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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Should children be cleaning with chemicals?

42 replies

Smileybear · 27/12/2021 23:50

First post on here for a sound board please.
My step-daughter (8) came home today (50/50 split) and mentioned she had done chores at her mum's to earn extra pocket money..nothing unusual there...but then said one of the chores was cleaning the bathroom, with her step-sister (6). She said they used cleaning products and when I asked, she said they didn't have the window open.
Tidying their rooms, loading the dishwasher, even hoovering sure, but scrubbing a bathroom with chemicals?! I can't help but feel like that isn't safe or healthy for them to be doing at that age...and unrelated but it was only for £1!!
AIBU to think that crosses a line when it comes to chores?

OP posts:

Hellocatshome · 27/12/2021 23:53

YABU they will have been using readily available household bathroom cleaners not anthrax!

Mogwaimummy · 27/12/2021 23:54

Depends on the cleaning products surely?
There is a huge difference between something like Cif and neat bleach.

I also doubt they will have done more than a quick spray and wipe which would have taken all of 5 minutes at most. (Based on how woeful my DC cleaning abilities are)

whyohwhyohwhyohwhywhy · 27/12/2021 23:55

Not a fan of the mother are you?

GnomeOrMistAndIceGuy · 27/12/2021 23:56

Not a fan of the mother are you?
Exactly this

Original poster

Smileybear · 27/12/2021 23:57

Yeah obviously, but my point is that we're told clearly as parents to keep cleaning products out of reach of children so to leave two young children unsupervised to clean a bathroom just seems odd to me 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:

sadpapercourtesan · 27/12/2021 23:59

Perfectly acceptable. I imagine most of us were cleaning (with chemicals ) at that age. It does children no favours not to learn how to take care of a household, and at those ages they are more than capable of wiping a loo seat or cleaning a bath.

Your distaste for their mother is warping your thinking. It's not uncommon.

Original poster

Smileybear · 28/12/2021 00:01

That's a shame, I did wonder how long before someone asked that. Standard procedure as a step-mum for people to just assume that's the case.
Genuinely was just looking for a gauge on it because I wasn't sure if it was a pretty standard thing or not.

OP posts:

fuckyourpronouns · 28/12/2021 00:01

My 4&5 year old will regularly use stardrops or windolene to do bathroom cleaning. I wouldn't allow them to use bleach or caustic soda 🤣.

Think you need to unclutch your pearls and your arse OP.

Firefliess · 28/12/2021 00:01

I think a 6 year old and 8 year old are old enough to know not to drink the cleaning products - that's why they say to keep them away from young children, because toddlers may drink them, not because the chemicals are harmful for them to touch or breath near

coogee · 28/12/2021 00:02

Water is a chemical. Maybe they used that.

Original poster

Smileybear · 28/12/2021 00:02

Christ almighty, I don't have an issue with her mum. I had an issue with this specific situation and was reaching out to see whether it was a common thing.

OP posts:

JurgensCakeBabyJesus · 28/12/2021 00:02

I use method or homemade concoctions involving vinegar for my bathroom, I wouldn't let a five year old clean it because I'd have to do it again anyway, but they'd come to no harm. If also be wary of a five year old's perspective in the cleaning they have done.
DS would tell you he does the laundry and dusting, he's three. He hangs the odd sock on the airer because he asks to 'help' and we have high ceilings and one of his favourite games is to sit in DHs shoulders with an extendable feather duster and swipe at any cobwebs. He's not very effective, but he has fun and I think it's a good start to him seeing that we all muck in with chores.

CheshireCats · 28/12/2021 00:03

Keep cleaning products away from children is so they don't eat/drink them. Not because it will necessitate a trip to A and E if they spray a bit of bathroom spray on the sink....

JohnSmithDrive · 28/12/2021 00:04

How do you know they were unsupervised? I can't imagine an 8 & 6yo did much useful cleaning without a bit of guidance.

£1 is too much IMO! Chores are just part of living in the house and contributing to family life.

Whatever they're using, once in a while won't harm them.

Original poster

Smileybear · 28/12/2021 00:07

I had heard about this website being full of sanctimonious types but wow, you lot really proved the rumours are true.
I reached out looking for some advise and a genuine conversation and an opportunity to learn about what other people do. Happy to hear other views and change my mind on things but instead I got you lot. Won't make that mistake again, such a shame.

OP posts:

BluebellsGreenbells · 28/12/2021 00:07

Mine had a jobs jar, 50p max per job and my 6 years olds liked cleaning the toilet!!

Grizzlydog · 28/12/2021 00:08

I spray a bit of merhod on the bath and sink amd my 5 year old enjoys cleaning the bathroom. Then I redo it when they are in bed.
Bleaching the toilet is a no but scrubbing the bath and sink is fine. As is the £1. Sounds like she's teaching them well.

hannsmum · 28/12/2021 00:13

It depends on personal preference

I personally don't let my kids near anywhere I have sprayed Flash or CIF and I have a go at my mum if she uses it when they are next to her

Thick bleach I try to use when they are asleep or at school

I think it's too strong for their airways

Clymene · 28/12/2021 00:20

@Smileybear

I had heard about this website being full of sanctimonious types but wow, you lot really proved the rumours are true. I reached out looking for some advise and a genuine conversation and an opportunity to learn about what other people do. Happy to hear other views and change my mind on things but instead I got you lot. Won't make that mistake again, such a shame.

'I am really peeved you have seen through my transparent attempts to get people to criticise my husband's ex's parenting'.

HarrietSchulenberg · 28/12/2021 00:22

I wouldn't have had a problem with it unless they were using bleach or had form for guzzling unpleasant liquids. In fact I'd probably think it was genius and get them helping out round at my house too.
Honestly, it really wouldn't bother me.

BasiliskStare · 28/12/2021 00:23

@Smileybear - hope this is not sanctimonious at 6 or 8 I would not be fussed about spray flash etc - would not be so happy about the big bottles of bleach with the child lock tops. & for a bathroom maybe just emptying bin and wipe round and then I would do the bleaching type thing.

What I would tell them is they can only use one thing at once - so different products can react badly together. I'd be happy with this but I probably would nip up on a regular basis and see if they were getting on OK.

DropYourSword · 28/12/2021 00:51

Everything is a chemical. EVERYTHING!!

DogsandCatsB4u · 28/12/2021 07:31

Cleaning products can be plant based such as method products
I cleaned for some idiot woman who moaned I left “chemicals” on the kitchen counter like it’s hard to put them in the cupboard

AgentJohnson · 28/12/2021 07:38

Bye then.

My only objection would be the payment, I wouldn’t have paid them it would be part of a routine. We weren’t allowed out of the house on a Saturday until chores were done and passed inspection.

PAFMO · 28/12/2021 07:42

@Smileybear

It means bleach and caustic soda.

What sort of soap and toothpaste do you use?

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