Cleaning isn’t a fun experience for most people, but people with migraine may find it particularly difficult. The strong smells and gases released by cleaning products are common migraine triggers, leading to more frequent and worse migraine attacks. If this is the case for you, finding migraine-friendly cleaning products and adopting various strategies may help.
Discover the link between cleaning and migraine in this article. You’ll also learn which products and tactics can reduce the chance of cleaning-related migraine attacks.
Why do cleaning products cause migraine attacks?
The two main culprits for migraine attacks while cleaning are typically strong fragrances and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Understanding these triggers can help you determine what’s causing your migraine when you clean.
Strong fragrances
Many people with migraine have osmophobia — a sensitivity or aversion to smell. If you have osmophobia, certain smells may be stronger and more unpleasant, especially during a migraine attack. A strong smell can also cause a migraine attack. Some of the worst smell triggers for migraine are perfumes and chemical odors.
Cleaning products that contain bleach are particularly bad for migraine. They can even cause bleach headaches for people without migraine.
Volatile organic compounds
Fragrance isn’t the only culprit. Many cleaning products also contain VOCs, which are chemicals that certain products release into the air as gases. Many household products emit VOCs, including cleaners, disinfectants and air fresheners. VOCs are known to cause headaches and other adverse health effects like nausea and even cancer.
Scientists are still investigating the link between VOCs and migraine, but research shows that chemical air pollutants can enter the bloodstream through the lungs. Once inside the body, these chemicals cause an inflammatory response that may trigger a migraine attack.
Try CEFALY to Prevent Migraine Pain
How to clean your house migraine-free
During your next cleanup, try the following tips:
1. Use migraine-friendly cleaning products
Eco-friendly, plant-based or fragrance-free cleaning products are usually a good choice. However, every migraineur’s sensitivities are different. The products that work for one person may not be tolerable for someone else. You may need to smell products before you buy them to see how you react.
Here are some brands that people with migraine frequently recommend:
- Seventh Generation
- Method
- Ecover
- Bon Ami
- Bar Keepers Friend
- Dr. Bronner’s
- Bona
- Force of Nature
2. Avoid products with VOCs
If cleaning products trigger your migraine, avoid purchasing products with strong fragrances and VOCs. Some common VOCs to look out for on household cleaner labels include formaldehyde, acetone, dichlorobenzene, ethanol and terpenes.
Manufacturers primarily use VOCs to enhance their products’ effectiveness, but VOCs can affect fragrance. To avoid exposure to these chemicals, look for cleaning products with “fragrance-free” labels. These products do not contain fragrance materials. While “unscented” products have no noticeable scent, they may contain chemicals or VOCs that neutralize or mask odors.
Here are some brands to avoid if you have migraine:
- Wet Ones
- Mrs. Meyer’s
- Lysol
- Raid
- Clorox
- Glade
3. Try homemade cleaning products
You can also make DIY cleaning products at home with the following ingredients:
- Vinegar: White vinegar and distilled water is a classic combination that can clean and remove stains. However, vinegar can damage some surfaces, such as stone countertops, grout or stainless steel.
- Hydrogen peroxide: Medical-grade hydrogen peroxide is an effective disinfectant when left to stand on surfaces. Just be careful, as it can bleach fabrics.
- Jojoba oil: Instead of a strong-smelling polish, use jojoba oil. It has no fragrance and polishes wood and leather well.
- Baking soda: Combine baking soda withwater to make a paste that’s great for scrubbing. You can also use it to deodorize upholstery and drains.
4. Ensure sufficient ventilation
When it’s time to clean, do what you can to reduce your exposure to strong cleaning products. Open all the windows and doors to increase ventilation and airflow. You can also practice speed-cleaning your house. Put all your supplies in a caddy and move swiftly from room to room.
5. Reduce the need for cleaning
If cleaning with natural, gentle or fragrance-free products still triggers your migraine, it may be time to evaluate your environment. Can you alter anything about your home so that it requires less cleaning?
For instance, you can:
- Reduce dust by using an air purifier and replacing air filters often.
- Declutter surfaces to make them easier to clean.
- Keep the floors cleaner by instituting a no-shoes rule in the house.
- Place a reusable liner in the bottom of your oven so you don’t have to use strong oven cleaners.
Relieve migraine pain with a CEFALY migraine device
If you’re struggling with migraine after cleaning, try CEFALY, an FDA-cleared migraine device with two treatment modes. The ACUTE mode can relieve symptoms at the start of an attack, while daily use of the PREVENT mode can prevent future attacks. The device uses neuromodulation to desensitize the trigeminal nerve over time.
Try CEFALY today with our 90-day money-back guarantee!
