Cleaning your home is a great way to give your home a fresh start and give yourself a sense of accomplishment. But it can be dangerous to your health if you don't take the proper precautions, especially if you have asthma or other chronic lung conditions. That's because some cleaning products—air fresheners, carpet cleaners, chlorine bleach, oven cleaners, and more—contain hazardous chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds. These chemicals become vapors that can irritate the nose, throat, eyes and lungs.
A recent study shows the potential dangers. Scientists from the University of Bergen tracked 6,000 people who used cleaning products for more than two decades. They found that women who used sprays or other cleaning products showed a decline in lung function at least once a week.
For most people, the occasional use of chemical cleaners would not create a clinically significant reduction in lung function. But repeated exposure to harmful chemicals throughout their lifetime could lead to severe disability later in life, especially for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or a genetic condition that can cause lung or liver disease. The best bet is to be careful.
Here are eight safety tips that should be on everyone's spring cleaning checklist:
* Do not combine chemical cleaning agents. Never mix ammonia and bleach.
* Provide good ventilation. Open a window or door – or run a fan – while cleaning.
* Wear rubber gloves. Without them, you risk developing redness or a rash on your hands.
* Look for old-fashioned cleaners. Use warm water, baking soda and a cloth. Diluted vinegar works well to clean windows, and baking soda gives you scrubbing power.
* Read the label before use. Is the cleaning agent suitable for the material? Does the product you want to use contain substances to which you are allergic? Is it necessary to take precautions? For example, wearing household gloves?
* Read the instructions for use for the correct dosage and the working method. Using the right dosage is more environmentally friendly and often cheaper to clean!
* Job done? Wash your hands with soap and water. Bacteria live in a moist environment. Therefore dry your hands well!
* Prolonged contact with water dries out the skin and can even crack. Then lubricate your hands with a greasy cream, so that the moisture balance of the skin can be restored.
People who experience coughing, wheezing, sore throat or watery eyes while using chemical cleaners should move to another room or walk outside. If symptoms persist even after leaving the room, contact a doctor.
