HCE Blog

Let’s admit it, many of us don’t clean our children’s toys as often as we should. Some of the most neglected toys, though, are often the ones that need it most. And what toys are those? Bath toys, of course! It’s easy to think, “Oh, I don’t have to wash those! They’re always in soap and water, so they’re perfectly clean!” But sadly, that’s not the case. Bath toys are perfect breeding grounds f...

If your child’s toy box is jammed packed with toys, maybe it’s time to donate some of them! Even as adults it’s easy to remember just how hard it was for us to give up our favorite toys when we were children, so be easy on them as you go through this process. You know your child better than anyone, so you can either include them in the cleaning or do it on your own.  Empty the toy box and star...

Flu season is in full swing, so it’s best you start taking precautions to keep your whole family flu-free!  The influenza virus can live on hard surfaces for up to 24 hours, including your child’s plastic toys. Children are extra-susceptible to catching the virus, so it’s smart to disinfect their toys regularly to keep them healthy. If you have one sick child and want to keep the other from ca...

Dust mites are microscopic insects that like to live in dust, especially dust found in your carpet or on your bed. They feed on the skin cells shed by people, so your child’s favorite stuffed toy is a prime place for them to hide! These tiny bugs cause allergic reactions in many people, so your child’s favorite teddy bear could be contributing to their allergy issues!    There are several diff...

We established a few posts ago that white vinegar is a powerful (and natural) cleaning solution! This makes it a great substitute to normal disinfectants many people use to clean their children’s toys. It’s even easy to make! Put equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Simply spritz the dirty toys with the solution and set them aside to dry. It should only take about 15 minutes ...

Do your kids have some toys a good scrub just won’t fix?  Try putting them in the dishwasher! It sounds crazy, but it works! The detergent you use to wash your dishes and the hot water of the dishwasher will disinfect the toys for you.  A word of advice… don’t put in toys you think may melt. Keep the toys in the top drawer of the dishwasher to make sure they don’t get damaged!

It’s a hard thing to admit to ourselves, but our children’s toys are covered in germs. We don’t want to think about our precious little ones playing with things that are so dirty. Wooden toys are some of the worst, too. But what’s the best way to clean them?  You can use a 100% natural spray cleaner or a water-laundry detergent mix to wash them. Just use a clean washcloth to rub the cleaner on...

Need a little help getting things moving?    Try apples!   Apples are packed with fiber which can help you feel fuller and satisfied longer, and it can help clear out those uncomfortable blockages. Just one medium-sized apple contains 2.4g of fiber and is just 52 calories! That one cup is also high in vitamin C and potassium!

When you think of fruit rich in vitamin C, we’re sure you think of oranges. But, did you know apples are rich in vitamin C, too? Apples contain 14% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C!  Vitamin C is important for a variety of functions in your body, including your immune system. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which can help protect your body from all sorts of health conditions— ...

Do you notice your apples are going bad quickly on the counter? You can try this little tip to keep your apples crisp and fresh longer!  Take a large zip-top bag and puncture small holes into it. Dampen a paper towel and place it in the bag. Place a few apples into the zip-top bag and place them in the crisper drawer of your fridge. This should keep your apples tasty and help them last longer....