Dangerous Cleaning Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Heavy Lifting

Lifting heavy furniture is a common cause of back injuries, so take care when moving or lifting anything heavy! When lifting, do some stretching beforehand and use the proper techniques to protect your back. (Or better yet, get yourself a set of furniture sliders to make moving furniture quick and easy.)

But if you must lift something heavy, don’t forget to ask for help—many hands make light work! 🙂

Climbing Ladders

If cleaning your windows or gutters is on your spring cleaning to-do list, be extra cautious when climbing your ladder! Falling off of ladders is a common cleaning-related injury, and those falls can have dire consequences.

And it’s not just extension ladders that can be dangerous—accidents can happen on step ladders too! No matter what kind of ladder you’re using, it’s not a bad idea to have someone else there to spot you.

Skipping 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 may also be a good idea! A mask that covers your nose and mouth (or even a bandana wrapped around your face) will help prevent chemicals from irritating your respiratory tract, while goggles will keep harmful fumes out of your eyes.

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 even mold, which can get pushed into the air if the humidifier continues to be used.

These airborne pathogens can be especially harmful to those with allergies and asthma, so it’s important to clean your humidifier regularly

Mixing 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 don’t just occur when solutions are mixed—they can even form if you use one cleaner after another on the same surface. If you’ve tried one cleaner and aren’t satisfied with the results, wipe the area down with soapy water before trying another cleaner.