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Are Your Cleaning Products Damaging Your Lungs Like Cigarettes?
We all want a clean home, but what if the products we use to achieve that shine are quietly harming our respiratory health? A landmark scientific study has revealed a startling truth about conventional household cleaning sprays: regular use can damage lung function as much as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.
In this article, we explore the science behind these findings and explain why rethinking your cleaning routine is one of the most important choices you can make for your health.
The 20 Year Study: Cleaning vs. Smoking
In 2018, researchers at the University of Bergen in Norway published the results of a massive two decade study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine [1]. The researchers tracked over 6,000 participants to understand how exposure to domestic and occupational cleaning products affects respiratory health over time.
The findings were alarming, particularly for women. The study concluded that women who regularly used cleaning sprays, whether at home or as professional cleaners, experienced an accelerated decline in lung function.
To put the severity of this decline into perspective, the researchers compared the damage to a well known health hazard. They found that the loss of lung capacity in these women was equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes a day over the same 20 year period [2].
Why Does This Happen?
The experts attribute this decline to the harsh chemicals found in many commercial cleaning agents. These substances are often volatile organic compounds and strong irritants. When you spray a conventional cleaner, tiny chemical droplets become suspended in the air.
As you breathe, these droplets enter your airways. Over time, the researchers theorize that these irritating agents cause inflammation in the sensitive mucous membranes lining the lungs, leading to structural and tissue damage [3]. Day after day, year after year, this repeated micro trauma accelerates the natural decline in lung function that occurs with age.
The Problem with Traditional Sprays
The method of application plays a huge role in this risk. Spray bottles aerosolize chemicals, making them incredibly easy to inhale. The Environmental Working Group, a non profit organization dedicated to protecting human health, specifically advises consumers to avoid spray cleaners for this exact reason [4].
Furthermore, many conventional cleaners contain complex cocktails of synthetic fragrances, ammonia, bleach, and harsh surfactants. These ingredients are designed to aggressively cut through grease, but they do not discriminate when they come into contact with delicate human lung tissue.
A Safer Approach to Surface Cleaning
The scientists behind the University of Bergen study advised avoiding these harsh chemical products altogether. But keeping your home clean does not have to come at the expense of your lung capacity.
This is exactly why we created n.a.k.e.d pills. We believe that a clean home should also be a safe home.
How n.a.k.e.d pills Are Different
When we formulated our all purpose cleaning pills, we started by stripping away the unnecessary and harmful chemicals. Our formula relies on a short, transparent list of plant based and mineral ingredients:
• Sodium Coco Sulphate: A gentle, plant derived surfactant that lifts dirt without creating toxic fumes.
• Citric Acid: A natural acid found in citrus fruits that helps break down grime.
• Sodium Carbonate: Also known as washing soda, a mineral that boosts cleaning power.
• Magnesium Sulphate: Epsom salt, used to stabilize the formula.
No Harsh Aerosols, No Toxic Fumes
Because you dissolve one n.a.k.e.d pill into 500ml of water, the resulting solution has a highly diluted, safe concentration of active ingredients (just 0.64% by weight). There is no ammonia, no bleach, and no aggressive volatile organic compounds to inhale.
While you still use a spray bottle to apply the dissolved solution, you are spraying a gentle, water based mixture rather than aerosolizing a cocktail of industrial grade chemicals. This significantly reduces the risk of respiratory irritation, making it a much safer choice for you, your family, and your pets.
The Bottom Line
The science is clear: the air quality inside our homes is deeply impacted by the products we choose to spray on our counters and floors. You do not need industrial strength, lung damaging chemicals to wipe away daily messes. By switching to a simplified, plant based formula, you can protect your respiratory health while still maintaining a beautifully clean home.
References
[1] Øistein Svanes et al. Cleaning at Home and at Work in Relation to Lung Function Decline and Airway Obstruction. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/rccm.201706-1311OC
[2] Impact of Cleaning Products on Women’s Lungs as Damaging as 20 a Day Cigarette Habit: Study. Newsweek. Retrieved from https://www.newsweek.com/impact-cleaning-products-lung-health-bad-20-day-cigarette-habit-study-810277
[3] Mayo Clinic Q and A: Cleaning products and lung health. Mayo Clinic News Network. Retrieved from https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-cleaning-products-and-lung-health/
[4] Cleaning Products May Harm Female Workers’ Lungs as Much as Smoking a Pack a Day. Environmental Working Group. Retrieved from https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/cleaning-products-may-harm-female-workers-lungs-much-smoking-pack-day
When our pills arrive, they are in a highly concentrated form. The EU CLP hazard statements on the packaging are real, and they apply, please read them. In their dry, undiluted state, the pills are a concentrated cleaning agent and should be handled accordingly.
But context matters. You don’t clean your home with a dry pill. You dissolve one 3.2g pill in 500ml of water. Once dissolved, the concentration of active ingredients drops significantly. The result is a diluted surface cleaner, not something designed for skin contact, but one where accidental contact during normal cleaning use is a very different situation to handling the pill directly.
Dilution Ratio
One pill. 500ml of water
Ratio: 1 : 156 (pill : water)
Concentration: 0.64% w/w (weight / weight)
Per litre: 6.4 g/L of cleaning agent
Pill weight: 3.2g in 500ml water
Less than 1% of what’s in your bottle is the pill itself. The rest is water.
The Concentrated Pill vs. the Diluted Solution
One 3.2g pill dissolved in 500ml of water. Here is what that actually means for the key ingredients.
Coco Sulphate (SCS)
Our plant-based surfactant, the ingredient that lifts grease and dirt. In the diluted 500ml solution, SCS sits at approximately 0.118%.
For reference, toothpaste typically contains 0.5% to 2.0% surfactant, and leave-on skin lotions are generally formulated up to 1.0%. The diluted spray is well below those levels. That said, it is still a cleaning product, not a skin product and prolonged or repeated skin contact is not what it is designed for.
Product | Typical Surfactant % | Our Diluted Solution
Toothpaste | 0.5% – 2.0% | 0.118%
Liquid Soap / Body Wash | 5.0% – 15.0% | 0.118%
Leave-on Lotion (safety limit) | up to 1.0% | 0.118%
Citric Acid
Citric acid handles limescale and helps balance the formula. In the diluted solution, the concentration is roughly 0.17%, significantly less acidic than lemon juice (~5%) or orange juice (~1%). It is still an acid, and it will irritate eyes and broken skin. Handle the dry pill with care.
Sodium Carbonate
Washing soda, it makes the water more alkaline to break down grime. In the 500ml solution it sits at approximately 0.13%, well below the 10% threshold generally considered safe for incidental skin contact. In concentrated form, it is an irritant and should not be handled carelessly.
Magnesium Sulphate
The same mineral family as Epsom salts. At 0.028% in the diluted solution, it is present in trace amounts and is not a concern at this concentration.
A Note for Households with Children
Our pills come in two versions: with a smiley face and without. We love the smiley faces, but we also know that anything with a face on it can look a little more appealing to small hands and curious mouths.
If you have young children at home, we’d recommend going for the plain pills (no smiley face) just to remove any visual cue that might make them seem more interesting than they should be. Either way, all pills should be stored out of reach of children, in a dry place and away from food. They are not edible, regardless of how they look.
Handling the Pills
The dry pills are concentrated. Treat them that way.
Keep your hands dry when handling. Wet hands will begin dissolving the pill immediately, leaving concentrated cleaning agents on your skin.
Wash your hands after handling before touching your face or eyes.
Keep away from children and pets. They look interesting and smell good. They are not food.
Do not ingest. The pills are not for consumption in any form — diluted or otherwise.
If a pill comes into contact with eyes, rinse immediately and thoroughly with water for several minutes.
EU CLP Hazard Statements
The following hazard statements are required by EU CLP regulations and apply to the dry, undiluted pill.
H315 Causes skin irritation. (Wash skin thoroughly after contact with the dry pill.)
H319 Causes serious eye irritation. (Rinse immediately and thoroughly with water if contact occurs.)
H335 May cause respiratory irritation. (Avoid creating dust from the dry pill.)
H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction. (Particularly relevant for those with sensitivities to natural essential oils.)
Precautionary Statements:
P101 If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand.
P102 Keep out of reach of children.
P264 Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P337+P313 If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention.
P501 Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local/regional/national/international regulations.
Product use: All-purpose cleaner.
Instructions: Dissolve 1 tablet (3.2g) in 500ml of water. Allow to dissolve for 30 minutes. Attach the spray nozzle, you’re ready to start cleaning. Store in a dry place. Fragrance may fade over time.
UFI: C300-Y067-Y002-GKRU
Questions about ingredients or safety? Get in touch — hello@nakedpills.com
Questions and answers
FAQ – Cleaning Tablets
Got questions? We’ve got answers. Here’s everything you need to know about how our little cleaning pills work, what’s in them, and how to get the most out of them.
What is it?
A concentrated tablet you drop into water to make an all‑purpose cleaning spray. You reuse your own bottle, and we don’t ship water across the country. Less shipping emissions. Less plastic. Same cleaning power.
How big is one tablet?
About 18mm x 8mm, and weighs 3.2g. Small enough to fit through the neck of almost any standard spray bottle.
How much cleaner does one tablet make?
1 tablet = 500ml (standard strength). You can stretch it to 750ml if you want it a bit more diluted for lighter daily wiping.
What can I clean with it?
Most hard surfaces: kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, tiles, sealed wood, stainless steel, glass, etc. If it’s a delicate or unsealed surface (like untreated wood or natural stone), test a small hidden spot first.
Are your products disinfecting or antibacterial?
No, and that’s on purpose. We don’t use biocides or harsh antibacterial chemicals. Our cleaner is designed to lift grease, dirt, and grime so it can be wiped away effectively, leaving your surfaces clean without contributing to antibiotic resistance or leaving harsh chemical residues behind.
MIXING & USING
Warm or cold water?
Both work. Warm water dissolves the pill faster. Cold water is absolutely fine too — just give it a little more time.
How long does it take to dissolve?
Usually 15–30 minutes, depending on water temperature and how much you shake it.
How do I make my cleaner?
1. Drop 1 tablet into your bottle.
2. Fill with 500ml of water.
3. Screw the sprayer on, give it a
gentle shake, and leave it until fully dissolved.
4. Spray and wipe as normal.
Does it expire?
Keep the dry tablets in their packaging in a cool, dry place, and they are shelf-stable for up to 2 years. Once mixed with water, we recommend using the solution within 6 months for the best cleaning performance and fragrance. If a bottle has been sitting around for ages, rinse it out and drop in a fresh pill.
My sprayer is clogging or acting weird — help?
Rinse the sprayer mechanism through with warm water. Sprayers get gunky over time (this happens with every brand and every bottle). A quick flush with warm water usually fixes it right up
Will the smell hang around?
A bit, yes — especially if you use it often in the same space. It’s not meant to perfume your entire home, but you might notice a light, fresh scent (bergamot, lemon, and lemongrass) over time.
SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT
Are the cleaning pills safe around pets and children?
The diluted cleaning spray is very gentle and safe for incidental contact on surfaces around your home. However, the dry pills are highly concentrated and should be kept well out of reach of children and pets.
Note: We offer our pills with a smiley face design, and without. If you have young children, we recommend buying the plain pills (no smiley face) so they look less like sweets. They are absolutely not edible.
Are your products vegan and cruelty-free?
Yes. We only use plant-based and mineral ingredients. We do not test on animals, and there are no animal-derived ingredients in our pills.
Why are the pills better for the planet?
Traditional cleaning sprays are about 95% water. By shipping just the active ingredients in a tiny 3.2g pill, we drastically reduce the weight and volume of our shipments, which lowers our carbon footprint. You also reuse your own bottle, cutting out single-use plastic waste entirely.
Can I use any spray bottle I already have at home?
Absolutely! That’s the whole point. Just make sure you rinse it out thoroughly before dropping in a n.a.k.e.d pill so you don’t mix different chemicals together.
Still have a question we haven’t answered? Send us an email at hello@nakedpills.com and we’ll sort you out.