Home cleaning is a vital chore to retain a germ-free and hygienic environment. But cleaning is not an easy task. It comes with varied risks like handling hazardous chemical solutions, heavy lifting, and operating on wet floors. If one is aware the primary source of non-fatal injuries is unintentional slips and one is exposed to other injuries while cleaning, they should adhere to proper safety. One should learn how to maintain safety while cleaning. Recklessness leads to accidents in most cases. Since prevention is better than cure, homeowners need a guide to cleaning safety.
Top Useful Home Cleaning Hazards
Homeowners expose themselves to all kinds of risks and threats when cleaning their homes. Some dangers include fall and slip accidents, inhaling chemical fumes, and chemical splashing on their skin or eyes. Household chemicals are essential during cleaning, but it is vital to remember they are dangerous when improperly used. Below are the best home cleaning chemicals that need proper handling and storage to maintain safety.
Ammonia
Ammonia is a high irritant and powerful fume to the eyes, skin, throat, and lungs. The smartest precaution to safeguard one’s health is wearing a face mask, goggles, and heavy-duty gloves when handling ammonia.
Bleach
Bleach is another dangerous but helpful cleanser. It has corrosive properties that are dangerous to human beings. A combination of ammonia and bleach is hazardous as they create a deadly gas. One should never store ammonia and bleach together. It’s always a good idea to have good ventilation or to use a HEPA air purifier if you are worried about fumes and air quality.
Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaners are meant to break the build-up of organic materials that obstruct pipes. Most drain cleaners have alkaline compounds that are hazardous when they contact the eyes or skin.
Antifreeze
Consuming antifreeze is dangerous to the internal organs. It’s hazardous to children and pets when improperly stored and ingested as it is inoffensive and has a sweet taste.
Even though one can store household chemicals carefully, that does not prevent them from spilling and causing damages. If a chemical spills, one should take preventive measures to avoid further damages.
Home Cleaning Safety Tips
Protect Children
Children are most curious and don’t know the dangers of touching cleaning chemicals. To prevent this, store all cleaning chemicals in a locked kit and check if any chemicals are at their disposal. Do not leave the children or pets unattended with cleaning products. In case of an interruption during the cleaning process, empty the cleaning chemicals or leave them locked in the bathroom.
Carefully Read Cleaning Product Labels
Before using any chemical product to clean the house, the first duty is to read its labels. One should go through the instructions to ensure they use them appropriately for their intended purpose.
How to Handle Household Chemicals
While the market is full of various cleaning products and the need to read all instructions, the biggest concern is how people are handling them. Household cleaning products are wonderful and helpful but the most hazardous substances. Here are a few tips to follow when using them for home cleaning.
- Use the Recommended Amount: A little after a while is better for chemical cleaning products. Only use the specified amount.
- Don’t mix the Products: the biggest mistake one could ever make is to mix some of these cleaning products, especially ammonia and bleach. A combination of bleach and ammonia is potentially dangerous as it may lead to the formation of a toxic chloramine gas that is dangerous to the lungs when inhaled.
Safety is essential for every homeowner during cleaning. Ranging from effects of mixing ammonia and bleach, dangers of working on wet floors to trips and fall injuries, homeowners should adhere strictly to safety procedures.