Is my pregnant wife okay to clean walls and paint the babies room if she's wearing a mask?

Question

Can she use bleach? Is baking soda and vinegar better? Anything helpful is appreciated.

Hypocrites, I work full time and asked my wife to let me do it but she insists on doing it herself. If she's going to do it, I want her to be safe. Some of these comments are just hurtful.

Answer 1

Why are you letting her off with her normal duties and putting her on light work just because she is pregnant?

I hope you reduce her allowance accordingly.



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Answer 2

If she wants to, yes. She can definitely do it. Make sure she is in a well-ventilated area and the mask is a good precaution, especially if she is using bleach. She's not a China doll. But if it's not something she feels up to doing, I suggest that you do it for her. Or at least help her.

(Just FYI - paint is totally safe for pregnant women as long as there is a window open. These people who say all cleaning products and paints are to be avoided are being a little overly cautious or are perhaps women who want to make an excuse. The bigger issue is that she might get tired or have difficulty being in certain positions for long periods. She is pregnant. It is not an illness. She will be fine and the baby will be fine. So don't worry too much, ok?)

Answer 3

Dont listen to these rude people! She should be just fine wearing a mask as long as she takes breaks every 10 minutes and the room is well ventilated. If she starts to feel light headed she should go outside and get fresh air. (I painted when i was pregnant with my twins and that is what the doctor recommended.) If she is in the first trimester I would say wait until the 2nd trimester!! And yes she can clean as long as the things are non-toxic. OOOO...and about the paint..the best kind to use when you are pregnant is the brand BAER..or bear..something like that.

Answer 4

I painted my twins room when I was 4 months along and they were fine. However when I look back on it I dont think that it was very smart. If I were you I would do it for her and not take the risk of her harming or losing the baby it isn't worth it. I wouldn't advise her to use bleach or any other chemicals baking soda and vinegar should be ok to clean with.

Answer 5

I would not recommend that she use bleach to clean with. The laundry is fine but she does not need to breath the fumes! As long as there are no health problems she will be fine. She should use a mask and take several breaks. You should do the upper portion of the walls, b/c a pregnant woman and a ladder are not a good mix! It is better to be safe than sorry! Congrats!

Answer 6

I'm 36 weeks and in my nesting phase and whily my fiance helps out, sometimes I can't wait to start on the work that I begin without him. He'll come home from work and half the wall will be done. So I'm sure you're not a heartless jerk who's slaving your wife during her pregnancy. My doctor told me that latex paint is harmless when I'm in a well ventilated room, but I was extra cautious and wore a mask anyways. It is always best to clean with something void of chemicals first, but if that doesn't work, I also cleaned my bathroom with a bit of bleach..also kept it well ventilated, but the smell made me feel sick so I wouldn't recommend it. That's my input..now go help your wife out so she doesn't have to do a majority of the work!

Answer 7

When I found out I was pregnant we were in the middle of remodeling a large section of our home which including priming and painting. My Dr told me I was NOT to be painting however there are paints on the market that have no odor and he said if I HAD to do it those were the ones to get but we chose not to paint. I always used bleach in my laundry but not to wash the walls what she inhales the baby inhales remember that.

By the way I offered to paint too my husband works full time he is a business owner and some weeks works 70+ hrs in 5 days but he still made the time to do it.

Answer 8

To all the people who think the husband should do the painting--some women love to paint, especially their baby's room! I always wore a mask and made sure the room was well-ventilated. Then I would go somewhere after I painted, just to get away from the fumes for a while. I would stay away from bleach though.

Answer 9

yes its safe as long as she is wearing a mask. i painted my sons room when i was pregnant. i wore a mask. i would say yes to using bleach too just wear the mask for that too. i think that it would be a fun project for her especially if she wants to do it. i think it will make her happy that she did it. that way then it gets done the way she wants it especially since shes pregnant and probably picky and crabby.so let her do it so you dont get blammed for something being messed up. but i think she will enjoy doing it. and maybe when you get home from work you both can do it together.

Answer 10

I'm 31 weeks pregnant and I just painted and cleaned the ceiling in my bedroom. I opened all the windows and had a fan blowing on me on high. I couldn't even smell the paint. And then my boyfriend helped me roll paint the walls. And I did the trim while he painted. He didn't want me to paint, but I'm the type of woman who always has to be involved and I couldn't just sit back and watch. So, I think that if you help her at least and make sure it's VERY ventilated, she won't need a mask and will be fine!

Answer 11

With a mask, gloves, plenty of ventilation & breaks, there's no reason she can't. Of course you could always do it & then no worries right? =)

Oh yeah, they also make low VOC paints [ask about them at your home depot/lowes or where ever you shop] that don't have near as many fumes as regular paints. I would still take the same precautions but its much better for the environment, your health & your piece of mind.

Hope that helps.

***[[You're right about not being able to changer your wifes mind if she wants to do it. We had to clean our apartment when we moved out & my husband was working FT but still wanted to do it all for me. I wasn't having it though. Also my husband & I redid his grandmothers bathroom & he REALLY didn't want me to do that but NOTHING was changing my mind on that. So we just made sure to take the proper precautions & baby & I were just fine. There are some scare-mongers out there that will probably tell you she shouldn't touch dishsoap or a duster but really she will be fine. Your Dr. can confirm this for you & kudos to you for getting educated & making sure you wife will be ok. Its hard enough to change the mind of a woman, let alone a pregnant one!]]***