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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should children be cleaning with chemicals?

42 replies

Smileybear · 27/12/2021 23:50

First post on here for a sound board please.
My step-daughter (8) came home today (50/50 split) and mentioned she had done chores at her mum's to earn extra pocket money..nothing unusual there...but then said one of the chores was cleaning the bathroom, with her step-sister (6). She said they used cleaning products and when I asked, she said they didn't have the window open.
Tidying their rooms, loading the dishwasher, even hoovering sure, but scrubbing a bathroom with chemicals?! I can't help but feel like that isn't safe or healthy for them to be doing at that age...and unrelated but it was only for £1!!
AIBU to think that crosses a line when it comes to chores?

OP posts:
FlibbertyGiblets · 28/12/2021 07:48

@Smileybear are you a member of the Four Tops? #ReachOut

FourTeaFallOut · 28/12/2021 07:49

Lots of bathroom cleaning products contain the kinds of chemicals that are bad for lung health. I wouldn't have the kids use anything with bleach or chlorine, for instance.

But I'd have no qualms about giving them a pound to put a cleaning cloth around the bathroom.

SpiderFluff · 28/12/2021 07:49

I think it depends on the child and the chemical

user15364596354862 · 28/12/2021 07:54

not because the chemicals are harmful for them to touch or breath near

What? Lots of common household cleaning products are harmful to the lungs! That's not a secret. They carry warnings about only using in well-ventilated spaces for a reason.

Some of them if mixed - as a child might unwittingly do - can create poisonous fumes.

As for them being harmless to get on the skin, is that a joke? Limescale cleaners like you'd use in a bathroom can strip paint! I don't want that on my skin let alone a child's.

takenforgrantednana · 28/12/2021 07:59

@Smileybear

I had heard about this website being full of sanctimonious types but wow, you lot really proved the rumours are true. I reached out looking for some advise and a genuine conversation and an opportunity to learn about what other people do. Happy to hear other views and change my mind on things but instead I got you lot. Won't make that mistake again, such a shame.
no you didnt, you asked a question and because you didnt get the back up and confirmation that your thoughts on this where 100% right, you now think that comments such as this are going to help? shame there isnt a block button on here as your comments would have got you first place, instead of just thanking the others for an alternative view on it
takenforgrantednana · 28/12/2021 08:01

oh yeah i hate that phrase - reach out! which actually means to make an effort to do something for other people i.e. The church is reaching out to help the poor.

SpookyScarySkeletons · 28/12/2021 08:10

OP you have actually had some very sensible replies on here but seem to have kicked off because they are disagreeing with you. Not even a handful have criticised or accused you of ex-wife hatred.

FWIW I would be ok with DC of that age using a bit of flash spray round the bathroom. I think it's good for them to start realising the house is not self-cleaning at a young age!

Sirzy · 28/12/2021 08:21

They key things here are missing. You have been so quick to judge you don’t actually know what happened.

You don’t know what products they where using which makes a massive difference and you don’t actually know they weren’t being closely supervised the whole time either.

The safest way for young people to know how to safely use such products is for them to be taught how to

MyGreenTutu · 28/12/2021 08:24

I would be delighted if my 6 year old showed an interest in cleaning the bathroom!

FourTeaFallOut · 28/12/2021 08:28

I love how the sensible replies are the ones which are okay with letting children loose with the kind of chemicals -phthalates, chlorinated bleaches, fragrances, benzene - linked to triggering asthma attacks, headaches, contact dermatitis, and in the long term reduced lung function and cancer. This apparently is good for them and sensible.

There is a reason why there is a warning label on the back of every bottle, and that assumes sensible use by an adult who will take mitigating measures to improve ventilation.

Zander44 · 28/12/2021 08:34

@Smileybear

I had heard about this website being full of sanctimonious types but wow, you lot really proved the rumours are true. I reached out looking for some advise and a genuine conversation and an opportunity to learn about what other people do. Happy to hear other views and change my mind on things but instead I got you lot. Won't make that mistake again, such a shame.
@Smileybear Agree! I posted on here for the first time recently and was taken aback at the negativity. A handful of nice replies but majority were NOT! As for your question, how about her using wipes whilst wearing gloves? I would worry about using bleach and similar products too.
DropYourSword · 28/12/2021 08:57

@FourTeaFallOut

I love how the sensible replies are the ones which are okay with letting children loose with the kind of chemicals -phthalates, chlorinated bleaches, fragrances, benzene - linked to triggering asthma attacks, headaches, contact dermatitis, and in the long term reduced lung function and cancer. This apparently is good for them and sensible.

There is a reason why there is a warning label on the back of every bottle, and that assumes sensible use by an adult who will take mitigating measures to improve ventilation.

Literally no-one has said that.
FourTeaFallOut · 28/12/2021 09:04

What do you think is in flash...rainbows and unicorns?

BitcherOfBlakiven · 28/12/2021 09:08

Pretty much everything is a carcinogen, ffs.

OP you don’t know what cleaning products the ex has in her house.

Stop throwing a shit fit because you’ve been told you’re wrong. You posted on AIBU. You’ve been told YABU. Grow up.

Theunamedcat · 28/12/2021 09:13

"Without ventilation" was the door shut?

Seriously dd used to spray the bath with cif spray and rinse it with the shower it was classed as cleaning but hardly hard work or slavery

PinkSyCo · 28/12/2021 09:29

It depends on the cleaners used I suppose. I don’t think windows would need to be opened for a bit of windowlene or antibacterial type spray but I might worry about the younger one accidentally spraying it into her own or her sister’s eyes. As for only getting paid a pound each I’m guessing the chore was more a way of getting the kids used to doing little jobs to earn their pocket money rather than forcing them to scrub away for hours. If you have real concerns that they are being used as child labour and forced to work in dangerous conditions I do hope you have discussed them with their dad though?

JulieGoods · 28/12/2021 11:05

Now I feel a bad parent that my DC have never cleaned a bathroom......Grin

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