Using household cleaning sprays regularly has been linked to new asthma in adults. In a European study that followed more than 3,500 adults who did the cleaning at home, people who used sprays at least once a week were more likely to develop asthma symptoms, and the risk rose with how often they sprayed. Cleaners that weren’t sprays showed no link.
This guide explains the main studies, which products were involved, and practical ways to keep a clean home with less risk to your lungs. For more, see our allergy-friendly cleaning guides.
Jump to: Quick answer · The research · Which sprays · Cleaning safer · Choosing products · FAQ
Quick answer
- Weekly spray use was linked to new asthma: about 1.5 times the risk of asthma symptoms or medication use in a 10-country study.
- More spraying, more risk: using sprays at least 4 days a week was linked to about twice the risk of doctor-diagnosed asthma.
- Glass, furniture and air freshener sprays accounted for most of the risk.
- Non-spray cleaners weren’t linked to asthma in that study.
- Safer habits: the CDC advises applying cleaner to a cloth instead of spraying it into the air, ventilating, and having someone without asthma do the cleaning.
What the research shows
| Study | Who | Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Zock et al., 2007, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine | 3,503 adults in 10 countries who cleaned their homes and didn’t have asthma at the start | Spray use at least weekly (42% of people) was linked to asthma symptoms or medication (relative risk 1.49) and wheeze (1.39). Spraying at least 4 days a week was linked to doctor-diagnosed asthma (2.11). Risk rose with frequency and the number of different sprays. Non-spray products showed no link. |
| Svanes et al., 2018, same journal | 6,235 adults followed for about 20 years | Women who cleaned at home or worked as cleaners had faster lung function decline than women who didn’t clean. Both sprays and other cleaning agents were linked to faster decline. No significant link was found in men. |
These are observational studies, so they show associations rather than proof that sprays cause asthma. But the pattern of higher risk with more frequent spraying, and no link for non-spray products, suggests that breathing in spray droplets matters.
Which sprays were linked to asthma?
In the 2007 study, the risk was found mainly with three common types:
- Glass cleaning sprays
- Furniture sprays
- Air freshener sprays
Fragrances in air fresheners and cleaners can also bother people who already have asthma or allergies. See can fragrances cause allergies?
How to clean with less risk
The CDC gives these tips for cleaning and disinfecting around people with asthma:
- Have someone who doesn’t have asthma do the cleaning, and keep people with asthma out of the room while products are in use.
- Apply the cleaner to a cloth or paper towel instead of spraying it into the air.
- Ventilate: open windows or doors and use a fan that blows air outdoors.
- Choose products less likely to trigger asthma and avoid disinfectants that cause symptoms.
- Follow the label instructions.
A few more practical swaps:
- Buy cleaners as liquids, wipes or concentrates you can pour onto a cloth, or use a trigger bottle set to stream rather than mist.
- Skip air freshener sprays. Open windows, take out trash and clean up the source of odors instead.
- For dust, use a damp microfiber cloth and a vacuum with a HEPA filter; see choosing a vacuum for allergies.
- Never mix cleaning products, which can release harmful gases.
Choosing cleaning products
The EPA’s Safer Choice label marks products whose every ingredient meets EPA safety criteria for human health and the environment, and that still clean as well as conventional products. There’s also a fragrance-free version of the label. You can search for certified products on the EPA’s website.
For more on what to avoid at home, see household chemicals to avoid and triclosan and antibacterial soaps.
If cleaning brings on coughing, wheezing or chest tightness, talk to your doctor. Our asthma FAQ covers the basics.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Read our medical disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
Can cleaning sprays cause asthma?
Studies link them. In a 10-country European study, adults who used cleaning sprays at least weekly were about 1.5 times as likely to develop asthma symptoms or need asthma medicine, and those spraying 4 or more days a week had about twice the risk of doctor-diagnosed asthma.
Which cleaning sprays are worst for asthma?
In that study, glass cleaners, furniture sprays and air freshener sprays accounted for most of the risk.
Are non-spray cleaners safer?
In the 2007 study, cleaning products not used as sprays weren’t linked to asthma. The CDC also advises applying cleaner to a cloth instead of spraying it into the air.
What cleaning products are best for people with asthma?
Choose products less likely to trigger symptoms, such as fragrance-free ones, and apply them with a cloth. The EPA Safer Choice label, including its fragrance-free version, can help you compare products.
Should someone with asthma clean the house?
The CDC suggests having someone without asthma clean and disinfect, and keeping people with asthma out of the room while products are in use.
Sources
- Zock JP, Plana E, Jarvis D, et al. The use of household cleaning sprays and adult asthma: an international longitudinal study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2007;176(8):735-741.
- Svanes Ø, Bertelsen RJ, Lygre SHL, et al. Cleaning at home and at work in relation to lung function decline and airway obstruction. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018;197(9):1157-1163.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What to do when an emergency occurs (asthma). Reviewed August 28, 2026.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Learn about the Safer Choice label. Updated September 1, 2026.
Last reviewed: October 21, 2026.
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