....such as dettol and flash etc are dangerous for your health (apparantly cause cancer etc) how long after using the products the chemicals remain dangerous....if say you have cleaned a tap with it, is that chemical still on that tap every time you touch it and therefore endangering you every time you touch it? I have often cleaned my babies push chair and toys etc using cleaning products, should I wash them to get the chemicals off? Will the chemicals remain on their surfaces and therefore remain a threat to my babies health? I am v concerned? Personally, I think if you're concerned and your child is still young enough to want to suck on everything, I would rinse off the surfaces you have used household cleansers on and stop using them either permanently or until your youngest child is at least three.
Doing some reading, I discovered some things I'd like to share with you:
Here are some ways you can reduce your risk:
Read the label; understand what you're using.
Follow label directions.
Use the least-toxic product you can find that works.
Move away from products marked "danger" or "poison."
Products marked "danger" and "poison" are more hazardous than those marked "caution" or "warning."
Reduce the use of antibacterial cleaners. Overuse of these cleaners can create resistant germs.
Store products away from kids and pets. Store incompatible products separately (for example, don't store ammonia next to bleach).
Use it up if you can. Exception: Bring products marked "poison" and "danger" to a household hazardous waste collection site.
Choose Safe Cleaning Products
Take the "Green" Approach to Cleaning
Everybody wants a clean and healthy home. Taking the green approach avoids use of hazardous products, which protects your health and the environment.
Use the information below to follow the steps to green cleaning:
1. Don鈥檛 over clean
2. Try non-toxic cleaning tips instead of chemicals
3. Make your own green cleansers
4. Buy the least toxic product and use it correctly
5. Make a green clean kit
6. Safely dispose of hazardous cleaning products
Don鈥檛 over clean
Most areas of your home--even bathroom surfaces--do not need to be disinfected to prevent illness.
The kitchen is the exception. Use very hot water and soap (or a very mild bleach solution) after every use to clean:
鈥?Food preparation surfaces
鈥?Utensils
鈥?Cleaning rags
鈥?Sponges
Buy the Least Toxic Product and Use it Correctly
If elbow grease and making your own green cleaners isn鈥檛 enough, take these steps when buying household cleaners:
鈥?Avoid products marked 鈥淧oison鈥?or 鈥淒anger.鈥?These words indicate the highest level of hazard, under federal law.
鈥?Be careful with products marked 鈥淐aution鈥?or 鈥淲arning,鈥?which carry moderate hazard.
鈥?Always read labels and follow the directions.
鈥?Never mix cleaning products, such as those containing chlorine with those containing ammonia.
Make a Green Clean Kit
You can make a green cleaning kit to use around your house. All you need is the following ingredients and our recipes to make your own green cleansers.
鈥?A bucket
鈥?Spray bottle
鈥?Rag or scrubber
Bon AmiVinegar and Baking soda OR manufactured organic cleaner
Follow this link for information on how to make your own "green cleansers": http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Gar... There is no telling how long chemicals stay on surfaces, but they don't stay there indefinately, otherwise you would only need to use them once wouldn't you. Also the risk of dangerous bacteria and germs far outweigh the dangers of cleaning with things like Dettol. Would you sooner leave the bugs on there , the consequences could be even more worse and quicker. Try using alternative cleaning products. Chemicals in our home are dangerous and we use them and never think about the repercussions.
You can use vinegar and water that is excellent in cleaning glass. It can't smell any worse than glass cleaners. Baking soda is good to clean bathrooms. Or start looking for products that say "Non Toxic."
I also heard do not install new carpeting in babies rooms because of the fumes from plastics, glues, etc. All cleaning products (pretty much anyway) contain hazardous chemicals and when you have used them to clean stuff the baby will touch and probably put in the mouth (or handle then put the hands in the mouth), which is what babies do, you really need to rinse the items well to remove any residual chemicals that may remain on the items.
When you wash your dishes, you rinse the soap off, right? Same basic idea.
You shouldn't overreact either though. Trace (very small) amounts of chemicals are around us everywhere, and most of them are not really a hazard at those levels, and the ones that are real hazards at low concentrations are not allowed in household products. You are likely to expose your baby to more hazardous chemicals taking a stroll along a busy street than in a house you keep clean, unless you are really going overboard with the cleaning. | 