Cleaning While Pregnant: 5 Tips To Keep It Safe

Pregnancy can bring out your obsessiveness like no other time in your life. Everything is more intense. Hungry is HUNGRY!! Gotta pee is GOTTA PEE!! and clean means CLEAN!! –especially when it comes to your surroundings or getting the nursery ready.

Now that fall is here, you’re probably feeling itchy to take on some projects in the house, spruce up the yard or clear away the clutter. Feel free to go for it!!

However, when it comes to cleaning when you’re pregnant, there’s good news and bad news.

The bad news is that most cleaning products are perfectly safe during pregnancy. Even bleach. So, no need to call in the maid just yet. The good news is that the hubs probably doesn’t know that. So feel free to play the "I can’t clean I’m pregnant" card.

Even though most cleaning products are relatively safe, there are still a few precautions you should take when cleaning during pregnancy to keep you and your baby safe.

Step 1: Make sure that you have good ventilation where you are cleaning.

Step 2: Wear protective gloves and clothing to protect your skin.

Step 3: Always read the warning and instruction labels.

Step 4: Never mix different chemicals, such as ammonia and bleach; doing this can be very dangerous for anyone to inhale.

Step 5: Avoid cleaning the oven (a definite for the hubs) since it is such a tight space and the ventilation is not good.

Of course, if you really aren’t comfortable using chemical cleaning products there are a few good natural options. You can keep it old school with some baking soda and vinegar which still works really well cleaning anything in your home.

Or you can check out some natural or organic cleaning product companies like those from Seventh Generation. You can buy online or find a store near you.

Visit the BlackDoctor.org Healthy Pregnancy center for more articles and tips.

MochaManual.com is an award-wining online destination for African American parents. From pregnancy to parenting, and from tots to teens, MochaManual is your everything guide for life. Founded by Kimberly Seals Allers, author of The Mocha Manual™ series of books and former senior editor at Essence, the MochaManual brand has been featured on Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper, Essence, Ebony and in international media. Join the conversation on Twitter @MochaManual and Facebook. Follow Kimberly @iamKSealsAllers.