Are household cleaners safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about household cleaners during pregnancy?

1. Routine household cleaning at normal use levels hasn't been shown to raise pregnancy risks when you use standard ventilation and gloves. 1
2. Never mix bleach with ammonia-containing products, like many glass cleaners and some multi-surface sprays: the resulting vapors can injure your lungs. 2
3. Read and follow the label on every disinfectant, since concentration, ventilation, and contact time all affect how much you breathe in. 3
4. 'Natural' cleaners with high concentrations of essential oils aren't automatically safer in pregnancy than milder mainstream products: the ingredient list matters more than the branding. 4

Is household cleaners safe in each trimester?

• First trimester. Skip heavy-duty tasks like oven cleaner, drain cleaner, and mildew remover where you can in the first trimester. Hand off the strongest-smelling jobs to someone else if possible.
• Second trimester. The same guidance applies here. Open a window and wear gloves for anything stronger than a daily wipe-down.
• Third trimester. The same guidance applies, plus watch your balance and physical strain now too: skip ladders and heavy scrubbing on your knees, not just the strong chemicals.