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Article Cleaning tips for when you are pregnant

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Being pregnant can be wonderful, challenging, tiring and amazing all at the same time.

You change and it seems like everything around you changes too, not the housework though – things keep getting dirty and you still need to wipe them clean.

However, before you tackle the greasy grill, or the carpet stain, get the lowdown of the do’s and don’ts of cleaning when you are pregnant.

1) Mind the cleaning detergents

Carpet, oven and some all-purpose cleaners (actually most) release toxic fumes that may irritate your airways. Inhaled, these could be dangerous for the fetus and may make you dizzy and nauseuous.

For this reason…

Open windows regularly. When you clean, open the windows to ventilate the room.

Did you know that the air at home is 200% more polluted than the air outdoors.

Toxic cleaning detergents, dirty carpets and upholstery corrupt the indoor air quality. Forgetting to open the windows often only makes matters worse.

Wear protective gloves. Chemicals in detergents may irritate the skin on your hands. During pregnancy you might want to wear gloves even when you wash the dishes (if you don’t do so already).

This is because the skin on your hands is sensitive as it is and it becomes doubly more during pregnancy. If you don’t want to feel your hands itchy or dry, it is worth giving gloves a chance.

Look at the labels. Avoid cleaning detergents labelled: “Danger”, “Caution”, “Poison” and never mix bleach with ammonia. The deadly combination was used to produce poisonous gas in WWI. Needless to say this experiment is absolutely forbidden for pregnant women.

The best thing to do is try and make your own cleaning solutions. You will be surprised, but most of them really work and you can always go back to your old favourites once the baby is born if you still wish to do so.

2) Organise Your Chores

Know your limitations.

If you were able to clean the home from top to bottom in a 3 hour cleaning spree before you fell pregnant, now you might find that difficult to do.

For this reason, do a little and often. One or two chores everyday will help you keep the house clean at all times. Do laundry on Monday, clean the bathroom on Tuesday and mop and sweep on Wednesday.

Make your cleaning sessions 15 or 30 minutes long and have time to sit down for a bit, relax your back and lift up your legs.

3) Delegate

Once your baby arrives, you’ll probably be cleaning up something every day for the next 18 years or so, if you are lucky, that is.

So take advantage of your “condition” to minimize your cleaning chores now.

There is no shame in playing the pregnancy card from time to time in order to get help from your husband and close family.

When there are days you don’t feel well don’t stress over coking and cleaning, but focus on getting better.

Delegate chores which involve a lot of bending over, heavy lifting, or climbing on top of chairs to clean the windows or on top of cupboards.

Remember that during pregnancy your hormones soften your connective tissue and you become more vulnerable and prone to injuries.

Also, don’t clean mould yourself, better call professional cleaners who not only know how to clean it, but know how to protect themselves.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

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Comments

  • I THINK THAT YOU LISTEN TO YOUR OWN BODY– STUFF EVERYTHING ELSE. IF YOU BREAK DOWN THESE TASKS, IT HELPS.

    I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A HUBBY WHO IS LIKE–I’LL TAKE CARE OF IT– AND IF I WANTED TO GET SOMETHING DONE SO THAT I FELT LIKE I WAS DOING MY JOB, I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR HIM TO BE AT WORK AND THEN I WOULD GET THE WHOLE— WHAT DID YOU DO! YOU SHOULD BE RESTING!– SPEECH LOL

    I HAVE MISCARRIED BEFORE– NATURAL REASONS— BUT IT UPSET HIM SO MUCH!

    FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU AND WHAT EVERYONE IS HAPPY WITH

    Reply

  • Every pregnancy is different, just like every partner is different. If I left dishes in the sink, I would hear about it. If the floor has noodles on it, I hear about it. And so on.
    I’m a professional cleaner & was doing bond cleans til I was 6 months preggers, if you know how to use the chemical safely then there shouldn’t be an issue. Oh & most window washing solutions have ammonia in it, I find dishwashing liquid & water works just as good.

    Reply

  • Great suggestions. I’m currently finding the cleaning a bit of a challenge as I’m on my own so these suggestions are definitely worth trying in a bid to make the tasks more manageable. Thank you.

    Reply

  • I hated a messy house when I was pregnant, if it got too much I would have to call hubby in to help every now and again. My only tip is to do little bits often and have an entire day off to recharge. When bub arrives and they are busy sleeping for long stints take some of that time to catch up but also rest too. In the end there will always be something that needs cleaning even more so when they are bigger and enjoy playing with their toys. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help or hire a cleaner until you are back to a more energetic post baby version of you.

    Reply

  • Great advice but im sure we all know our limits. Just don’t over do it

    Reply

  • Everyone is different and everyone takes different stands on this issue..do as you wish I guess it’s your health but be aware sometimes doctors will step in.

    • Absolutely I agree; when you are confined to bed for your health and that of your baby there is no option and others must step in. The primary concern is that of mother and baby. Yes, pregnancy is not a disability; however, it can be debilitating for some mothers. I cannot imagine any mother wanting to be confined to bed. A healthy mother and baby is the priority.

    Reply

  • Great reminder for some mums that it is wise to know your limitations

    Reply

  • I did every thing worked right up to the day u was due
    Painted went up ladders
    Mopped dusted polished floor
    Stacked crates up at work
    Worked 12-16 hour days and don’t change any jobs at work
    Figured I was pregnant not disabled
    Put only a small amount of weight in and had quick labours.
    If we are already using natural and organic products it should be a problem even are most foods and no food allergies.

    Yes my son’s have asthma and exzcma but it’s been passed in from both sides of the family.
    If we bubble wrap them from pre birth what’s going to happen with the next 5 generations

    Reply

  • I did everything and cleaned my own house. I did not get any help at all.

    Reply

  • These tips will really help!

    Reply

  • When I was pregnant with my first, I quite literally did not stop doing everything, I was a little too proud to let anyone else do anything for me…. with my current pregnancy, my husband is being the biggest help as I’m suffering with severe sciatica so quite limited to what I can actually do.

    Reply

  • Thanks for sharing this interesting article; delegation is definitely important and essential at this time as you are carrying the load; others can do/share the load(housework!).

    Reply

  • If only I had these when I was pregnant. My biggest blunder was delegating. I ended up with my abdomen separating from my pubic bone. Needless to say, walking (even around a shopping center… Well, waddling) distances, bending too much, sitting too long ended up with me hurting. Thanks for the tips. Maybe now when I go to Baby Showers I can win a prize for the best tip 🙂

    Reply

  • If possible get someone else to do it. I put my back out vacuuming 2 days before my eldest was born. Made labour extra, extra fun.

    Reply
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