cleaning "New House" while TTC or pregnant -- please help??

[Babywhite]

Hopefully, we will be closing on our new house the Monday after Thanksgiving. I am so excited, but I have a couple of concerns.
We are going to be doing some cleaning, painting and carpet cleaning before we move in --- it has had previuos owners.

Due to where I will be in my cycle, I will not know if I'm pregnant while doing these things.

I need some advice.

** Painting - I really need to help but...

Also, how long should we wait after painting b/f we (especially me and my 3 yr old DD) goes back/moves into the house??

** Cleaning - I have been using "healthier" cleaning products for some time; however, since I'm cleaning after previous owners -- I want to make sure I'm using something strong enough in the bathrooms and kitchen to kill germs....

** Carpet cleaning -- we are going to price hardwoods, but it will probably be spring before we could do those -- so...

How/what should I use to clean the carpets? I want them to be clean for me (especially if I'm pregnant) and for DD to "be all over"...

TIA for your help...

RW

[katydid1971]

My first bit of advice is to hire a cleaning service to come in a clean the whole place carpets, bathroom walls, etc, it will cost $500+ but it will be so nice to "come home" to a clean house. Second if you use low voc paint it really shouldn't be a problem. You can use a mask to paint with (they sell them at the paint store) but if you stay away from oils the smell isn't too bad. Out gassing paint is a controversal subject, some people think you need months for things to out gas but many think a day or so ususally does the trick. If DH can get someone else to help him paint all the better for you :)
HTH
Sarah

[brittone2]

Congratulations!

I would be cautious about cleaning the carpets w/ traditional services. Just my thoughts. There are still questions about the link between Kawasaki Syndrome and recently cleaned carpets. Nothing conclusive, but that would worry me more than the extremely small chance of you or your DD contracting anything from someone else's carpet.

Obviously there's not much conclusive stuff out about Kawasaki/carpet cleaning, but at the same time, multiple studies through the years have shown a correlation. I'd use plain old vinegar in a steam cleaning machine, personally. That disinfects almost anything (IMO).

This site has some good info:
http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/education/articles-detail.asp?Main_ID=443

http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/education/articles-detail.asp?Main_ID=442

I totally get that "other people's germs" are icky in theory, but other than cleaning bathrooms, etc. well, I think it is unlikely you would get sick from their carpets. I'd stick with something like vinegar and a few drops of essential oil.

[brittone2]

I'm getting an error message when I try to edit my post (outside of editing period?), but here's a link to one study about Kawasaki/carpet cleaning:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2020511&dopt=AbstractPlus

when you look at the list of ingredients in most carpet cleaners, that would worry me more than what's lurking in the carpet, if you are pg/ttc/have a young child. I totally get the skeeviness of thinking about other people's germs, but IMO, it is unlikely to make a big difference from a health standpoint to skip the strong chemicals and use something like vinegar or plain water in a steam cleaner.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Painting- latex paint should be fine in a well ventilated room but choose low VOC paint. Lowe's carries Olympic paint that is low VOC. I bet there are even healthier choices too. We just painted baby's room and I have painted the bathroom while being pg. It really doesn't worry me.

Cleaning with harsher chemicals? If you have to do it yourself then open all the windows but I'd try and pawn that job off on family or maybe hire a cleaner.

I know there is some good carpet cleaning option (vinegar?) that you can put in the carpet cleaning machines. You may be able to find someone in the phone book that says they use "environmentally friendly" products.

Congrats (maybe times 2!)!

Beth

[lovin2shop]

I would highly recommend the Sherwin Williams low VOC paint. I was amazed that I didn't even notice the smell *while* the painters were painting. I'm sure that even though it doesn't smell there is probably still some off gassing occurring, so I still kept all the windows open especially while sleeping at night for several days. That probably depends a lot on the weather right now where you live though. I was also impressed with the finish and coverage of the SW paint, although it is pretty pricey compared to regular paint and other brands.

As for carpets, I believe that Blackmon Mooring uses only steam if you wanted to hire someone. I think that the high temperature should be enough to kill all the lingering germs. I had very good results when using them in the past.

[Tondi G]

I would DEFINETLY pay a service to come and De-germ the house and give it a thorough cleaning before you move in. It is SO worth it to not have to do all that scrubbing on your own!

I know sherwin williams and I think benjamin Moore have low voc paint that should be safe. My ped and OB said just make sure the rooms are well ventilated (windows open/fan running) while you paint and you are good to go!

I agree with the others who suggest maybe renting a carpet cleaning machine from the grocery store and put your own shampoo in it (vinegar and water with some essential oils)!

Good Luck