Cleaning Tips: This morning I had... - Asthma Community ...

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Cleaning Tips

Junglechicken profile image
32 Replies

This morning I had something very gunky to clean. I use a fragrance free cleaner (brand is called Method. V expensive but worth the money as it means I don’t wheeze) on my worktops etc however it wasn’t cutting it on this dirt. I decided to use an other cleaner which is stronger but has a very strong smell, it’s a bit chilly to have windows open but I thought it would be ok. You guessed it. Wheezing after 5 mins using the stuff ,PF dropped to 70%. Does anyone have any tips or recommend good fragrance free cleaning products to shift the thick grime?

Ps My salbutamol has pushed me back into my green zone. I’ve asked my dad to do the rest of the cleaning!

Thank You

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Junglechicken profile image
Junglechicken
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32 Replies
Js706 profile image
Js706

I’ve not tried it myself yet but know that @EmmaF91 said she got this stuff recently:

uk.koh.com/

And that it was really good at cleaning but not causing chest issues! (It’s on my to buy list!)

Junglechicken profile image
Junglechicken in reply to Js706

Js706 you are such a lovely person! You always reply to my posts and check I’m ok. It’s like catch 22. You need to clean things to keep your self well but the stuff you need to do it makes you poorly! I do have a steam cleaner that I think I should make more use of. I’ll check out that link, thank you

EmmaF91 profile image
EmmaF91Community Ambassador in reply to Junglechicken

Yeah. Koh. Just discovered it. Scent free (and apparently environmentally friendly too). Cleaned an oven with very little effort and only issue why I in essence breathed in a mouthful of the stuff (made me cough but no asthma)

Junglechicken profile image
Junglechicken in reply to EmmaF91

Your a star too Emma x

EmmaF91 profile image
EmmaF91Community Ambassador in reply to Junglechicken

💁‍♀️😂. Ps meant to say Koh is a one stop shop (does everything - windows, floor, bathroom, kitchen, carpets, grouting. You name it it probably does it. The only thing I’m not sure about is mould)

strongmouse profile image
strongmouse in reply to EmmaF91

Emma does it get rid of grease and stains such as tea stains?

EmmaF91 profile image
EmmaF91Community Ambassador in reply to strongmouse

Yes (or at least it has cleaned everything I’ve tried to clean so far including my oven, hob, toilet, sinks, carpet, floor etc etc etc 😅... it’s a recent discovery for me so still playing and experimenting)... it also comes with a 30-day money back guarantee so if it doesn’t work 😉

Ghoulette profile image
Ghoulette in reply to EmmaF91

I have Koh.....it's bloody brilliant. Seems to clean everything and absolutely no smell x

DollyDutchGirl profile image
DollyDutchGirl in reply to EmmaF91

Koh is absolutely amazing - and I believe it is endorsed by Asthma U.K. I totally recommend it for all types of cleaning. No fumes, chemicals or perfumes....perfect. 😊

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16

Flash magic eraser are good, similar product on amazon - magic cleaning sponge, also sometimes on shopping channel (can't remember which but either Ideal world or QVC) the same product under the name of It Works, but not currently listed on either website.

These are white sponges that you wet with warm water and nothing else, and then use to clean a surface. When soiled, rinse in the water and re-use. I haven't tried them on grease but they have cleaned my oven door and they are very good at cleaning scum off bathroom surfaces. Quite amazing how they work really. They do break up eventually but are better made than when I first discovered them several years ago. I don't know if they would work on your 'gunk' though.

Cleaning products are a nightmare for me too, though I do find Cif doesn't bother me too much. Getting your dad to do the cleaning sounds like a much better idea, can I borrow him?

Junglechicken profile image
Junglechicken in reply to CDPO16

😂 Getting him to clean here is hard enough and he only did it because I was wheezing. He couldn’t understand why this cleaner I had used before was making me wheeze. Had to explain that my asthma has become worse and I’m a lot more sensitive to triggers now. A magic cleaning sponge sounds like a great idea. I wonder if Lakeland would have something similar? I’ll check there website. Thank you

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16 in reply to Junglechicken

Well, it was worth asking!

I don't know about Lakeland but if they don't do them the Flash ones are in most supermarkets in a twin pack. Not particularly cheap but might be worth trying before a bulk purchase.

Hope you find something that helps you.

K8ty25 profile image
K8ty25 in reply to Junglechicken

I dont know about the sponges but there are wipes sold by detol that come pre-soaked in cleaner so you don't have to spray anything. I think they are available in most supermarkets. Tesco also do an own brand version. I use both regularly and they work well. I am also very sensitive to cleaning fluid but find these dont bother me

Junglechicken profile image
Junglechicken in reply to K8ty25

Yes, I use the dettol ones as the scent is very mild. I find the supermarket brands a little strong for me.

Wheezycat profile image
Wheezycat

Often Bicarbonate of Soda, on a damp cloth, works well. Or mixed with water and smeared in ovens works if left, say, overnight. My favourite go to for stuck on grease. And it is cheap, and easily available.

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16 in reply to Wheezycat

Yes, Bicarb. Reminds me that things used years before the invention of modern chemicals are often very effective. Thanks for that.

Junglechicken profile image
Junglechicken in reply to Wheezycat

That sounds like a great thing to try. I’ve never got on with oven cleaners even when my asthma was mild. Heaven only knows what would happen now x

Junglechicken profile image
Junglechicken

I was out shopping today and popped into Lakeland. They do an eco cloth that you just wet and it cleans. Going to see how effective it is on the gunk!

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54

Have a look at this as well x

thespruce.com/homemade-and-...

Agilityunner profile image
Agilityunner

Vinegar and/or bicarb. are pretty good for a lot of things. I look up how to clean stuff using them on the web. I find that although the Ecover products do have some scent it's very mild and doesn't set my asthma off. Hope you find something that works for you

Singinglouder profile image
Singinglouder in reply to Agilityunner

I’m an Ecover fan, tho they’ve changed some recipes lately, so still working out what’s ok - not the new Ecover loo cleaner, tho - it’s really strong!

Junglechicken profile image
Junglechicken in reply to Singinglouder

I’m ok with plain old bleach for the toilet. The strong pine cleaners are a big no no.

Singinglouder profile image
Singinglouder in reply to Junglechicken

I struggle a bit with bleach. The old Ecover, tho, was a light gingery smell I could cope with - shame it's gone.

Tvpuzzle profile image
Tvpuzzle

Hi i use a damp cloth for dusting as poish makes me wheezy. Lakeland do a brilliant oven cleaner called oven mate no smell but great for grease. Bicarb and vinegar good for fridges, worktops and bathrooms. Hope you are doing ok.

Wheezycat profile image
Wheezycat in reply to Tvpuzzle

I use vinegar and bicarbonate for most things these days, trying to avoid for various reasons buying more cleaning products than I really need.

Wheezycat profile image
Wheezycat

I read up on it a while ago when I needed to clean the oven, not something I do often. I dislike any strong smelling cleaners, always have done. It worked, but I suggest you read up on it. The secret was in leaving it for a while.

Junglechicken profile image
Junglechicken

The Lakeland e cloth has just done a fabulous job on my shower screen. Absolutely sparkling! Strongly recommended, no fragrance at all.

Singinglouder profile image
Singinglouder

Lidl have microfibre cloths coming up from Sunday - five pack (bathroom, kitchen, dust, furniture, glass according to the description, tho what the difference between dust and furniture is I have no idea!) for £3.49. (Don't have shares - just a Lidl nearby). Not E cloths, a different brand, but same principle.

nancyminder profile image
nancyminder

I've used Method daily shower sprays which are very good but they do have a fragrance. They haven't affected my breathing though. Not sure about Koh, isn't it just potassium hydroxide?

MMBJI profile image
MMBJI

Hi, someone else may have said this already, bicarbonate of soda and/ or white vinegar. Bicarbonate on its own acts as a gentle abrasive, if you add vinegar it creates a fizzy reaction (which is kinda fun!)

Sprinkle bicarbonate over the muck, use a cloth or brush to scrub a thing, or add hot water/white vinegar for fizzy no scrub jobs! Very good for tea stains.

Cp26 profile image
Cp26

I use On guard cleaning concentrate by DoTERRA. It is made with essential oils, I use it for all my cleaning and it doesn’t cause any problems with my asthma. Please contact me if you would like to know more. Carol

Saassii profile image
Saassii

A respirator...a terrible way to cope but the only way to manage some tasks. I'm entirely chemical free and accelerated drying in bathrooms to avoid the entire mold and cleaning problem.

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