Many bathroom cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that are bad for your air quality and health. Here's how to avoid unwanted exposure.

You just finished deep-cleaning your bathroom, and you’re ready to relax. But before you step into your freshly scrubbed bathtub or launch into your skincare routine at your squeaky-clean sink, experts recommend you pause first to give your bathroom some breathing room, especially if you've used potent cleaners to sanitize and disinfect the surfaces.

Cleaning your bathroom regularly is an essential part of home upkeep to keep the space free of harmful germs. But unfortunately, chemicals in many common cleaners release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate eyes and airways, especially when you’re in a small, enclosed space like a bathroom, says Austin Jones, the CEO of Millennium Facility Services, a janitorial services company.

“Opening a window, running an exhaust fan, and avoiding the area for at least 30 minutes allows for proper ventilation and improves the indoor air quality,” Jones says.

(By the way, VOCs are also the reason you shouldn't sleep in a freshly painted room).

As far as bathroom cleaning goes, one workaround is to use natural cleaners with ingredients like lemon juice, baking soda, and white vinegar, which are cleaning alternatives that cut down on harsh fumes, Jones says.

Ahead, air quality experts explain why it’s best to let your bathroom air out after cleaning, providing helpful tips to ensure the atmosphere in your bathroom is just as clean as those surfaces.

Read the full article here: https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/cleaning-tips/a62051428/why-you-shouldnt-shower-right-after-cleaning-bathroom/