Spring Cleaning Safety—Are your household cleaning products doing more harm than good?
April 17, 2025
Gorgeous April weather has arrived in Southern California. The air is sweet with citrus blossoms and jasmine, and pollinators are buzzing from flower to flower.
For many of us, longer days, open windows, and balmy breezes go hand in hand with a burst of energy and industriousness—an urge to clear out dust, cobwebs, and clutter, get rid of things we don’t need, and make our homes sparkle.
Spring Cleaning is both a natural impulse and a practice rooted in ancient traditions throughout many cultures, says National Geographic:
“[Spring Cleaning] holds symbolic significance. Viewed as a fresh start, the tradition symbolizes the transition from the dormant winter season to the vibrant growth of spring. By purging the home of accumulated debris and organizing its contents, individuals create a cleaner living environment and a sense of mental clarity and freshness.”
In addition to the wonderful sense of a new beginning that a tidy home can provide, the process of cleaning can have mental health benefits—becoming engaged in a productive task helps us feel focused, present, alert, and aware. Getting rid of physical clutter can help us clear our minds, feel less anxious or overwhelmed; a little elbow grease gives us a sense of accomplishment.
But don’t let your cleaning do more harm than good! Choose products that are safe for people, pets, and the environment; be sure to use, store, and dispose of them properly.
“Many common household cleaners and home improvement products contain corrosive, toxic, or flammable ingredients. These products can become personal health and safety concerns when used or disposed of improperly. They can also contaminate groundwater and soil and eventually reach surface waters,” says the University of Minnesota.
In the U.S., household cleaning products are the second most common cause of unintentional poisoning in children under six years old. Exposure to alkali-based products, such as ovens and drain cleaners, is associated with the most significant risk of adverse outcomes.
Many people know about the dangers of obviously harsh agents such as:
Chlorine bleach: Causes skin and eye irritation and respiratory problems, and prolonged exposure poses a cancer risk. Especially dangerous when mixed with certain chemicals. NEVER mix bleach and ammonia—together, they create toxic fumes that can result in long term breathing problems or even death.
Drain openers. Chemical drain openers, which may contain lye or sulfuric acid, can cause serious skin burns and breathing problems; if ingested, they can cause severe or even fatal damage to internal organs.
But did you know that toxic chemicals can be lurking in seemingly harmless products meant to help your home look and smell squeaky clean?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a particularly insidious offender. VOCs are chemicals with a high vapor pressure, meaning they vaporize (become a gas) at room temperature. They’re present in many everyday household products, ranging from cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, air fresheners, pesticides, and paint to some types of furniture, carpets, and drapes. They’re also found in cosmetics, other personal care items, and some cookware.
Exposure to VOCs can cause a wide range of adverse health effects, both short and long-term.
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Allergic reactions on skin
- Headaches, dizziness or light-headedness
- Worsening asthma or COPD symptoms
- Can contribute to the development of allergies and sensitivities, especially in children.
- Prolonged exposure to VOCs can cause serious long-term health problems, especially for people with lung disease. They can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system. Some VOCs such as formaldehyde and benzene, are linked to cancer.
VOCs are all around us, but concentrations are significantly higher indoors. You can reduce your exposure to VOCs and other hazardous substances in your home environment by choosing and using cleaning products wisely.
Twelve Tips for Safer, Cleaner Spring Cleaning:
- Read the labels. Know what’s in your cleaning supplies. The University of Minnesota advises consumers to look for “signal words” that identify the danger level of a certain product, including:
- POISON = highly toxic.
- DANGER = extremely flammable, corrosive, or highly toxic
- WARNING = moderate hazard.
- CAUTION = mild/moderate hazard.
- Buy small amounts, When it comes to the harsher cleaners, purchase only what you need. If you can’t use it up, consider sharing with a friend. Even when not in use, VOC- containing products can “off-gas” while stored in cupboards or under the sink.
- Ventilate. The weather’s gorgeous! Throw open those windows and doors. Run a fan to keep fresh outdoor air moving through rooms as you clean.
- Cover up. Wear gloves and eye protection when cleaning.
- Follow all manufacturers’ instructions carefully.
- Store cleaning products in a safe place, out of reach of children and pets.
- Dispose of any leftover or unused products safely. Don’t automatically toss it in the trash or pour it down the drain. Check the label for proper disposal instructions.
- Clear the air. The American Lung Association recommends using air purifiers with HEPA or activated carbon filters.
- Go Green. Although even natural products can contain VOCs, studies have shown that the concentration and emission is generally lower in fragrance-free “green” products.
- Keep it simple. You don’t always need a different specialized product for every task. Basic all-purpose cleaners are sufficient for many tasks. It’s also a good idea to opt for unscented or fragrance-free products and cleansers, especially if you have asthma, allergies, or sensitivities.
- DIY! You can make your own safer and more effective homemade cleaning products using items you probably already have around the house, such as baking soda, mild dish soap, vinegar, and lemon juice.
- Beware of common injuries that happen while spring cleaning: Chemical burns from harsh products, slips on wet floors, falls from ladders and step stools, and soft tissue injuries, such as a pulled muscle from lifting heavy furniture.
The experienced personal injury attorneys and consumer advocates at Aitken*Aitken*Cohn care about your health and safety. If you have suffered injury from using a defective product, taking a dangerous prescription medication, or being exposed to hazardous materials, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
In a high-profile matter, AAC attorneys held a doctor accountable in a wrongful death case that did not involve a patient. Our firm secured a seven-figure settlement with the doctor who overprescribed medication to a former addiction care center employee who was driving under the influence of various drugs and fatally struck a Costa Mesa fire captain bicycling on a Mission Viejo sidewalk.
AAC recently secured a $4.25 million settlement in a products liability/medical malpractice lawsuit against a product manufacturer and a physician involved in injecting a non-FDA-approved facial filler into a patient, causing permanent blindness.
Written on behalf of Aitken* Aitken* Cohn*