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Cleaning sprays have an impact on lung health comparable to cigarettes

independent.co.uk

21–30 of 161 posts

Re: Cleaning sprays have an impact on lung health comparable to cigarettes

#21
post #8

I use vinegar for light cleaning and dusting, and rubbing alcohol for almost all other household cleaning now. Isopropyl alcohol is basically magic — it sterilizes and completely evaporates with no lingering residue or fragrances. And a steam mop for the floor.

Me too.

I put a white vinegar and water mixture into one of those inexpensive reusable spray bottles found in the cleaning aisle. If you need something a little stronger scrub with baking soda then squirt on vinegar, the two react together (base + acid) creating CO2 and further loosening grime as it bubbles.

I'd like rubbing alcohol, but the local supermarkets only sell it in the pharmacy and the bottles are a little small/expensive to use for cleaning ($2/ea for ish 500ml size).

Only chemical product I still use is toilet cleaner, since I've not found a safer alternative that actually works. Any suggestions there would be welcome.

Random pro-tip: They sell these spray bottles which release an ultra-fine mist. They're designed for hair/beauty but are absolutely fantastic for cleaning too. Just only put water in them as they're quite expensive relative to normal sprayers look up "Flairosol Mist Sprayer." You hand pump it a couple of times to compress, and then it mists like a deodorant. They're fantastic. Also great for hair.

Re: Cleaning sprays have an impact on lung health comparable to cigarettes

#22
post #12

I clean with a steamer. It doesn't project particles, and it's extremely good at disinfecting. I also use a vacuum cleaner with exceptionally low dust re-emission. And an air purifier. The only "chemicals" I use are an extremely mild lactic acid based cleaner and a pre/probiotic on toilets and kitchen tops. And I don't use any fragrances anywhere. My allergy problems have disappeared. I really recommend this approach…

I am curious as well what steamer and products you are using?

Re: Cleaning sprays have an impact on lung health comparable to cigarettes

#23
As a former chemist, call me suspicious of these findings.

Can cleaners be an irritant to the lungs? Of course. Inhaling a lot of things can be an irritant.

Most cleaners that consumers use are surfactants sometimes mixed with alkylbenzonium disinfectants (in very low concentration). Even cleaners that are ammonia based aren't harmful.

Now on the professional side, I could believe there is risk. Some of those chemicals are very harsh.

Re: Cleaning sprays have an impact on lung health comparable to cigarettes

#24

Believing a report in a general news publication that attempts to summarize the conclusion of a study that hasn't been replicated anywhere can lead to an increase in stupidity. Caveat emptor. Also, all headlines are clickbait. Get over it.

Agreed. I saw an article on the front page last week about how standing desks causes more issues than sitting. The sample size was one office with 20 people.

Re: Cleaning sprays have an impact on lung health comparable to cigarettes

#25
post #24

Believing a report in a general news publication that attempts to summarize the conclusion of a study that hasn't been replicated anywhere can lead to an increase in stupidity. Caveat emptor. Also, all headlines are clickbait. Get over it.

Agreed. I saw an article on the front page last week about how standing desks causes more issues than sitting. The sample size was one office with 20 people.

Doesn't mean they are wrong. Imagine if everybody in that office died. You'd know something was up, perhaps not standing desks. The key thing is mechanism and if another group tried to reproduce.

Re: Cleaning sprays have an impact on lung health comparable to cigarettes

#26

Believing a report in a general news publication that attempts to summarize the conclusion of a study that hasn't been replicated anywhere can lead to an increase in stupidity. Caveat emptor. Also, all headlines are clickbait. Get over it.

It fits in with other things we already know, though. Cleaners and their VOC are responsible for an increasing portion of ground level ozone & smog, which are also correlated with declining lung function. This would be just yet another reason to change how you clean.

Re: Cleaning sprays have an impact on lung health comparable to cigarettes

#27
post #12

I clean with a steamer. It doesn't project particles, and it's extremely good at disinfecting. I also use a vacuum cleaner with exceptionally low dust re-emission. And an air purifier. The only "chemicals" I use are an extremely mild lactic acid based cleaner and a pre/probiotic on toilets and kitchen tops. And I don't use any fragrances anywhere. My allergy problems have disappeared. I really recommend this approach…

When you say that you clean with a steamer, do you mean something like a garment steamer?

Re: Cleaning sprays have an impact on lung health comparable to cigarettes

#28
post #8

I use vinegar for light cleaning and dusting, and rubbing alcohol for almost all other household cleaning now. Isopropyl alcohol is basically magic — it sterilizes and completely evaporates with no lingering residue or fragrances. And a steam mop for the floor.

It's not that good to inhale...

Re: Cleaning sprays have an impact on lung health comparable to cigarettes

#29
post #13
post #12

I clean with a steamer. It doesn't project particles, and it's extremely good at disinfecting. I also use a vacuum cleaner with exceptionally low dust re-emission. And an air purifier. The only "chemicals" I use are an extremely mild lactic acid based cleaner and a pre/probiotic on toilets and kitchen tops. And I don't use any fragrances anywhere. My allergy problems have disappeared. I really recommend this approach…

Care to point to Amazon(or other sites) product pages? May be useful for some of us looking to buy.

Windex sells lactic acid cleaner readily available in stores. It's the yellow stuff, it looks like pee but it does the job.
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