Did you know that in the 50s pregnant women were not supposed to clean? Doctors frequently advised plenty of bed rest and no strenuous activities such as tidying up and cleaning. However, consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes were not frowned upon back then. Crazy, huh! Fortunately for us, things have improved since then and while drinking and smoking while pregnant are off-limits, housekeeping is not.
Due to the nesting instinct or the overpowering need to have your home clean and organised, many pregnant women feel the strong urge to get up and start tidying up. Cleaning while pregnant, however, might be difficult. Growing bellies throw women off balance and make them more prone to falling. Poisonous gases can be hazardous to both the mom and the baby. Keep reading to find out what you can do to make cleaning safer for the mother-to-be.
Safe tips and tricks to make pregnant cleaning safer and easier
When offered, enlisting the help of family and friends can make cleaning while pregnant easier and more enjoyable. Follow these cleaning suggestions to make the whole process safer for the mom, the baby, and the rest of the cleaning crew.
Go Green
Cleaning a house frequently necessitates the use of commercial products and chemicals containing potent but often hazardous components. The harsh chemicals that can be inhaled or absorbed by the skin, are one of the key risks of utilising professional cleaning solutions while pregnant.
Green cleaning is healthier and safer for pregnant women, newborns, and everyone else. What is more, it is usually quick, easy, and cheap. Green cleaning products can be made at home using affordable items such as white vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. These everyday household products are natural and effective solutions that are completely non-toxic for both mom and baby.
Ventilation is the key
If cleaning a house when pregnant, open the windows and turn on ceiling fans to allow cross-ventilation. Wear professional protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, and a mask at all times. Spray the cleaning solution straight onto a cleaning cloth, sponge, or paper towel to reduce pollutants in the air.
Take it easy
Cleaning when pregnant is not easy but is also unlikely to be urgent. Cleaning and just about everything else becomes more difficult during pregnancy. While it may be tempting to go all in and tackle the job, cleaning while pregnant might be dangerous. Dust and dirt can wait but your and your child’s health cannot.
Reduce your load
If cleaning while pregnant in your first trimester, you may feel as strong as you did before the pregnancy. However, you may not be. In conclusion, during the first trimester, your centre of gravity shifts, and your energy levels drop. So proceed with caution when lifting heavy objects. Lift light loads with your legs and do not let your stomach knock you off balance.
Vacuum everything
Climbing, stretching, and bending to reach every nook and corner of the house is not a good idea while pregnant. Your vacuum cleaner is your best friend and not just for cleaning your carpets. For baseboards, walls, ceilings, and other hard-to-reach areas use the extension attachments. The circular brush accessory is perfect for dusting both soft and hard surfaces. A telescopic dusting brush may also be useful for a more detailed dusting of high bookshelves.
Lower your standards
If you are worried about cleaning while pregnant, we have got a better solution. Why not be an okay housekeeper, instead of pushing your limits and attempting to be a great one? It is time to prepare how to be a mother and your housekeeping urgently will need to rest. When you are pregnant, decent cleaning is adequate and is far more manageable. Clean when you can and get used to it because cleaning throughout your third trimester of pregnancy may not be an option.
Cleaning while pregnant requires a different and generally lighter approach. That makes it more difficult to maintain an immaculate home. We are confident that if you follow these cleaning recommendations when pregnant, you will find the chores much easier than you originally anticipated. We understand that deep cleaning your house while pregnant is probably not at the top of your list of things to do before bringing your new baby home. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to clean your house at all. You can always reach out for help and call a professional cleaning company to come help you with the job on hand.
In general, don’t push yourself too hard, and make sure you have plenty of rest. You can always ask someone to come help you, especially in the later stages of your pregnancy. After all, your baby is the most important.