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.
How Can Bathroom Cleaning Fumes Make You Sick?
When you’re using household cleaners, VOCs and other chemicals released can contribute to chronic respiratory problems, spur allergic reactions, and cause headaches, according to the American Lung Association. Research also links exposure to chemicals from cleaning supplies to occupational asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
Simply put, many cleaning products contain chemicals that can negatively impact indoor air quality, and poor air quality is a no-go for health, says Michael Rubino, a mold and air-quality expert, environmental wellness advocate, and founder of HomeCleanse.
For example, many bleach products have chlorine-containing compounds, such as hypochlorous acid (HOCl). These fumes are bad for indoor air quality and can irritate your eyes, skin, and respiratory system, causing symptoms like coughing, headaches, and watery eyes, explains Rubino, who is also president of Change the Air Foundation and host of the Never Been Sicker podcast.
Bleach isn’t the only culprit, though. Other products may contain a wide range of chemicals that can be harmful, including ammonia, phthalates, formaldehyde, sodium hydroxide, and more, Rubino says. These chemicals can also lead to respiratory issues and skin irritation.
“If these products are used, airing out the space will replace the chemical-filled air with healthier air outside the room,” Rubino explains. This is especially important in bathrooms because the fumes and vapors from chemicals can get trapped inside a confined space instead of having a wider area to disperse. This leads to higher levels of exposure, triggering a wide range of potential side effects, he says.
Keeping your bathroom dry and well-ventilated is always important, but this is especially true after cleaning, says Tony Abate, an indoor air quality expert and the vice president and chief technology officer at AtmosAir Solutions, an air purification and monitoring technology company. That’s why it’s always best to open a window if you have one or run your bathroom fan when you’re cleaning.
As for keeping your bathroom dry? Bathrooms are prone to growing mold and mildew when moisture is left sitting for too long, so make sure there are no drips or pools of water that may be left over from cleaning.
Tips for Safely Cleaning a Bathroom
When you’re cleaning your bathroom with chemicals, Rubino recommends wearing protective gear like gloves, goggles, and a mask or respirator to limit your exposure.
Read cleaning labels and follow instructions and safety precautions. Never mix any cleaning products together, Rubino cautions. Apply any product sparingly and make sure to rinse surfaces thoroughly afterward to remove all the residue. He also recommends washing your hands thoroughly after cleaning and changing your clothes.
Can You Shower After Cleaning Your Bathroom?
While it can feel great to take the first shower in a freshly cleaned bathroom, you’ll want to keep the timing and products of your last scrub-down in mind before you switch on the tap.
If you use all-natural cleaners, you can shower right away. However, if they’re packed full of chemicals, it’s better to wait a while before showering and allow the bathroom to ventilate, says Rubino.