We are using the 'miracle spray' and it is great for tables, bench tops, toilets, sinks. I'm using it at home too and I love it. I know I sound like a clean freak!! I'm not really...

lindy t.
how often do you make up this solution.. we use warm soapy water in a bucket but have to make it up each time we need to use it..A bit time consuming

Hi suz28 I make it up once a day.

Yes it’s true that kids are very sensitive we should keep them away from chemicals. Try to use natural cleaning products in your kindergarten. At our kindergarten we have hired house cleaners who use homemade cleaning products.

+1 for tea tree oil. I put a small amount of it into a bottle with water that is well diluted and a bit of natural soap or I use the diluted tea tree oil and bicarb soda to clean first. So bicarb, water and then a spray of tea tree. The tea tree is like a natural disinfectant and is great for when using around children and animals.