10 Spring cleaning safety tips By taking these steps, you can help keep your home safe and clean this spring. Keep safety in mind while you clean Chances are good that you already have other handy cleaning items besides bleach. You can use soap and warm water to scrub away dirt and germs. Use baking soda for tougher scrubbing. Vinegar is also useful for cleaning. Remember to treat any cleaner with care. For example: • Use caution, protection, and ventilation when using all cleaners, even those that are marketed as green or natural. Treat them with the same respect you show for cleaners that you know to be toxic. • Check the labels and follow the instructions to make sure you use the product correctly. • Keep all cleaners out of reach to protect small children or pets. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; American Lung Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cleaning with disinfectants Bleach is a common cleaner that can sanitize or disinfect surfaces. As with any disinfectant, use it — and store it — with care. Never mix bleach or any products that have bleach in them with ammonia. The resulting fumes can cause severe illness and death. When using any disinfectants, follow the label’s instructions. Protect your skin and eyes from contact with the cleaner. Use it in a ventilated area to help reduce the fumes. First, do you plan to clean, sanitize, or disinfect the surfaces in your house? Keep these tips in mind: • Cleaning removes most dirt and debris from surfaces. Clean a surface before moving on to sanitizing or disinfecting. This allows the heavier cleaners to reach the germs. • Sanitizing reduces germs on a cleaned surface. • Disinfecting kills germs and may involve bleach cleaners or other heavy-duty disinfecting products. Avoid using disinfectant sprays when children are present. Spring is the perfect time to do some much-needed house cleaning. Before you start, there are a few things you should know about spring cleaning safety.
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