Invisible Risks: The Hidden Dangers Cleaning Professionals Face Daily

Protecting the People Behind the Shine

Pat Bennett, who worked part-time as a housekeeper, used to experience burning in her eyes, nose and throat before she gave up using bleach altogether – substituting it for vinegar.

Dorette Colman, who was part of the cleaning team for her church, would get so sick from the toxic scent of the cleaners that she had to quit using them altogether. And Colman knew the dangers all too well – she lost her grandfather as a result of toxic exposures and her sister as had to have two surgeries for sinusitis.

When we walk into a spotless office, a freshly cleaned restroom, or a sparkling lobby, we often forget the real heroes behind that clean space—professional cleaners.

At Nature Kleen: The Green Cleaning Company, we know these workers face serious hazards daily.

In a study done in France of 600,000 housekeepers, these professionals complained of a range of harmful side effects from dizziness and skin rashes to lung problems and the lost of the sense of smell.

Other scientific publications on the subject about the effects of cleaning products are equally worrying. A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine in 2018 estimates that daily exposure to cleaning products has an equivalent impact on lung health to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. 

Still, despite the apparent dangers, the studies about the impact of commercial cleaners on housekeepers are scant. This is why our mission isn’t just to deliver pristine spaces using environmentally safe products, but also to offer remedies to help protect the individuals who make those clean spaces possible.

In this blog, we shed light on the often-overlooked dangers of the cleaning industry and how we’re working to reduce them. But first we need to highlight the problem.

Although professional cleaners are a large part of the workforce, they remain a relatively understudied occupational group in the USA, according to a study published in Occupational Medicine, which aimed to identify and characterize occupational exposures, symptoms and job tasks among domestic and industrial professional cleaners.

The study’s results, published in 2008, placed domestic cleaners at a higher risk of exposure to chemicals that are respiratory irritants and sensitizers than industrial cleaners.

Ten years later another study by the American Thoracic Society found the risk to be long-term — and not just to cleaning professionals.

“Women cleaning at home or working as occupational cleaners had accelerated decline in lung function,” according to the study published in 2018.

“This study suggests that long-term respiratory health is also impaired 10 to 20 years after cleaning activities,” the study reported. “We found accelerated lung function decline in women after both occupational cleaning and cleaning at home. The effect size was comparable to the effect size related to 10 to 20 pack-years of tobacco smoking.”

The authors of the French study followed 6,000 cleaning professionals for two decades, scrutinizing the products they use.

The products in question are made from chemicals that can be highly damaging. In particular, disinfectants, detergents and descalers emit volatile organic compounds that can cause indoor air pollution, according to the report published last year in Le Monde.

 According to a report by the French High Council for Public Health published in 2021, 91% of products tested in a study of household products emit formaldehyde, a proven carcinogen, per the International Agency for Research on Cancer. "Specific risks from exposure" were also pointed out by the Institut national de recherche et de sécurité (INRS, French National Research and Safety Institute).

A U.S. study backed up the French study findings.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, surfaces in public spaces are cleaned more often, but with dangerous results because of the products used.

"While disinfectant solutions eliminate germs, they don’t leave behind a truly bare surface, according to the American Chemical Society. "They deposit a thin film that doesn’t get wiped up, even after giving the surface a good polish. Researchers found that residues left by commercial cleaning products contain a wider range of compounds that could impact indoor air quality than previously thought."

The Threats Outlined:

1. Toxic Chemical Exposure: The Silent Threat

Conventional cleaning products often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ammonia, bleach, and other hazardous chemicals. When these substances are inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or accidentally ingested, they can cause:

• Respiratory issues like asthma and chronic bronchitis

• Skin irritation or chemical burns

• Eye damage and long-term vision problems

• Hormonal disruptions and even links to certain cancers

Sadly, many workers lack proper training or protective gear, putting them at heightened risk every shift.

Nature Kleen's Suggestion: Only use non-toxic, plant-based products that are safe for both the environment and human health. Train your team to handle all substances with care, even green ones.

2. Repetitive Strain Injuries and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Cleaning is physically demanding. Repetitive motions—scrubbing, mopping, lifting, bending—can lead to:

• Tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome

• Back, neck and shoulder injuries

• Joint pain and long-term disability

These injuries often develop gradually and are underestimated until they become chronic or debilitating.

Nature Kleen's Suggestions: Prioritize using ergonomic tools and equipment, provide stretching routines and train employees on best practices for body mechanics to reduce physical strain.

3. Slips, Trips, and Falls: The #1 Workplace Hazard

Wet floors, uneven surfaces and cluttered work areas make slips and falls a constant risk for cleaning professionals. These accidents can lead to fractures, head trauma, or even permanent disability.

According to one website, when cleaners take care of wet floors, icy sidewalks, and spills, they’re also at risk of falling. Janitors often use ladders to change lightbulbs or clean shelves or fixtures and sometimes fall from heights when completing these tasks.

Nature Kleen's Suggestion: Train your staff to identify and address slip hazards proactively. Your protocols should emphasize communication (like clear signage) and regular floor assessments. Also, provide slip-resistant footwear and proper training for working at heights are ways employers can protect workers from these kinds of injuries.

4. Exposure to Biohazards and Pathogens

From restrooms to medical facilities, cleaning crews often come into contact with harmful pathogens such as:

• MRSA, E. coli, norovirus, and COVID-19

• Bloodborne pathogens from improperly disposed needles or waste

Without proper protective equipment and protocols, these can pose serious health threats.

Nature Kleen's Suggestion: Equip your team with gloves, masks, and when necessary, full PPE. Offer training programs that are regularly updated to include the latest CDC guidelines and OSHA standards.

5. Mental Health and Emotional Stress

Cleaning professionals often work alone, during off-hours, or in low-recognition roles. They may experience:

• Job-related stress and anxiety

• Burnout from long or irregular shifts

• Feelings of being undervalued or invisible

These psychological challenges impact overall health, morale, and performance.

Nature Kleen's Suggestion: Foster a supportive work environment where cleaners are seen, heard and respected. Offer flexible schedules, fair pay, mental health days, and frequent recognition for a job well done.

Our Commitment: Clean Spaces. Safe Workers. Healthy Planet.

At Nature Kleen, we believe in cleaning without compromise. That means not only maintaining high standards for hygiene and environmental impact but also prioritizing the health, safety and dignity of every worker. Cleaning professionals are the backbone of public health—and they deserve to be protected and celebrated.

Want to support ethical, eco-friendly cleaning? Choose a company that puts people and the planet first.

Contact Nature Kleen today to learn more about our green cleaning services and safety-first mission.