Good housekeeping is directly proportional to your worth as a woman, at least in India. So, we all scrub the kitchen, dust the shelves, and bask in that fresh, just-cleaned smell. But here’s a shocking truth: if you clean your home regularly, you are damaging your lungs. A new study has revealed something that every woman who reaches for the mop or cleaning spray needs to know: cleaning at home or even professionally can damage your lungs over time.

Cleaning your home regularly = Smoking 2 cigarette packs a day

The study followed more than 6,000 people as part of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey for over 20 years. What they found was eye-opening: women who cleaned regularly experienced a noticeably quicker decline in their lung function compared to those who didn’t.

Specifically, women cleaning at home saw their Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁), a key measure of lung function, drop about 3.6 millilitres per year faster than non-cleaners. For professional cleaners, the decline was even steeper, at 3.9 millilitres per year. To put that into perspective, this is roughly comparable to the damage caused by smoking nearly 20 cigarettes a day for 20 years.

Interestingly, the study found that men didn’t seem to experience the same effects, even if they cleaned professionally. While the exact reasons aren’t clear, it could be a combination of biological differences and higher levels of exposure among women.

Why this study is a wake-up call

This isn’t just an academic finding, this study has real-world implications. Millions of women around the world are responsible for household cleaning or work in cleaning jobs, meaning a large portion of the population could be unknowingly putting their lung health at risk. The usual suspects are the chemicals lurking in everyday cleaning products: bleach, ammonia, and various disinfectants. These can irritate the respiratory system, leading to inflammation and a gradual reduction in lung capacity over time. Some of these cleaning products contain hazardous chemicals that can increase the chances of lung cancer.

How to protect yourself without giving up cleanliness

Side effects of the cleaning products we use are many, so it’s time to ditch those and switch to some gentler cleaning. Here’s what you can do.

• Switch to gentler alternatives: Vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda can do the job without toxic chemicals.
• Ventilate like a boss: Open windows, use fans, and let fresh air flow while cleaning.
• Gear up: Gloves and masks aren’t just for germs, they shield your lungs too.
• Break it up: Don’t spend hours at a stretch scrubbing. Short, regular sessions are safer.

Ladies, it’s time to rethink the “cleaning queen” hustle. Your home doesn’t need to be spotless if your lungs are paying the price. Clean smart, protect your health, and let’s start giving our lungs the love they deserve.

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