Pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life! But along with this excitement, there is also the added stress and pressure of being extra cautious so that no harm comes to your baby. This is especially true when cleaning and taking care of your home, as studies have linked many cleaning products to breathing and learning disabilities. A survey found that 37% of asthma cases in children are because of cleaning products.
Also, prolonged exposure to cleaning products can increase the risk of
congenital anomalies in Australia. These congenital anomalies are defects like heart disease, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and cystic fibrosis and, in some extreme cases, can even lead to prenatal death.
Therefore, it is important to identify and avoid harmful cleaning products to keep you and your baby safe from these congenital disabilities and other harmful conditions. You can either let professional bond cleaners in Hobart handle the cleaning and maintenance of your home or opt to use alternative natural cleaning products.
Here are seven cleaning products that you stay away from during your pregnancy and their alternatives:
1. Triclosan
Not all bacteria are harmful to your body; some of these organisms help keep us healthy.
When you use and overuse antimicrobial products containing substances like triclosan, you kill the bad bacteria and the good bacteria in your environment.
These antimicrobial products also create strains of bacteria resistant to these substances and thus can be very harmful.
This is especially true if you are pregnant, as exposure to triclosan can disrupt the baby’s physical growth by destroying the endocrine gland.
Thus, reading your labels and avoiding antimicrobial soaps and household cleaners containing triclosan is important.
You can still keep harmful bacteria away by following these cleaning habits from a microbiologist for a healthy home.
2. Phthalates
One of the most toxic cleaning chemicals you must avoid during pregnancy is phthalates.
Phthalates are chemical compounds used to make plastics more durable and create a fragrance in your cleaning products.
One strain of this harmful cleaning substance is Diethylhexyl phthalate or DEHP, which can cause toxic reactions for you and your child and lead to rashes and infections.
If your child touches or inhales these products, it can lead to poisoning.
Thus, it is important to check the labels of your cleaning products, look for phthalates or substances that have fragrances, and avoid them completely.
3. Parabens
Even though scientific evidence states that parabens are generally low-risk chemicals, these substances can cause an estrogen-like effect that can harm male and female fertility. Parabens have also been linked to breast cancer in rare instances and thus should be avoided during pregnancy.
4. Glycol Ethers
Bond cleaners in Hobart strongly advise against using cleaning substances containing glycol ethers as they can affect your child’s cognitive development. Most oven cleaners and glass cleaners contain Glycol Ethers; thus, it is better to avoid them and use natural or organic products instead.
5. Aerosols
If you use cleaning products with a high percentage of aerosols, you might be putting yourself and your baby at risk. This is because aerosols create more chemicals in the air than on the cleaning surface and can penetrate deep into your lungs and respiratory tracts when inhaling them. These aerosols also release
volatile organic compounds that can cause damage to your kidney, liver and central nervous system and thus must be avoided at all costs.
6. Bleach
Bond cleaning services in Hobart avoid using bleach in their cleaning products as this corrosive chemical can cause irritation and cell death. If you are pregnant, you should avoid cleaning substances with bleach as it can lead to fainting and dizziness and can even enter your bloodstream and harm your baby.
7. Lead-based Products
Lastly, if you have lead-based cleaning products, you must discard them safely and carefully. This is because high exposure to lead can cause premature birth, stillbirth, low birth weight and, in fatal cases, even miscarriage.
It is best to avoid the above harmful cleaning products in Australia and use more natural and organic substances that you can find at home. Here are some of the top natural cleaning products expert
end of lease cleaners in Hobart have recommended to use as home cleaners:
Natural Cleaning Substitutes
1. White Vinegar
White vinegar is one of the most universal and powerful cleaning substances used anywhere in your home. The acetic acid in vinegar is powerful enough to lift and remove dirt and grime from your surfaces but will not harm you or your baby. You can use white vinegar as an all-natural cleaner by mixing it with warm water and baking soda.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is another powerful home cleaner that you can find easily in your pantry, which is not harmful. This slightly abrasive alkaline base can shine up your surfaces and kill harmful bacteria around your home. When the alkaline base combines with the acetic acid in vinegar, it creates a powerful cleaner that can eliminate even the toughest stains and mould.
3. Lemon Juice
The citric acid in lemon juice is refreshing and helps kill germs and clean surface areas. Lemon rinds are especially effective in removing foul smells in your garbage disposal and trash can and can help shine your surfaces.
4. Soap
When you want to give your home a good scrubbing, the best thing to turn to is your humble soap and warm water. This can eliminate most dirt-ridden and dusty surfaces and keep your home clean.
Precaution
When using cleaning substances, it is important to note that there are some
household cleaning substances you must never mix to keep you and your baby safe.
More Precautions
Wear gloves and a mask when cleaning your home to avoid inhaling substances.
You should also ventilate your room after cleaning it to eliminate any substances.
Using organic or natural cleaning products is a good idea as they contain no harmful chemicals.
Always read the labels of your cleaning products and if the label says toxic or poison, discard them immediately in a safe manner.
Conclusion
Pregnancy is a time to relax and enjoy this phase, and it is best to avoid cleaning duties. However, if you do not have a choice, then it is best to clean slowly and carefully, avoid the seven harmful cleaning products listed above, and opt for natural substitutes instead.
