There is a direct connection between air quality and the products used for cleaning. Whether in a home or commercial setting, these can put fine particulate matter, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), disinfectant vapours and fragrances into the air. Poor ventilation will make the strong scents and sprays all the more of an irritant to the lungs, throat, nose and eyes.
“Freshly cleaned” is not synonymous with “healthy to breathe”, as I have come to appreciate. I am Isla North. On one occasion I was rather pleased with myself after putting on a bit too much spray cleaner in a confined bathroom and closing the door. But ten minutes on it was like a chemical thunderstorm in there. A simple oversight: you do not get a better clean with more product, only more residue and pollutants.
The Australian Indoor Air Picture
For Australians who are inside their vehicles, shops, schools, offices and homes for the most part, good indoor air is important. While cleaning products are but one contributor to indoor pollution, they are ones that can be managed by way of ventilation, timing and what one puts in the trolley.
One will not find a national figure for the proportion of household pollution attributable to cleaning; it is dependent on the room size, weather, the building, outside airflow and the health of those in it, to name a few. The YourHome site has published guidance on indoor air quality from official sources which advocates for control of pollutants and ventilation as sensible measures for a healthier environment.
Small Rooms
An ensuite is not the same as a kitchen with plenty of air moving through it. In a small room vapours have a tendency to accumulate if someone is spraying about instead of using a cloth. Then there are the seasonal variables in an Australian home. You might keep the windows shut and the air conditioning on in the height of summer. Or in winter when it is cold. In the Top End during a cyclone or bushfire smoke, the outside air is no good. There is no rule of thumb that applies in every instance. This is why safe surface maintenance routines matter.
What Gets Put Out When You Clean
Do not assume an aerosol, a powdered cleanser, an air freshener and a disinfectant wipe are the same thing simply because they are in the cupboard together. They present different patterns of exposure.
Below is a summary of the usual indoor pollutants and how to go about reducing them. This is not a ranking of safe and unsafe products.
| Product / Activity | Possible Pollutants | How to cut down on exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Aerosol sprays | Fragrances, droplets, propellants and VOCs from the product | Do not spray in the face of things, ventilate and put a little on a cloth |
| Disinfectants | Vapours, reactive chemicals, fragrances | Stick to the label’s dilution and use only to disinfect |
| Bleach | Irritating residues and chlorine vapours | Ventilate, be careful and never put it with other cleaners |
| Powdered cleaners | Dust and fine particles | Wipe with a damp cloth, do not shake the powder |
| Air fresheners | Fine droplets, VOCs, fragrances | Get at the source of the odour |
| Vacuuming, dry dusting | Disturbed mould spores, allergens, mites and dust | Damp-clean hard surfaces and have the right filtration |
VOCs and Fragrance
Chemicals such as solvents, polishes and disinfectants can evaporate into the air as volatile organic compounds. For some, the level of concentration and time spent around them can lead to headaches or irritation.
And then there is fragrance. It will make a room smell of cleanliness yet leave the grease, mould and dirt where it is. One might as well set a scented candle by the rubbish bin and be done with it. The odour is gone but the pollutant is still there.
Allergens and Particles
Pollution is not always in gaseous form. A bit of sweeping or vacuuming will stir up pollen, dust mites and spores. Those with rhinitis or asthma are apt to feel it. A vacuum or air cleaner with a high-efficiency filter will catch some of it, though it is no substitute for source control and ventilation as far as gas and fragrance are concerned.
Health Effects From Exposure
Exposure to cleaning products can have its toll on one’s health, from nothing more than a temporary irritation to something more problematic with repeated use. Age, the size of the room and how long one is in it will all have a bearing on a person’s reaction to a product, as will any pre-disposition of the respiratory system or the concentration of what is being used.
Those who suffer from asthma, rhinitis, allergies or migraines are likely to be more acutely affected by potent odours and airborne irritants. Then there are cleaners, carers, hotel and hospitality staff who, through their work, can put in hours using such products; for them the occupational exposure is considerable.
Short-Term Symptoms
Watery eyes, a cough, irritation of the throat or sinuses, wheezing, nausea, headaches and even skin problems are among the short-term symptoms that may be encountered. While this is no proof the product is at fault, it is prudent to cease exposure, see if the label has anything to say and get some fresh air where you can do so safely.
Should breathing become severely laboured or there is chest tightness, confusion or collapse, or if chemicals have been mixed, then medical attention is required as a matter of urgency. In Australia, a product ingested or in the eyes means a call to 13 11 26 at the Poisons Information Centre. For an emergency dial 000.
What People Overlook
There is a tendency to think a household product can do no harm if misapplied. Yet the label is there for a reason. Improper dilution, a lack of ventilation or repeated spraying of a concentrate will heighten exposure. Or one might make the error of putting a room to rights just before the children, an elderly person, a pet or an asthmatic comes in. Where a product has left the surface damp or with a residue and a strong smell, let the room dry out and clear before resuming normal activity.
Fragrances: An Issue?
Not every fragranced cleaner is hazardous and the absence of fragrance does not make a product harmless. That said, fragrances introduce VOCs and can set off symptoms in the sensitive. A good rule of thumb is to ask if the lingering scent of a product is of any real cleaning value. More often than not it is better to use the minimum amount necessary to get rid of the dirt rather than to perfume the room.
Scent is no substitute for function
Disinfectants should be reserved for when they are called for, not employed in lieu of regular cleaning. A bit of soap, detergent and water with some mechanical effort will suffice for most routine tasks.
In Australia, shoppers after low-toxic options would do well to find packaging with plain directions and ingredient details and little or no fragrance. Do not be swayed by the word “natural”, essential oils and plant extracts can be irritating enough. There is no guarantee of low exposure.
Duration of Pollution
Indoor pollution from cleaning can dissipate fast in a room with good ventilation but there is no set time for it to go. It is a matter of the chemical involved, the volume of the room, the temperature and humidity, and whether the substance has evaporated or is still there as residue. A closed bathroom will not clear as readily as a room with two open windows to provide cross-flow. If the odour is still there, take it as a sign to improve the airflow.
A Plan for One Day
Make the rooms you clean in your priority if the aim is to better the indoor air in a day. Put away superfluous air fresheners, employ damp methods for cleaning and change or wash cloths that are past their best. Ventilate while and after you are done, provided the outdoors is safe.
Resist the urge to run through several products on every surface in one go. You will end up fatigued and with the bathroom smelling of a laboratory and chemical fumes. Tackle it room by room and allow things to dry.
No Guesswork in Ventilating
By way of ventilation you are swapping the air inside for something purer from outside. Make use of exhaust fans and open doors or windows to get a cross-flow if the weather and quality of the outdoor air are amenable. But it is not always advisable. With bushfire smoke, dust or poor air quality of any kind, it is safer to keep the windows shut. Under such circumstances, cut back on product, eschew aerosols and heed local health advice.
Protective Equipment
For certain workplace duties or where there is a lot of dust a respirator is in order, though not all disposable masks will stop chemical vapours. The hazard dictates the right protection and those in the workplace should adhere to employer procedures and the safety data sheet. Gloves are for the skin and eye protection for splashes, but they are not an excuse to apply more of a product than is needed.
Making Safer Product Choices In Australia
One makes a safer selection of product by way of the task at hand. Consider what is to be put in its place, if disinfection is called for and if there is a lower-emission alternative that will do the job. For dust a damp microfibre cloth will suffice; for the common grime of the day, water with some detergent is all that is needed.
Do not assume “low-toxic” means the same thing in one product category as the next. It is best to read the label and any warnings, steer clear of superfluous fragrances and make sure no chemicals are decanted into an unlabelled container or a drink bottle.
A More Modest Kit
There is merit in a smaller cleaning kit to cut down on cost and clutter and the risk of combining chemicals inadvertently. Stick to original containers, put them out of reach of children and pets and adhere to the dilution and contact times prescribed. A mild detergent is suitable for routine surface work, and where odour is an issue, go with a fragrance-free option. Opt for a damp clean over dry sweeping to deal with dust and reserve disinfectants for when hygiene demands it. Bleach, acids and anything with ammonia should be kept apart. With commercial products consult the safety data sheets.
Such routines have their place in the home, in an office or on any commercial premises since they are about stemming pollution at source, not putting a cover on it.
Practices That Are Safe At Home And Work
For the room’s occupants and the person doing the cleaning, safe practices are a protection. Managers in a workplace would do well to give thought to occupational exposure and training, to storage and ventilation, to personal protective equipment and what the safety data sheet says. At home the principles are much the same only on a lesser scale: plan ahead, use only as much as is required, ventilate as you can and under no circumstances mix your chemicals.
On The Subject Of Two Chemicals
Bleach and ammonia must never be put together, the chloramine gases from the combination are hazardous. Nor should bleach be mixed with acidic items like a descaler or certain toilet cleaners which will let off chlorine gas. Unless the manufacturer has put it in writing, do not mix.
What You Expect And What You Get
It is tempting to think a strong smell is evidence of a product doing its work but in reality the scent is likely to be from volatile chemicals or added fragrance. Or that more disinfectant equates to better hygiene; in fact it can mean more residue and exposure for nothing. More is not always more effective, so follow the label.
Some FAQs
We address here the matters most put forward regarding indoor air and household cleaners. The answers are straightforward though a health professional should be consulted for any persistent or severe symptoms.
Is it better for one’s health to clean?
Routine cleaning will put an end to dirt and mould and allergens of a kind, yet the products used can be a source of chemical pollutants. To be on the healthier side, target the cleaning with the least obtrusive method and sensible ventilation and eschew the need for fragrance.
How does one identify low-toxic products?
You will not find an official list of the best ones in Australia. Look for unambiguous labelling and ingredients that are simple, little or no fragrance and directions that do not call for prodigious amounts. Something being “natural” is no guarantee it is without risk.
Which two chemicals are not to be mixed?
As stated, keep bleach away from ammonia and from acids to avoid the production of dangerous gases. Use a single product and store them in separate locations.
Can you name the ten most toxic?
Any top-ten would be unreliable given that risk is a function of the chemical, how it is used and the level of concentration. One should exercise caution with concentrated bleach, oven and drain cleaners, solvent-based and aerosol products and those with poor labelling.
Are air fresheners of any benefit to air quality?
They tend to put a veil over an odour rather than get to the source and in the process add VOCs and fragrances. Improving ventilation and seeing to any damp areas is of more use.
Cleaner Air
The effect of cleaning products on the indoor air of an Australian household is something that can be managed if exposure is regarded as part of the chore. Pick the product that is right for the job, do not mix chemicals and put on some ventilation when the weather outside permits. There is no reason a well cleaned room should have the odour of a swimming pool. A good clean leaves the surface and the air in order and everyone to their day.
