Is Your Home Pregnancy-Safe? Detergents, Floor Cleaners, and Mosquito Repellents Under the Microscope

ByHemali Ramchandani
Updated: 13 Aug 2025, 6:30 pm

Even the cleanest homes can harbour invisible threats during pregnancy, especially in the products you use to disinfect, deodorise, or protect. Detergents, floor cleaners, and mosquito repellents often contain ingredients that may disrupt hormones, irritate your skin, or trigger respiratory symptoms. Not all exposures are equally risky, but understanding which ones to limit, and how, is key to creating a safer space for both you and your baby.

Pregatips
Your home doesn’t have to smell like disinfectant to be safe. And it shouldn’t make you nauseous, dizzy, or worried every time you clean. But that’s exactly what happens for many pregnant people who start reading product labels too late, after they’ve already developed aversions, skin rashes, or headaches they can’t explain.

In this article:


With hormonal shifts heightening your sensitivity to smells, chemicals, and allergens, it’s worth asking: What’s really in your detergent? Is your favourite mosquito repellent safe for a developing foetus? And are floor cleaners that say “natural” actually any better?

Let’s break it down, product by product, ingredient by ingredient.


What Are the Common Household Ingredients You Should Watch Out For?

You’re exposed to many chemicals daily, but only a few raise real concerns during pregnancy. The risk depends on concentration, frequency of use, ventilation, and your personal sensitivity.

Here’s what to look for:

Detergents

  • Fragrance/Parfum: Often a mix of undisclosed chemicals. Many are endocrine disruptors or skin irritants.
  • Optical Brighteners: Leave behind residues on clothes and bedding that can trigger contact dermatitis.
  • Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs): Restricted in many countries, these surfactants are linked to hormonal disruption in animal studies.

Floor Cleaners

  • Ammonia: A strong respiratory irritant. Can worsen nausea, cause eye/throat burning, and increase asthma risk with repeated exposure.
  • Chlorine or bleach: High exposure can irritate mucous membranes and may increase miscarriage risk in poorly ventilated areas.
  • Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats): Found in antibacterial floor wipes or liquids. Linked to fertility concerns in animal studies.

Mosquito Repellents

  • DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide): Common and widely studied. Considered safe in concentrations under 30% for topical use during pregnancy, but still controversial due to potential neurotoxicity in long-term, high-dose exposure.
  • Allethrin and permethrin (in vapourisers or sprays): Synthetic pyrethroids used in plug-ins and coils. Inhalation in unventilated spaces may be linked to foetal growth restriction or developmental effects.
  • Camphor, eucalyptus, or citronella (in natural repellents): Not always benign. Camphor is especially discouraged due to its neurotoxic potential when inhaled or applied in large amounts.


Why These Chemicals Matter More in Pregnancy

Even low-level chemical exposure can affect a pregnant person differently than it would otherwise. That’s because:

  • Respiratory rate increases during pregnancy, making you inhale more deeply and frequently.
  • Skin becomes more permeable due to hormonal shifts, making irritants more likely to cause rashes or reactions.
  • The placenta doesn’t block all toxins. Some volatile compounds, like phthalates or pesticides, have been found in umbilical cord blood.

Scientific studies link chronic exposure to certain household chemicals with the following concerns:

  • Increased risk of asthma or wheezing in offspring (prenatal exposure to disinfectants)
  • Higher chances of low birth weight or small-for-gestational-age infants (exposure to indoor air pollutants)
  • Disruption of maternal thyroid and oestrogen pathways (from synthetic fragrance compounds)
  • Potential neurodevelopmental effects (linked to pyrethroid insecticides and high levels of DEET)


What Increases Your Risk at Home?

Certain habits or home setups may unknowingly increase your exposure.

  • Frequent mopping in enclosed spaces – More vapours, less airflow.
  • Use of multiple fragranced products at once – Detergents, air fresheners, floor cleaners, etc.
  • Inhalation of mosquito coils overnight – Pyrethroid coils release fine particulate matter linked to respiratory symptoms.
  • Using hot water with strong chemicals – Increases volatility of vapours like bleach or ammonia.
  • Not washing baby clothes separately – Adult detergents often leave residues that cling to fibres, especially if fabric softeners are used.


How Can You Reduce Harm Without Overhauling Your Life?

It doesn’t require a total product purge. Just smarter swaps and better habits.

Detergents

  • Use fragrance-free, plant-based options: Look for products labelled “free & clear,” “non-toxic,” or “hypoallergenic.” Avoid misleading green-washed claims—check for third-party certification (like EWG Verified, though not India-specific).
  • Switch to soapnuts or reetha: For handwashing baby clothes. These Ayurvedic alternatives contain natural saponins and are biodegradable.
  • Rinse clothes well. Extra rinse cycles reduce residual detergent, especially important for innerwear and baby garments.

Floor Cleaners

  • Opt for diluted white vinegar or baking soda in warm water. Vinegar is naturally antibacterial, non-toxic, and effective on most surfaces.
  • Use essential oils sparingly, if at all. Some oils (like tea tree or peppermint) are not recommended during pregnancy.
  • Avoid commercial floor disinfectants with strong synthetic fragrance. Open windows while mopping, and always wear gloves if your skin is sensitive.

Mosquito Repellents

  • Choose nets over coils or sprays. A physical barrier like a mosquito net avoids chemical exposure altogether.
  • Use low-concentration topical repellents (under 30% DEET or 20% picaridin), and apply only to exposed areas, never under clothing.
  • Natural alternatives like lemongrass or citronella patches may offer temporary protection, but should still be used with caution. Don’t burn incense sticks or oils with camphor in enclosed bedrooms.

You’re already doing so much to nurture your baby, your body, your routines, and your meals. It’s only fair that your home environment gets the same level of care. Knowing what to avoid doesn’t mean you need to live in fear. It means you’re paying attention. And that awareness alone is the strongest protection you can offer.


FAQs on Is Your Home Pregnancy-Safe? Detergents, Floor Cleaners, and Mosquito Repellents Under the Microscope


  1. Are all “natural” cleaners safe during pregnancy?
    No. Some contain essential oils or herbal ingredients that aren’t pregnancy-safe. Always check individual components and test in ventilated spaces.
  2. Is using mosquito repellent cream every day harmful?
    Topical repellents with less than 30% DEET or 20% picaridin are generally safe in pregnancy if applied correctly and not overused.
  3. Should I stop using bleach and phenyl completely?
    Not necessarily. Use them with gloves, in well-ventilated areas, and never mix them. Avoid inhaling strong fumes, especially during the first trimester.
  4. Can I keep using my scented laundry detergent?
    It’s better to switch to fragrance-free, hypoallergenic detergents, especially for undergarments, pillowcases, and baby clothes. These reduce skin irritation and residue risks.
Disclaimer: Medically approved by Dr Nirmala Chandrasekar, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fortis Hospital, Nagarbhavi

Pregnancy Week-by-Week

1 WEEK2 WEEK3 WEEK4 WEEK5 WEEK6 WEEK7 WEEK8 WEEK9 WEEK10 WEEK11 WEEK12 WEEK13 WEEK14 WEEK15 WEEK16 WEEK17 WEEK18 WEEK19 WEEK20 WEEK21 WEEK22 WEEK23 WEEK24 WEEK25 WEEK26 WEEK27 WEEK28 WEEK29 WEEK30 WEEK31 WEEK32 WEEK33 WEEK34 WEEK35 WEEK36 WEEK37 WEEK38 WEEK39 WEEK40 WEEK