Cleaning Products That Are Not Good for Your Health

A sparkling house should not cost you your sanity or your skin.

When “Clean” Becomes Too Toxic

Look, I love a good deep clean just as much as the next broke student trying to make their space feel like a Pinterest board. There is something magical about blasting music, pulling out the mop, and pretending I am in a cleaning montage from a rom-com.

But here is the not-so-funny twist: cleaning has literally made me sick before.

And no, I do not mean emotionally because of the mountain of laundry; I mean physically sick. I once used bleach to clean the bathroom, and suddenly it felt like my brain was doing backflips. The headache was instant, my hands started peeling like I was turning into a lizard, and I had to sit down and ask myself:

“Is cleanliness actually next to godliness, or just next to chemical warfare?”

My Experience with Bleach: Regret in a Bottle

I thought bleach was the Beyoncé of cleaning products: strong, powerful, and gets the job done. Every time I used it, I felt dizzy. My skin would flake, my eyes would water, and my heart would pound like I had just submitted a 3,000-word assignment in 30 minutes.

It took one bad experience for me to realize: “Clean” does not have to mean “chemically scented.” And if a product is making you sick? It is not worth using it.

Cleaning Products That Can Harm Your Health

Here are some common products that might be harming you more than helping:

1. Bleach (e.g., Jik, Domestos)

Why it is bad: Strong fumes, skin irritation, headaches, and worsened asthma.

Warning signs: Burning nose, peeling hands (like mine), chest tightness, dizziness.

2. Heavy-Duty Floor Cleaners

Often labelled “antibacterial” or “disinfectant” but contain chemicals that irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs, especially in small spaces like student rooms or residences.

3. Air Fresheners & Scented Sprays

Artificial fragrances = hidden chemicals.

Can trigger allergies, migraines, or asthma.

If you have ever sprayed “Vanilla Breeze” and started coughing like you inhaled smoke, then you know what I mean.

4. Ammonia-Based Glass Cleaners

Found in window and mirror sprays.

Fumes irritate the eyes, nose, and lungs.

Important: Never mix with bleach; this creates a toxic gas.

Safer, Affordable Alternatives That Actually Work

You do not need expensive “organic” brands to keep your space clean and your lungs happy. Most of these are available in South Africa and student-budget friendly.

✅ 1. White Vinegar

Available at Spar, Shoprite, Pick n Pay

Use for: Windows, mirrors, counters, tiles, bathrooms

Mix with water in a spray bottle. Disinfects without fumes.

✅ 2. Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda)

Use for: Deodorizing fridges, cleaning sinks, scrubbing tubs and pots

Cheap, effective, and widely available.

✅ 3. Sunlight Dish Soap + Warm Water

Use for: Floors, surfaces, hand-washing clothes

Gentle, multipurpose, and easy to find.

✅ 4. Lemon Juice (fresh or bottled)

Use for: Natural fragrance, cutting grease, mixing with vinegar cleaner

Smells fresh without artificial chemicals.

✅ 5. Essential Oils (optional splurge)

A few drops in your vinegar mix for cleaning and scent

Look for eucalyptus, tea tree, or lavender at pharmacies or herbal stores.

✅ 6. Cloth + Hot Water

Honestly? Elbow grease and hot water can beat many harsh cleaners.

Add a dash of dish soap for magic.

DIY All-Purpose Cleaner (Student-Friendly)

Mix in a spray bottle:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Optional: few drops of dish soap or essential oil

Use for:

Countertops, bathroom tiles, kitchen surfaces, mirrors, and windows.

Clean Space, Clear Lungs

Whether you are a student, a young professional, a stay-at-home parent, or just trying to keep your space clean without getting a migraine, you deserve to feel safe in your own home. Cleaning should not feel like you need safety goggles and a gas mask. If your products are leaving you with peeling skin, burning eyes, or pounding headaches, that is not “part of the process”; that is your body asking for better.

There are affordable, safer ways to keep things fresh and tidy: no toxic clouds. No chemical battles. No drama. Just simple, clean living. So next time you reach for that harsh-smelling bottle, pause and ask, “Is this making my space healthier or just smell stronger?” Your lungs, your skin, and your peace of mind will thank you.