When you’re expecting, safety is always at the forefront of your mind, especially concerning different items in the home. One product you may be thinking about is Citristrip.
It is a well-known paint and varnish stripping gel known for its refreshing citrus smell and lack of harsh chemicals typically used in other strippers. But the big question is, “Is it safe to use while you’re pregnant?”
What Is Citristrip, and Is It Safe For Pregnant Women?
Citristrip is a popular product used by many people to strip varnish and paint off floors, furniture and various other surfaces. What distinguishes this from other paint strippers is its citrus scent, which is a lot better than the harsh fumes you’d expect from chemical strippers.
Instead of smelling like strong chemicals, it has a scent that reminds you of oranges!
Citristrip is often seen as a safer alternative because the new formulation do not come with methylene chloride or N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP), two bad chemicals found in many traditional paint strippers that can have serious health risks.
However, while Citristrip may seem like a safer alternative, it’s still important to remember that it contains other chemicals. Exposure to any type of chemical solvent can be risky as it may harm the baby or just complicate your journey.
So, your safest bet is not to overdo it, and also avoid direct contact with skin so as to prevent absorption of potentially toxic substances. Below are precautions to heed to:
Safe measures For Pregnant women while using chemical products like Citristrip?
Here are a few tips to safeguard you and the baby when it comes to using citristrip or any chemical product while pregnant:
- Talk to your doctor: Your doctor should not be excluded from your plans to embark on any project involving chemicals. This step ensures that you receive a personalized advice that caters for your health and the baby.
- Use in well-ventilated Areas: Ensure the room or area where you’ve used it is well-ventilated such that you wouldn’t inhale the fumes a lot, even though citristrip is known for being less harsh in odor than other strippers. Outdoor work is best however should you work inside, open your windows and use fan to circulate enough air.
- Wear protective clothing: Gloves and perhaps a respirator or mask are recommended to prevent direct contact with skin and the inhalation of the vapors of any chemicals.
- Limit exposure time: Consider cutting down on the time you are working on the project in a go and take frequent fresh air breaks or, ideally, let someone else handle the whole process of removing paint.
- Follow the Product Guidelines: Be sure to read and adhere to the safety instructions, warnings and guidelines that came with it, or any other products you use.
- Read the label: Always read the label carefully. Check for any warnings that pertain to pregnancy. If you’re unsure, confirm with your doctor.
Are there safer alternatives to Citristrip for pregnant women?
While we know of citristrip to be safer than most strippers, preggy moms might want to consider even safer options. These safer alternatives are mostly made from natural materials and have zero chemicals.
They are often water-based and have lower Volatile organic compounds levels. They are also safer because they arent a source of strong fumes and won’t cause negative effects on pregnant women. These inlclude:
- Max Strip
- Klean Strip Premium Stripper
- Hi-Speed Ready-Strip Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover
- Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover
- Krud Kutter Latex Paint Remover
- Smart ‘n Easy Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover Gel
- Common oven cleaners
However, it is important to keep in mind that even safer alternatives could still be risky if you don’t use it correctly. Always ensure a good ventilation. Wear appropriate safety gear and avoid direct contact with skin regardless of the product you’re using.
Also, even with these safer options listed, it’s still important to check in with your doctor before use. Doctors can assess your health and advise accordingly.
How effective are natural or homemade paint strippers compared to chemical ones?
Home made strippers are not as effective as chemical ones. You know, chemical stuff is more powerful, and is able to do the job faster. Natural strippers take more time and effort to remove the paint. They’re typically made with greener ingredients that are gentler and healthier, particularly for indoor use.
It is this gentleness that is often the reason they aren’t more aggressive on tough paint. Natural paint strippers are safe to use and healthier. In case working in several layers of old or hard paint, you may find that chemical paint strippers can help you save time and energy.
Always remember that safety is the most important factor. Thus whatever you choose, ensure you follow the manufacturer instructions, and take all proper measures.
Is Citristrip Safe To Use While Pregnant? – Final Say
When it comes to using Citristrip while pregnant, the most important thing is safety—for both the expectant mother and the unborn baby.
Although Citristrip is often marketed as a safer, more environmentally friendly paint stripping option due to its lower chemical content and less harsh smell compared to traditional strippers, caution is still advised.
It’s best to be conservative here; talk to your doctor before using citristrip or any chemical product. Ideally, you can also just give it out to someone to do for you.
But if it’s necessary to do it yourself, then be sure to heed to the above mentioned precautionary measures. Also, look out for natural or other safer options. These are the best for pregnant women as they minimize potential dangers.
