Factors Childcare Centres Should Consider For Safe And Effective Cleaning Products

Running a childcare centre means you’ll have to worry about germs, spills and sticky fingers everyday. The right cleaning products help you keep children healthy, meet Australian rules and still keep things simple for your team. In this guide, we’ll focus on how to choose products that are safe, effective and practical for real rooms, real budgets and real educators.

Why Cleaning Products Matter So Much In Childcare

The Difference Between a Quick Wipe and Real Hygiene

Simply wiping with any spray can make a surface area look clean, but this doesn’t mean it will become germ-free. In childcare centres, children share toys, touch the same tables and sit on floors. If we rely on products that only move dirt around, germs stay behind and infections spread.

Real hygiene combines three parts. We remove visible soil with a detergent, we reduce germs where risk is moderate and we disinfect only where risk is high, such as toilets, nappy change areas and during outbreaks. Safe cleaning products for childcare need to support this pattern, not replace it with one strong chemical used everywhere.

How Australian Rules Shape What You Can Use

Childcare cleaning products in Australia sit inside a fairly clear framework. The National Quality Standard and Education And Care Services National Regulations expect services to minimise infection risks. The National Health And Medical Research Council Staying Healthy guidelines explain how often to clean, sanitise and disinfect different areas.

Work health and safety laws treat many cleaning chemical brands for early childhood services as hazardous substances. It’s imperative that you keep a chemical register and hold safety data sheets. Label containers correctly and train your staff through these processes. If you buy a product that claims to kill viruses or bacteria, it needs to comply with Therapeutic Goods Administration rules for disinfectants.

What Safe Looks Like For Children And Educators

Ingredients That Are Safer Around Small Children

Because kids spend so much time on the floor and with fingers in their mouths, we use non-toxic cleaning products for childcare wherever we can. A neutral detergent usually handles everyday spills and fingerprints on tables, toys & other high touch areas. There is rarely any need for harsh or caustic cleaners. Before we add a product to the trolley, we always check the safety data sheet to make sure the risks are low and easy to manage.

Fragrances, Asthma And Sensitive Skin

Scent is another safety issue. Strong perfumes and high levels of volatile compounds can trigger asthma, headaches and skin reactions. Babies and toddlers are closer to the source and have developing lungs and skin.

For that reason, we lean toward fragrance free or low odour products wherever we can. When stronger chemicals are necessary, such as a bathroom cleaner, we schedule that work while children are outside and ensure good ventilation until the smell has gone.

How You Store And Label Products So Children Stay Safe

Even safe products are risky if kids have access to them. Lock all cleaners away where children can't get to them. If you use smaller bottles, label them clearly so staff know what's inside.

Keep training simple but consistent. Everyone needs to know where the safety sheets are, which products go where, and what protective gear to use. This protects the children and gives staff confidence they're doing things right.

Making Sure Products Actually Work

Cleaning, Sanitising And Disinfecting In Plain Language

1. Cleaning uses a detergent and water to remove dirt, food and a large number of germs.
2. Sanitising uses a product to reduce germs to a safer level on surfaces such as tables and toys.
3. Disinfecting uses a stronger product to kill most germs on high risk surfaces like toilets or change mats.

In most childcare areas, cleaning with detergent is enough. We bring in sanitising or disinfecting only where it is clearly needed. This approach protects children and staff from unnecessary chemical exposure and still supports childcare hygiene and cleaning standards.

Choosing The Right Product For Each Surface And Mess

Effective disinfectants for childcare centres are only one part of the picture. We also need products that match specific surfaces and types of soil. A hospital grade disinfectant might be right for a toilet seat but too harsh on a painted wall or play mat.

For example, you might use a neutral multi surface detergent on tables and toys, a food grade sanitiser in kitchens and eating areas, and a bathroom cleaner plus disinfectant on toilets and basins. Floors often do best with a low residue floor cleaner that does not leave them slippery or sticky.

Understanding TGA Numbers And Germ Kill Claims

When a label says it kills viruses or specific bacteria, do a quick TGA check. Legit disinfectants in Australia sit on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and show an AUST L or AUST R number on the pack.

Listing means the product has been assessed for its active ingredients and claims. It does not remove your responsibility to use it correctly. Educators still need to dilute it accurately, keep the surface wet for the full contact time and avoid using it on surfaces that the manufacturer does not support.

Matching Products to Spaces In Your Centre

Play Rooms, Craft Tables & Toys

In play rooms, the focus is on safe detergents and toy friendly sanitisers. Children handle these surfaces all day, so we favour mild detergents that rinse clean and leave no strong smell. Toys that go into mouths need cleaning and sanitising with products that are safe on plastic and do not leave a film.

Bathrooms, Toilets & Change Areas

Bathrooms and changing areas work hard on a childcare day. Nappy changes, toilet training and handwashing all happen here, so germs build up quickly on every surface. In these spaces, you need a bathroom detergent to lift off visible mess, then a hard surface disinfectant to target germs on toilets, basins and change mats. Clear instructions for dilution and contact time matter so every educator can follow the same safe routine.

Kitchens, Food Prep & Eating Areas

Kitchens and eating spaces need products that are effective but food safe. Benches and high chair trays should be cleaned with a suitable detergent and then treated with a food contact sanitiser. The sanitiser must be approved for use on food preparation surfaces and used at the correct dilution so any residue is safe.

Floors, Doors & Other High Touch Spots

Floors, doors and door handles carry a mix of dirt and hand borne germs. A neutral floor cleaner used with a mop or scrubber is usually enough for floors. Door handles and railings suit a spray and wipe cleaner or sanitiser that dries quickly and does not leave a sticky film that attracts more dirt.

Being Kinder To The Environment Without Losing Hygiene

What Eco Labels And Certifications Actually Tell You

Many centres want cleaning products that are better for the environment as well as for children. Eco labels help when they're based on real standards. Programs like Good Environmental Choice Australia check products properly, examining ingredients, manufacturing processes, and actual performance.

Having a legitimate certification means an independent body has verified that the product meets specific health and environmental standards. You'll still need to check it works for your surfaces and infection control needs, but certifications are a useful starting point when narrowing down your options.

Simple Swaps That Reduce Smell, Waste And Harsh Chemicals

You don't have to overhaul everything overnight. Small changes add up. Maybe you swap that heavily perfumed cleaner for something with less odour. Or you switch to concentrates to cut down on packaging. You could even replace those harsh solvent sprays with water based cleaners for your daily cleaning.

These small steps gradually improve the air quality in your space, reduce everyone's exposure to chemicals, and help meet your sustainability goals. And the best part? Your hygiene standards stay exactly where they need to be.

Building A Simple Cleaning Kit With Your Supplier

Questions To Ask Before You Add A New Product

Working closely with your supplier helps you create a straightforward kit that covers all areas without cluttering the cupboard. When you consider a new product, ask questions such as the following.

• Is this product suitable for childcare centres and does it come with a clear safety data sheet
• Does it meet any specific standards we need, such as being listed on the Australian Register Of Therapeutic Goods for disinfectants
• What protective equipment and ventilation does it require during normal use
• Can educators use it on more than one surface or is it limited to a narrow task
• What training or support can the supplier provide so our team uses it correctly

These questions push the conversation beyond price and help you focus on safety, performance and ease of use.

Working With Complete Wholesale Suppliers As A Long Term Partner

Suppliers that understand cleaning products for childcare centres can save you time and reduce risk. Complete Wholesale Suppliers, for example, offers a range of detergents, sanitisers and disinfectants that suit early learning services, along with bulk options and access to safety data sheets.

When you deal with a single main supplier, it becomes easier to keep your chemical register current, train new staff and standardise routines across rooms and sites.

Training Your Team So Everyone Uses Products The Same Way

Even the best cleaning product range will fail if people use it in different ways. Simple, visual guides in each room showing which bottle to use, how to dilute it and how long it should stay on the surface go a long way.

Regular reminders at staff meetings and during induction reinforce these habits. Over time, consistent practice means fewer mistakes, better hygiene and a safer environment for children and educators.

FAQs

What standards and guidelines should childcare centres follow when choosing cleaning products?

Follow the National Quality Standard, Education and Care Services National Regulations, and NHMRC Staying Healthy guidelines. If your cleaning practices match what these documents recommend for hygiene and infection control, you're doing it right.

How can I quickly tell if a product is safe enough to use around babies and toddlers?

Check the label and safety data sheet first. Look for products marked as non hazardous or low hazard with minimal fragrance. If you see warnings about burns, eye damage or toxic fumes, that product doesn't belong in play areas.

Do we really need disinfectant for everything in a childcare centre?

No. Detergent and water handle most cleaning jobs, especially in play rooms. Save disinfectants for toilets, nappy change areas, kitchens, blood or vomit spills, and outbreak situations.

What should I check on the label and Safety Data Sheet before I order a product?

Check the usage instructions, dilution rates, contact time, and suitable surfaces. Look at hazard statements, required protective gear, and storage requirements on the safety data sheet. For disinfectants claiming germ kill, verify they're listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.

Can eco-friendly cleaning products still give us the level of hygiene we need in childcare?

Yes, if they're properly designed and tested for your specific needs. Certified eco products work well for general cleaning. For high risk disinfection, you might still need TGA approved products.

Sources

• https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/staying-healthy-guidelines
  https://www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/national-quality-standard/quality-area-2-childrens-health-and-safety
• https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2011-0653
• https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/hazards/chemicals/safety-data-sheets
• https://www.tga.gov.au/products/other-therapeutic-good/disinfectants-and-sterilants
• https://geca.eco/