if spring has you thinking of doing a deep-clean, you might want to skip the bleach

while it might not feel like it, spring is on its way and with it,  the annual tradition of “spring cleaning.”  

the history of spring cleaning  

spring cleaning is a popular practice in many parts of the world with deep roots in spirituality, religion and tradition depending on the region.   

in thailand and some other parts of southeast asia, the new year holiday songkran is celebrated between april 13 to 15 every spring. songkran is famous for public water fights performed as a cleansing ritual, and many people scrub their homes from top to bottom as one of the many traditions meant to rid their lives of sin and bad luck.   

a similar tradition exists during nowruz, the persian new year. nowruz occurs around march 20 (spring equinox) every year, with traditions dating back thousands of years. in addition to preparing specific foods, and visiting with family and friends, part of nowruz traditionally includes khaneh tekani, which translates literally to “shaking the house”.  

according to the washington post , a mass-cleaning became a necessity in the spring in the 1800s here in the west when people used oil-burning lamps for light and coal for heat. a long winter of coal and whale oil burning left the house covered in a thick layer of soot, so when the weather finally improved, doors and windows were flung open, and the home was scoured with less burning needed during longer, warmer days.  

there are countless other examples throughout the world of spring being used as a natural time to give the home a thorough clean, but what exactly does it take to do a true “deep clean”?  

day-to-day cleaning usually consists of tasks like taking the garbage out, cleaning the kitchen and bathroom surfaces, tidying, dusting and vacuuming. a deep clean is when you roll up your sleeves and get to the grittier parts of your home that can sometimes be neglected.  

that can mean scrubbing grout and tile in the bathroom, disinfecting garbage cans, removing limescale and soap scum and cleaning around the toilet base. in the kitchen, getting to rarely seen spots like under and behind appliances is a good start. cleaning inside the oven, cupboards and fridge, organizing cupboards and drawers and scrubbing grout on countertops or backsplashes are typical of a deep clean.  

a deep clean in the rest of the home might include cleaning the tops of fan blades, vacuuming curtains and upholstery, cleaning blinds, baseboards, windowsills, door frames, lamp shades, vent covers and walls.  

many cleaning products can be dangerous if ingested, or if the fumes are inhaled in large quantities. one woman’s story went viral recently after posting a photo of her daughter, hospitalized and intubated after using clorox clean-up cleaner + bleach fresh scent, a household cleaner that uses sodium hypochlorite — commonly known as bleach. inhaling high levels of sodium hypochlorite can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs. according to the michigan department of community health, some immediate signs that you have been exposed to too much bleach include severe shortness of breath and coughing that can lead to death. the long-term effects include lung disease.  

instead of using products filled with potentially harmful chemicals that can make pets and family members sick, consider making your own homemade all-purpose cleaner using two cups of three per cent hydrogen peroxide mixed with the essential oils of your choice for scent. ingredients such as lemon, vinegar, salt and water can also be used to make cleaners that are organic, safe and effective. good housekeeping’s 8 best homemade cleaners list — which covers mixtures to tackle everything from grease to clothing stains — includes all-purpose cleaner that consists of o ne part white vinegar, one part water, some lemon rind and rosemary sprigs.

while many companies do not disclose what specific chemicals are in their cleaning products, be on the lookout for chemicals such as mea (monoethanalomine), dea (diethanolamine), tea (triethanolamine), ammonia, phthalates, nonylphenol ethoxylates (npes) and quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) as part of potentially harmful products found in various cleaners.  

while most household cleaning products are reasonable safe, according to the cleveland clinic , remember that the amount of toxicity depends on things like how much you use, how long you are exposed and any inappropriate mixing.

for more information on the safe use of household cleaning products check out the government of canada’s recommendations by clicking here .

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if spring has you thinking of doing a deep-clean, you might want to skip the bleach

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