Contrary to what you’ve heard, it IS safe to use cleaning products during pregnancy (wanting to clean, on the other hand….) Just remember to take a few precautions. First, make sure you have plenty of fresh air circulating where you’re working and wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt to protect your body (chemicals can be absorbed through the skin).

There is one cleaning job you’ll ask your partner to do – your oven. Oven cleaners give off A LOT of fumes. Another no-no is aerosol cleaning products, which release breathable chemicals into the air. If any fumes make you feel sick, ask someone else to do the cleaning. (hey, you’ve got the ultimate excuse!)

Finally, regardless of whether you’re pregnant or not, it’s important to remember never to mix different chemicals, such as ammonia and bleach. Such a combination can be very dangerous to anyone inhaling it. You can make your own all-purpose, all-natural cleaner by mixing vegetable-based liquid soap with a few drops of lavender essential oil. You can also look for natural cleaning products free of harsh + toxic substances. White distilled vinegar makes a great natural cleaner, and baking soda can clean tough marks from ovens. If you don’t have time to DIY, you can always shop “green” cleaning products that contain natural, organic ingredients instead of chemicals.