Have you ever forgotten to wear gloves while cleaning your oven? You may have discovered that your hands became dry and that your skin seemed to burn or itch. This is a common reaction when your skin comes in contact with a harsh chemical cleaning product, such as what you may use to clean your range, counters, or bathroom. So how can you avoid damaging or irritating your skin with household cleaning products?
Know What Cleaning Products You’re Using
Be sure to read labels on all cleaning products so you can understand what chemicals are in them and how the product’s maker suggests you use them. Most cleaning product labels also include warnings and instructions in the case of ingestion or if you get the product in your eyes, both of which can be useful should you accidentally get the product where it shouldn’t be.
Store Your Products Safely
Unsafe storage conditions can cause cleaning products to leak or congeal, making it more likely that your skin will come in contact with them. Make sure that your products are also clearly labeled so you don’t accidentally use the wrong product in the wrong way.
Don’t Mix Cleaning Products
Combining two different cleaning products can be dangerous not only for your skin but also for your life. Bleach and ammonia, when mixed, can create a toxic gas with deadly results. According to Chemical & Engineering News, incidents involving mixed cleaning products happen more than 2,000 times a year in America.
Wear Gloves
Gloves are the easiest way to ensure that your skin doesn’t come in contact with harmful cleaning chemicals. The best gloves to use are the reusable, washable gloves that reach the forearm, not just covering the hand but the wrist as well. Make sure that you don’t let your cleaners splash you, and always wash your gloves like you wash your hands before you remove them after cleaning.
Wash Your Hands
As soon as you’re done with any sort of cleaning product (including such innocuous products like laundry detergent) wash your hands with warm water and handsoap, the gentler the better. This will save not only your hands but also your eyes and mouth in case your hands come in contact with them later.