Asthma

[PAP48]

Can anyone recommend household cleaning products that are suitable for asthma sufferers? Most of the products available in supermarkets seem to aggravate. Many thanks for any recommendations.

[Lincolnlady]

I can't use supermarket ones either but I can use Ocean savers and they clean well. They may not suit everyone though as you do still have to spray them.

[PAP48 in reply to Lincolnlady]

Thank you Lincolnlady - I have seen Ocean Savers so I'll give them a try. I'm not sure it's the spray as much as the perfume in the product.

[Threecats]

I have problems with these things too. White vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda have been my saviours!

[PAP48 in reply to Threecats]

Thank you Threecats, I've thought about baking soda and I cleaned the bathroom with white vinegar today and it worked well. Do you mix the baking soda with the lemon juice to make a paste?

[Threecats in reply to PAP48]

Hi PAP48

You could do that I suppose but I tend to just make a paste with a little water. I must say it still surprises me how effective it is. The lemon juice I add to the vinegar/water mix I use for the kitchen worktops etc. I also put white vinegar in the fabric conditioner drawer when I do the washing as I can’t do any of those strongly scented conditioners either. I find it works well to help soften the washing and the washing doesn’t come out smelling like a fish and chip shop either😀 I get through a lot of vinegar so now buy it in 5 litre containers as it works out cheaper that way.

Hope that helps and happy cleaning! TC

[PAP48 in reply to Threecats]

Lots to choose from Threecats thank you. I, too, don't like the strong fragrance of fabric conditioners. I'll definitely try the white vinegar (fish and chips fragrance actually smells more appealing that the highly scented ones 😊). Better get my rubber gloves on! Thank you.

[Germantara]

I'm just speaking bout peaple I know with asthma some buy eco friendly products and one or off them only use washing up liquid but maybe you might get some better information with peaple posts

[PAP48 in reply to Germantara]

Thank you Germantara, I've seen eco friendly products but not sure how well they will clean. Washing up liquid works well on most things but it's removing stains etc.

[Yumz199725]

Oh wow that's a good question I wasn't even aware it could do that?? Is this one of your asthma triggers??

[PAP48 in reply to Yumz199725]

Yes Yumz199725, particularly if they are strong smelling and I'm using them in a fairly confined space. The worst one is cleaning the oven, I must admit I have someone in to do that for me now and keep out of the room.

[Oscarpebbles2021 in reply to PAP48]

I use Lakeland gel for the oven. Mr muscle used to make me chesty. This gel has absolutely no smell at all

[Troilus]

Hi PAP48. Scented cleaning products set me off too. It took me a while to make the connection to some products.

For most jobs I use Surcare or maybe even Surecare washing up liquid from Sainsbury’s. There are other eco ones but they still trigger me. I find I’m ok with Brillo pads for “tough jobs” and still like to use Domestos on stainless steel and for the toilet. I find the Domestos white is a bit more friendly than the blue bottle but I rinse with cold water so as not to cause too many fumes. For clothes I do a second rinse and I don’t use fabric conditioner.

[PAP48 in reply to Troilus]

I've tried eco ones too that also affect me, I'll have a look at the Surcare products, I have tried the fabric softener but that still has quite a strong fragrance. Even furniture polish sets me off! Not quite so bad in the summer when I can have all the doors and windows open.

[PaulineHM]

Hiya PAP48.

I use Ecover products not only to save the lungs but as part of a sustainable lifestyle!

Use Ecover washing up liquid, laundry detergent, fabric softener and all purpose cleaner and refill them from the local refill shops. Everyday cleaning I use 50%white vinegar with 50% water. This can used for almost everything from dentures to non stock pans.

I never need to use nasty bleach or other horrid chemicals.

If you can too it will be a good choice.

Go well.

Pauline

[Patk1 in reply to PaulineHM]

It's a great idea having a refill shopWe don't have that

[PaulineHM in reply to Patk1]

Oh that is a shame, it can be helpful to have refill shops locally. I live in a large village and we have three shops here which offer refills !

I also use Ecover toilet cleaner which has a string odour but doesn’t irritate the lungs.

I have bought a bulk supply from Ecover supplier and that way I can fill up at home.

Keep well.

Pauline

[PAP48 in reply to PaulineHM]

We don't have a refill shop near us either although I think there is a 'refillable' van travels round but I don't know if they have Ecover. Worth a check though. Thank you Pauline, keep safe. Penny

[PaulineHM in reply to PAP48]

Ah yes, well worth following up to check that out.

Let us know how you get on.

Pauline

[Bistine]

Hi PAP48

I use Method products. They're plant based and don't affect my asthma nearly as much as move mainstream cleaning products. They're not the cheapest but I stock up when they are on special offer.

Before I discovered Method I used to spend Saturday mornings cleaning then Saturday afternoons debilitated with asthma. This no longer happens.

I hope you find something that suits you though as we're all individuals, even with our asthma you may need to experiment a little.

[PAP48 in reply to Bistine]

I have got a few Method products, they are very good. I agree, we are all different with what affects our particular asthma. I read that Tesco were bringing out a range called Breathease, specifically for asthmatics but I haven't managed to find them in any stores near me or on line. Maybe the line is still a work in progress.

[anng18]

Sugar soap and also be very good

[PAP48 in reply to anng18]

Thank you anng18, everything is worth a try.

[Zand60]

Hi there, I use cif, used to be jif, cream as I can't stand any sprays. If i do use a spray I put a mask on and hold it at arms length.

Hope this helps x

Lesley xx

[PAP48 in reply to Zand60]

Thank you for the your tips Lesley, I do open all the windows if I can, although not at the moment with all the torrential rain an wind! xx

[Ava09]

Most Vegan friendly products are free from chemicals.

Also get yourself a empty spray bottle and mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part water for glass cleaner, dries with no streaks and doesn't irritate breathing and environment friendly and cheaper...

[Solily]

I have asthma and COPD and many scents bother me. So I just mix some white vinegar and water. Cleans everything well without annoying scents. I would like to try to add a drop or two of essential oils but don't know which to use! I also mist a microfiber cloth with this mixture to dust my wood furniture... works quite well