HEALTHY AIR FOR YOU & YOUR BABIES - SMARTPARENTING

sOURCE: http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/life/home/make-your-home-ready-for-newborn-a00041-20170809

You're preparing to welcome your little bundle of joy. You have your delivery day bags packed. You've arranged schedules among the lolas, both excited to babysit for you. You've even picked out what your newborn will wear (including the one for his christening -- okay, we're getting ahead of ourselves here). But more than ready right? How about the house? No, not the nursery, but how clean is your house for your newborn? SmartParenting.com.ph reached out to Kayne Litonjua, founder of Busy Bee Cleaning Co., one of the most trusted cleaning services in Metro Manila. We wanted to know how can expecting couples clean their house before the baby arrives and how to maintain its cleanliness as the baby grows up. 1. Air purification is crucial. "There are are over one million dust mites in the air that can cause severe asthma and activated allergens," warns Litonjua so it's crucial to purify your home before your newborn arrives. She cites that 87 percent of homeowners don't know the quality of their indoor air, which is a problem for most of their clients who are parents and have kids with asthma or allergies. "Schedule a regular monthly deep cleaning to purify air," recommends Litonjua. (Read our guide on air purifiers here.)

2. Dry clean mattresses. Regularly changing bed linens may not be enough if you have a newborn, even if your little one has his bed or crib. "Dry clean your mattress with intense vacuum since infants are very vulnerable to allergens. A single bed usually has 600 thousand dust mites that harmful diseases, allergic reactions, coughing, and itching," says Litonjua, adding the kids are the ones most vulnerable.

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3. Keep kitchen clean and dry. Practice the first-in, first-out rule, and never leave dirty dishes in the sink as a moist environment is where a bacteria thrive, explains Litonjua. It could also attract pests. Set aside a basin that will only be used for washing your baby's feeding items or breastfeeding paraphernalia. Then always dry them thoroughly before using, and store them in an air-tight container.

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Litonjua says the ideal house cleaning frequency is three times a week, a number that has you rolling your eyes we're sure. After all, carving out time for household chores will be tricky when you're breastfeeding and stealing shut-eye every chance you get. It will even be impossible if you don't have household help or family members to assist. Getting a cleaning company may not be such a bad idea. It's one less chore to worry about, and you breathe easy -- literally and figuratively. As Litonjua swears, "It's hassle-free, and you see the real difference in your home from seeing it to smelling it."

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Busy Bee Cleaning Co, offers intensive cleaning, floor mopping, vacuum with a rainbow machine, bathroom sanitation, dry-cleaning mattresses, and air purification. Prices start at P1,699 and depend on floor area and specific job orders. To book, call 0917.7943145, email busybeecleaning.ph@gmail.com or follow Busy Bee Cleaning Co. on Facebook and Instagram.