There’s no better feeling than a clean house, right?
Cleaning is essential to protecting our health in our homes, however, if you do not choose your cleaning products wisely, ingesting, inhaling or touching them could expose you to short and long-term health issues. Avoid your risk to exposure by learning how cleaning products affect the air quality in your home.
VOCs
Many cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that when released into the air, can cause serious health problems. Many come from fragrances in cleaning products such as laundry detergents and aerosol sprays. Although they may leave a pleasant smell, they can cause headaches, respiratory irritation, irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and more.
Potential Harmful Chemicals:
– Aerosol spray products
– Furniture and floor polish
– Air fresheners
– Chlorine bleach
– Rug and upholstery cleaners
– Oven cleaners
– Detergent and dishwashing liquid
– Dry cleaning chemicals
Reduce Your Exposure
Choosing products that state “low VOC” or “no VOC,” or switching to liquids or pastes instead of sprays drastically reduces your risk to exposure. Keep in mind that just because a cleaning product is marked “green” or “natural” doesn’t make it true; U.S. manufacturers aren’t required to list all their ingredients. A simple mix of soap and water will do the job.
Proper Ventilation
When using cleaners, be sure that your home is sufficiently ventilated with an up-to-date HVAC system. It’s recommended to clean your air ducts once a year and replace your air filters on a regular basis. Unlike paper filters that protect your HVAC from dust and debris, a quality HEPA filter will remove VOCs, pathogens and microorganisms from the air.
Have any more questions or want to learn about more ways to improve your home’s air quality? Call 72 Degrees Comfort Company at 515-965-7272 or email us at office@72degrees.com
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