Indoor Air Quality and Cleaning Products…Hmmm
We visited how carpeting affected indoor air quality last week. One of the things that was helpful in improving the indoor air quality where carpeting was involved was frequent vacuuming. That made sense. It occurred to me, however, that carpeting is not the only thing we clean frequently. Not only that, but we use an abundance of cleaning products. Do the cleaning products we choose have anything to do with the quality of our indoor breathing atmosphere? Yep! that definitely prompted some research. Interesting findings.
While the use of harsh chemical cleaning products can affect the indoor breathing atmosphere quality negatively, there are relatively simple things that can be done to limit exposure and thus effect. From the many sources that I read it seems there are three main things that must be addressed.
First, follow the instructions/directions on the cleaning product very closely. Especially when there are warnings about not mixing agents.
Second, the amount of the product must be addressed. We seem to think if a little is good, more must be better. Not so with cleaning products. In order to keep our breathing atmosphere safer we should use as little of the cleaning agents as is necessary to get the job done. Here, less is more.
Third, ventilate, ventilate, ventilate. When cleaning fling open a window or even a door if possible and make use of ceiling fans. This will allow the chemicals and odor to disseminate more easily and not concentrate in your indoor breathing atmosphere.
One other thing that was mentioned was to discard the paper towels etc. used to clean immediately. This will also help in removing the chemicals and odor from he indoor atmosphere.
There was also discussion about less harsh and/or organic alternatives to some of the more harsh products. I suppose that is really a matter of personal preference. There was not a whole lot of specific credence given to the lessening of their effect on indoor air quality.
It seems like the addition of good old common sense is generally the rule of thumb. In a nut shell, less is more and caution is beneficial when it comes to cleaning products and indoor air quality.
As always, if we can further help to improve your indoor breathing atmosphere please give us a call or visit our site today.
Sources: http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/cleaning_products_fact_sheet-10-2008.pdf, http://coeh.berkeley.edu/ucpehsu/Resources/EHECEP/GreenCleaningToolkitHandouts/FactSheet_AffectIndoorAirQual.pdf, http://fcs.tamu.edu/housing/healthy_homes/indoor_air_quality/household_cleaning_products/cleaning_to_reduce_indoor_air_pollutants.php
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