Facing few spring Cleaning Project in the coming weeks? Not only does spring cleaning make your home a healthier place to live, it also provides an opportunity to get more organized and refresh your state of mind.
However, spring cleaning can also be surprisingly risky. Accidental injuries result around 21 million Medical visits every year, and I don’t want you to be part of that statistic!
For the benefit of all of our personal safety, today I’m sharing 7 spring cleaning mistakes that can pose a risk or threat to your health. As you clean and organize your home, take care to avoid these potentially dangerous situations!
Related: 13 Spring Home Decorating Ideas and Ways to Refresh Your Home
7 Dangerous Spring Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
1. Heavy lifting
Lifting heavy furniture is a common cause of back injuries, so be careful when moving or lifting heavy objects! When lifting, do some stretching beforehand and use proper technique to protect your back. (Or better yet, get yourself a set Furniture sliders To make moving furniture quick and easy.)
But if you need to lift something heavy, don’t forget to ask for help—many hands make light work! 🙂
2. Climbing stairs
If your windows or gutters are being cleaned Your spring cleaning to-do listBe extra careful when climbing your stairs! Falling down a ladder is a common cleaning-related injury, and that fall can have serious consequences.
And it’s not just extension ladders that can be dangerous – even step ladders can cause accidents! No matter what type of ladder you’re using, it’s not a bad idea to have someone else there to watch you.
3. Dropping protective gear
No cleaning kit is complete without protective gear! A good pair of cleaning gloves will help protect your hands from caustic chemicals, abrasive cleansers and hot water.
And depending on what you’re cleaning, a mask and goggles might be a good idea too! A mask that covers your nose and mouth (or even a bandana wrapped around your face) will help prevent chemicals from irritating your airways, while goggles will keep harmful fumes out of your eyes.
4. Running a dirty humidifier
If you use a humidifier at home to keep the air moist, don’t forget to clean it thoroughly during your spring cleaning efforts! Grimy humidifier tanks are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and mold, which can become airborne if the humidifier continues to be used.
These airborne pathogens can be especially harmful to those people Allergies and asthma, so cleaning your humidifier regularly is important! Learn how to clean your humidifier here.
5. Mix cleaners
Many chemical reactions produce toxic fumes, which is why mixing cleaning solutions is never a good idea. These fumes can cause headaches, coughing, eye irritation, or worse!
But these fumes aren’t just produced when solutions are mixed—they can also form if you use one cleaner after another on the same surface. If you have tried one cleaner and are not satisfied with the results, clean the area with soapy water before trying another cleaner.
6. Working in poorly ventilated areas
No matter what you’re cleaning or what products you’re using to do it, it’s important to keep your area well ventilated. Using windows, doors and fans to keep air moving will help protect you from potentially harmful fumes.
Fragrances in cleaners can also be harmful, especially if you have a respiratory condition such as asthma, bronchitis or allergies. Choose fragrance-free cleaners (or make your own at home) to avoid irritating your lungs and throat.
7. Handling animal waste
When cleaning around the outside of your home, be extra careful around animal droppings! Raccoon and rodent droppings can harbor all kinds of nasty stuff, including roundworm larvae and viruses, which can be accidentally ingested during cleaning efforts.
To safely clean up animal droppings, wear protective covering such as a mask and gloves. Spray the droppings with a diluted bleach mixture (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) and let it sit for 5 minutes, then pick up the droppings with a paper towel and throw them away.
When you’re done, be sure to clean and disinfect any items that may have come in contact with animal urine or droppings.
What’s on your spring cleaning list this year?
