Safety tips for using bleach during pregnancy
There are seven ways you can stay safe when using cleaning products during pregnancy. These are:
- 1
Keep the room well ventilated.
- 2
Wear gloves to protect your hands.
- 3
Wear long sleeves and bottoms to protect your skin.
- 4
Carefully read the labels on any products you use. We also recommend reading our comprehensive guide to using bleach around the house.
- 5
Never mix chemicals like ammonia and bleach – this is dangerous even if you’re not pregnant.
- 6
Avoid cleaning the oven as it is a tight small space that can’t be easily ventilated.
- 7
Whenever possible, get someone else to clean for you.
- 8
When using Domestos Thick Bleach, dilute the product in water.
Perhaps you have just found out you are pregnant or are in the final countdown to your baby’s arrival. Whatever the case is, there are so many things that you have to consider for your safety and your baby’s. Here we will explain the myths surrounding using bleach when pregnant, and make sure you can clean your home in a safe manner.
It is wise to be cautious when using chemicals like enzymes and bleach during pregnancy, But with the right products you can keep your home clean and germ-free.
Can you use bleach when pregnant?
Cleaning with bleach when pregnant is not as hazardous as you may believe. So, there is no need to hire a maid when you find out you are pregnant. After all, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not include bleach to its list of cleaning products to avoid while pregnant.[1] As long as you take precautionary measures when doing so, it is perfectly safe.
Is it safe to be inhaling cleaning products while pregnant?
As with bleach, other cleaning products come with a whole lot of alarm bells when mixed with pregnancy, but this shouldn’t be the case. Although it is possible that some smells may cause nausea, most products are safe to use whilst you’re pregnant.
List of chemicals to avoid during pregnancy
While cleaning while pregnant during the first trimester is safe, you should still be cautious about the chemicals around your house. Excessive exposure to toxic household products may increase the risk of congenital disorders and other health problems for your baby. So, while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you shouldn’t be around the following chemicals:
- ✦
Herbicides and pesticides – Certain weed killers and pesticides can affect the babies in the womb and after birth.
- ✦
Air fresheners – Air fresheners can increase the risk of respiratory problems like asthma in pregnant women.
- ✦
Tile and oven cleaners – The chemicals in undiluted oven and tile cleaners can reach your placenta and affect your baby’s development.
- ✦
Paint (especially lead-based) – Avoid painting or stripping old paintwork during pregnancy.
- ✦
Nail polish – Most nail polish products contain toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate, which can be harmful for pregnant women and their babies.
- ✦
Dry cleaners – Occasional exposure to dry cleaning kits won’t harm pregnant women. However, studies have shown that pregnant women working in dry cleaners have a higher risk of miscarriages and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.[2]
- ✦
Moth balls – Exposure to naphthalene can damage blood cells and cause haemolytic anaemia on pregnant women.
Make your own homemade cleaner
Although cleaning products are safe to use during pregnancy, you may want to use homemade cleaners as they are chemical-free. Here are two you could try:
- 1
Combine four tablespoons of baking soda with one litre of warm water.
- 2
Add equal parts of water and white vinegar together with lemon rind.
Pro Tip: You can also check out our guide to making your own antibacterial spray. We’ll teach you how to use isopropyl alcohol, vodka and vinegar to create a disinfectant at home.
Now that we have busted those urban myths about bleach and pregnancy, you can allow your nesting instincts to kick in. Moreover, you safely get your home clean and ready to welcome your baby. We also have more tips on what to avoid when pregnant on Cleanipedia. Make sure to check out our article about washing clothes in pregnancy!
Frequently asked questions about using bleach while pregnant
Q. Is bleach harmful during pregnancy?
No. When used while following safety precautions, bleach is not harmful during pregnancy.
Q. Can you touch hair bleach while pregnant?
There is little to no scientific evidence that proves hair bleach can cause miscarriages, birth defects and other pregnancy complications. Bleaching your hair during pregnancy is generally safe. However, you should still take precautions when doing it. For instance, you should let a professional do it. Moreover, you must perform a patch test to ensure that you won’t have adverse reactions. Finally, have the procedure done in a well-ventilated area.
Q. Can cleaning with bleach cause birth defects?
No, using bleach while pregnant does not cause birth defects. However, when using cleaning products, you should wear protective gear like gloves and a mask. Moreover, ensure that you’re cleaning in a properly ventilated room.
Q. Can cleaning with bleach cause a miscarriage?
There is no scientific evidence to support claims that cleaning with bleach can cause miscarriages. However, to be safe, avoid industry-grade, undiluted bleach.
Q. What household chores should be avoided during pregnancy?
During the last trimester of your pregnancy, you shouldn’t mop or vacuum. Doing so may increase the risk of inflamed sciatic nerve. Chores that require you to lean forward and the heavy weight of your uterus may put excessive pressure on this nerve. If you keep mopping and vacuuming during your last trimester, you may experience pain running from your lower back to your entire leg.
References:
1. Chemical disinfectants & sterilants - Reproductive Health | NIOSH | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/repro/disinfectants.html
2. Ahlborg, G. (1990). Pregnancy outcome among women working in laundries and dry-cleaning shops using tetrachloroethylene. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 17(5), 567–575. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700170503
