Cleaning Challenges and Solutions: A Cleaning Blog

Are Your Cleaning Products Affecting Your Asthma?

22 May 2019 by Ralph Rodriquez

You may have an idea of some of the current triggers that bring on your asthma; however, sometimes you discover new things that give you problems. For example, if you've recently started to get symptoms when you clean your home, then your cleaning products may be to blame.  

Why do some cleaning sprays affect asthma and what can you do to solve the problem?

Cleaning Products and Asthma

Some cleaning products contain chemical ingredients that can be problematic if you have asthma or a related condition. For example, some people react badly when they breathe in fumes from things like bleach, ammonia or disinfectants.

Some cleaning products also contain substances like volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These substances evaporate into the air when they are used. So, if you use a cleaning spray that contains VOCs, for example, then these compounds may affect your air quality during and after a cleaning session.

Depending on your asthma and the products you use, you may be uncomfortable as soon as you start using a cleaning product. In some cases, you may not show symptoms until after you've finished cleaning if the air in your home then holds a lot of triggering chemicals.

Cleaning Options to Avoid Asthma Triggers

There are ways to avoid getting asthma symptoms when you clean. For example, if you open windows to ventilate each room as you clean it, then anything harmful that you leave in the air may clear more quickly. It's also a good idea to give the room time to clear before you spend time in it.

You may also find it useful to avoid using sprays whenever you can. Spray cleaners sit in the air and you won't be able to avoid breathing them in. If you use a liquid cleaner, then the cleaner is more contained; it is less likely to dissipate into the air and you're less likely to breathe in anything harmful.

For a more complete solution, you may want to think about changing your cleaning products. For example, hypo-allergenic and eco-friendly cleaning products don't typically contain as much harmful stuff as standard products.

Hypo-allergenic products have been designed for people with allergies and asthma. Eco-friendly cleaners are made without harmful chemicals or ingredients that harm the environment. Both may be easier on your breathing.

If you want to learn more about asthma-friendly cleaning products, talk to service that offers cleaning supplies. They can point you in the right direction.

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