Cleaning
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Cleaning products
5 Common Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOCs may be found in cosmetics and personal care products such as:
shampoo and conditioner
nail polish
hair spray
rubbing alcohol
hair dye
spray deodorant
sunscreen
To reduce exposure, look for products that are certified as safe, such as plant-based products, and avoid those that feature safety warnings or contain ingredients such as benzene, toluene, acetone, and formaldehyde.
In a pinch, when using these products, open windows and turn on fans to ventilate areas where VOCs may build up. Seal products firmly after use.
Personal care products
Paint and other craft supplies
Dry-cleaned clothing
Furniture
Personal care products
Paint and other
craft supplies
Furniture
Dry-cleaned
clothing
Many household cleaning products, such as detergents, disinfectants, aerosol sprays, and polishes, contain VOCs.
According to the American Lung Association, the best way to reduce exposure to VOCs found in cleaners is to stop using products that contain them. Check product labels before buying. Look for products with seals certifying their safety, and avoid cleaners with warnings.
If you need to use cleaning products that contain VOCs, do so in a ventilated area while wearing protective gear, including a mask or respirator.
Certain art and craft supplies, such as paint, glue, and markers, may contain high levels of VOCs.
Low-VOC versions of some art supplies may be available. If they are not, try to use these products outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. When you’re finished with your project, be sure to close all the containers tightly.
Composite wood products, such as particle board, and other materials found in home furnishings, such as foams and upholstery, can all contain VOCs.
To reduce your VOC exposure, look for low-VOC options whenever you're bringing a new mattress, couch, or other piece of furniture into your home.
If your budget allows, consider choosing real wood furniture over products made from particle board — but note that oil-based wood finishes can also contain VOCs. If replacing your furniture is not an option, try to improve the ventilation in your home.
Dry-cleaning involves using chemical solvents, such as perchloroethylene, to clean fabrics. Clothes that have recently been dry-cleaned may off-gas these chemicals for days or weeks.
To reduce exposure to VOCs, machine-wash your clothes whenever possible.
If you need to dry-clean certain garments, look for a facility that uses a cleaning method free of VOCs. If that's not an option, hang dry-cleaned clothes in a well-ventilated area when you get home, so they can off-gas without exposing you to VOCs.
