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Spring brings blooms—and advice for cleaning projects
Spring brings blooms—and advice for cleaning projects
The season of spring cleaning has arrived. Across the country, people are stocking up on cleaning products to do battle against household dirt, grime and mildew.
Yet while the numerous spray, powder and liquid cleansers on store shelves may seem a quick, effective way to get your home spick-and-span, it's important to realize these products should be used with care.
"All household cleaners are toxic to some extent, it's just a matter of dosage and usage, " says Dr. Ruth Sechena, director of the Environmental Risk Information Service based in the UW School of Public Health and Community Medicine. "If the cleaning frenzy hits, it may be tempting to just grab a rag and chemical cleaner and start scrubbing. However, this has to be balanced with the knowledge that chemical cleaners can be hazardous by themselves or when combined."
To help clean safely, Sechena points out the following guidelines to follow when using home cleaning products.
Read the label — "Danger" written on the label signals the highest risk. "Warning" and "Caution," which are similar in meaning to one another, indicate a moderate risk.
Ventilate — Adequate room ventilation is important, especially when working in confined areas like bathrooms. Be particularly aware of keeping fumes out of the breathing zone and eyes.
Don't overuse chemicals — More does not mean better or safer when it comes to use of cleaning products. Safety recommendations on labels refer to the prescribed use of the product, so it is difficult to know what dangers will be when quantities or concentrations are increased. Follow specific directions on the label and use only the amount called for — no more.
Don't mix chemicals — Cleaning products contain a variety of chemical compounds that may interact with each another to produce harmful health effects. Mixing bleach and ammonia, for example, can produce harmful vapors and reactions. Since an average person may be unable to determine the differences between chemicals contained in a product and because every chemical may not be listed on the label, it's essential not to mix products. Be aware that chemicals may be mixed inadvertently. This can occur, for instance, if two cleaning products are applied to the same surface or if the same cleaning brush or rag is used.
Keep others away from chemicals — Children and pets can be affected by cleaning products at lower levels of exposure than most adults. Individuals with conditions such asthma, allergies or multiple chemical sensitivities may also be hypersensitive to chemicals.
Use adequate protective gear — Ways to reduce exposure include use of safety glasses for caustic materials, rubber gloves for irritating substances and other appropriate protective safeguards as recommended on product labels. Common dust masks will probably not provide adequate protection from chemical exposure, since they are designed to filter dust particles.
Consider safer alternatives — Common household items, such as vinegar, can often be used to prepare homemade cleaning products. Plain baking powder may also be used as an alternative to scouring powders. County health departments or non-profit environmental organizations may be able to provide you with formulas for alternative cleaning options.
"Because heat conservation can reduce natural ventilation in buildings and because we spend 90 percent of our time indoors, it's prudent for our health to reduce unnecessary home chemical exposures," Sechena says. ¶
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