When it comes to homes and child care settings, most people think "the cleaner the better." While it's important to keep these spaces as clean as possible to help prevent children from becoming sick, the use of harsh chemical cleaners can put children's health at risk - the very thing that parents and caregivers are trying to protect. This resource offers tips for the safer use of cleaning products, as well as inexpensive alternatives to store-bought cleaners.

1. Accidental poisoning of children is a very common health hazard associated with cleaning products. If accidental ingestion occurs or is suspected, contact a local poison control centre immediately. Keep emergency numbers near the phone. Bring the cleaning product with you, as the poison control professional may require the product information details.

2. The immediate health effects of cleaning product exposure include dizziness, weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting, skin and/or eye irritation, asthma attacks or allergic reactions. There is increasing concern over the potential health effects of long-term exposure to cleaning products. This issues requires further research.

How are children exposed to the chemicals in household cleaning products?

Children can be exposed through:
1. Ingestion: accidental poisoning (above) or by ingesting residues left on surfaces, such as scouring powder left on a counter.
2. Inhalation: breathing in fumes from a product, such as oven-cleaner fumes or air freshener spray.
3. Absorption: direct skin contact with cleaning products or by touching surfaces that have been cleaned.

What can you do to prevent harm from cleaning products?

1. Proper storage
Keep all cleaning products stored out of children's reach and sight, and away from pets and eating areas. Products should be stored in tightly-sealed, leak-proof containers. Keep products in their original containers. If the original container breaks, make sure that the new container is able to safely hold the product, and clearly label it. Do not cover original labels. Seek help if the original label is unreadable.

2. Careful use
Read all product-warning labels so that you know the ingredients and understand the directions. When certain cleaning products are used together, they can be more hazardous than when used separately. For example, a toxic gas forms when ammonia and bleach are combined.

• Allow for proper ventilation when using a product (e.g. open windows for air circulation).
• Be alert to the dangers identified by these four labels. Consider switching to products that don't contain these symbols or their descriptions:
  
  • Corrosive
  • Reactive or Explosive
  • Flammable
  • Toxic or Poisonous

3. Safe disposal

• Do not throw unwanted cleaners down the drain or in the garbage. Some products contain chemicals that take a long time to break down. The cumulative impact of pouring chemicals down the drain can harm the environment.
• Contact your municipal hazardous waste depot for proper disposal instructions.

4. Eco-choices

• There are a wide variety of environmentally friendly cleaning products available. Look for products that are biodegradable, free from perfumes and dyes, and that carry the "Eco-Logo" symbol.

5. Make your own eco-products

• Making your own environmentally friendly cleaning products is an easy and cost-effective way to protect both human health and the environment. Nevertheless, it is still important to read all labels and follow instructions for ingredients being used (e.g., peroxide). Remember to clearly label any cleaner that you create.

Effective basic ingredients

• Baking soda – scouring powder for cleaning, deodorizing, removing stains, softening fabrics and clearing drains
• Lemon juice – cuts grease and stains on mirrors, dishes, pots and pans
• Table salt – a mild disinfectant or gentle scouring powder
• White vinegar – a mild disinfectant that cuts through grease, prevents mould and cleans glass
• Corn starch – deodorizes carpets and removes greasy stains from fabrics
• Washing soda – (baking soda detergent) cuts through grease, removes stains, disinfects and softens water
• Borax – boosts the cleaning power of soaps and detergents to get your clothes clean and white

To find household cleaning recipes, visit www.homefamily.net/housing/environmentally_friendly_cleaning.htm or look in the Canadian Green Consumer Guide.

Healthy Spaces © was developed by the Canadian Institute of Child Health (www.cich.ca) in partnership with the Canadian Child Care Federation (www.cccf-fcsge.ca), funded by Human Resources Development Canada. Healthy Spaces (www.cfc-efc.ca/healthyspaces) is housed on Child & Family Canada (www.cfc-efc.ca).