Parents naturally want to do everything they can to keep their children safe. But ironically, some of the same products we use to clean and freshen our homes can also introduce unwanted chemicals that linger in the air. Certain household cleaners and air fresheners fall into that category because they can emit volatile organic compounds.

Ongoing exposure to VOCs can contribute to eye, skin, and respiratory irritation; short- and long-term memory impairment; and even organ damage and cancer, depending on the specific chemicals and the extent of the exposure.

Here are some steps you can take to avoid introducing VOCs to your indoor air when you clean:

Avoid aerosol sprays. These include air fresheners, cleaners, and furniture polish.

Consider fume-free or homemade cleaners and avoid mixing and using different cleaners simultaneously. Check out these do-it-yourself cleaning recipes.

Prevent odors. Rather than using air fresheners, get rid of the source of the odor or leave a box of baking soda in the smelly area.

Limit dry cleaning that uses perc (perchloroethylene) and air out treated items before bringing them indoors. You can also try “wet” cleaning or other services that don’t use perc.

Read the rest of this and other posts on our ShopSmart blog. And learn more about low-VOC interior paints on our Home blog.

Do you try to minimize chemicals in your home? How? We'd like to hear your tips.