A groundbreaking 20-year study has revealed that for women, cleaning with chemical-based products can be as harmful to the lungs as smoking a pack of cigarettes every day for 20 years. Behind the fresh scent and shiny surfaces, these cleaners may be quietly damaging your health — one spray at a time. The research highlights how common cleaning habits, especially those involving chemical sprays, are linked to long-term respiratory decline — reminding us that what we breathe matters just as much as what we clean.
THE HIDDEN COST OF “CLEAN”
The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, followed more than 6,000 adults for two decades. Researchers found that women who cleaned at home or professionally had a significantly faster decline in lung capacity than those who didn’t use chemical cleaners. Their breathing ability, measured through forced expiratory volume (FEV₁), fell at rates similar to those seen in long-term smokers.
The scientists believe this is caused by repeated exposure to airborne irritants found in many household cleaning sprays. These chemicals can inflame and damage the delicate tissue in the lungs, leading to reduced lung function and respiratory illness over time. In contrast, men in the study showed little to no similar effect — possibly because they were less exposed to such products in daily life.
The message is clear: what we think of as “clean” air may actually be filled with invisible pollutants. Every spray, wipe, and mist of harsh cleaner releases chemical particles that stay suspended in the air — and in our lungs — long after we’ve finished cleaning.
NATURE HAS A BETTER WAY
At Wild Organic Ways, we believe that cleaning should never come at the expense of your health. That’s why every product in our range is made with pure, natural ingredients: Camphor Laurel hydrosol, mineral-rich water, and botanical plant extracts.
Our eco cleaning products are designed to work in harmony with your home and your body. They’re chemical free, non-toxic, and refillable, helping to reduce waste and protect the planet while keeping your space truly clean.
Each formula — from our natural antibacterial cleaner to our natural mould remover — is a testament to the power of nature. Instead of harsh chemicals, they rely on the inherent antibacterial and antifungal properties of plants, offering a deep clean without compromise.
BREATHING EASY — FOR YOU AND THE EARTH
The lead researcher behind the study, Dr. Cecile Svanes of the University of Bergen, put it simply:
“We feared that such chemicals, by regularly irritating the mucous membranes, might accelerate the rate of lung function decline that occurs with age — and that is exactly what we observed.”
This is why every refill, every reuse, and every shift toward refillable cleaning products matters. When you choose natural cleaning products, you protect your lungs, your loved ones, and the planet’s delicate ecosystems. You’re helping to build a future where health and sustainability go hand in hand.
A NEW DEFINITION OF CLEAN
Clean should mean clear air, safe surfaces, and a healthy home — not a cocktail of synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals. By switching to eco cleaning products and chemical-free cleaning products that are non-toxic and refillable, you’re taking one of the simplest yet most powerful steps toward a more conscious lifestyle.
Because true cleanliness isn’t just about what you can see — it’s about what you can breathe.
At Wild Organic Ways, we’re here to help you clean with confidence, protect your health, and live in harmony with the natural world through our range of chemical-free cleaning products made from nature’s purest ingredients.
Breathe easy. Clean naturally. Live wild.
Information for this blog has been taken from: Cleaning at Home and at Work in Relation to Lung Function Decline and Airway Obstruction (Svanes Ø., et al., American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2018) — READ THE STUDY HERE.