A Modern Mom-to-Be's Guide to Cleaning House

Hiring in a pro cleaner once every month or two won't break your budget. This allows you to handle minor maintenance, leaving the serious scouring for someone who's not pregnant!

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All-natural brands of cleaners like Method, Seventh Generation, or Ecover may cost a bit more than the standard stuff, but they're gentler on your skin and don't have a chemical smell.

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Sounds obvious, but always check product warning labels, even if it's stuff you've used all your life. Some (like paint thinners or degreasers) will advise pregnant women not to use because the chemicals are harmful to your developing baby and may raise your risk of miscarriage.

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Leaving your windows open helps ventilate your whole home. And if you're cleaning a windowless bathroom, for example, keeping the door ajar helps dissipate fumes (even if they're not toxic, they might not play so well with your heightened sense of smell).

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They're a little bulky, but they prevent chemicals from being absorbed into your skin. And it sorta goes without saying, but always give your hands a thorough post-cleaning scrub with hot water and lots of soap. Lather up and rub for at least 15 to 20 seconds.

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If you've never exactly been Suzy Homemaker, the one thing you should spend more time doing is dusting and vacuuming. Both are harmless (noxious chemical-wise) and will help zap those allergy-triggering compounds that can be especially irritating now (because your nose is extra sensitive during pregnancy).

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Delegate the cat litter cleaning. Your feline friend may be hosting dangerous bacteria that can harm your baby (since his super-sensitive immune system isn't strong enough to fend off infection). Kitty himself isn't dangerous, but best to let someone else keep the box clean.

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If you're tempted to paint the nursery a sunny yellow shade, you'll be happier to leave it to painters (or Dad). Although it's not linked to any known health risks, paint may contain traces of lead and solvents, both of which are bad for Baby. Play it safe and avoid.

Copyright &copy 2007 Meredith Corporation.Updated May 2010

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Check out these great tips to keep your house clean and organized during pregnancy.