Common Household Cleaners You Should Never Mix

Household cleaners are powerful substances that should be used very carefully. Even though it might seem like a good idea to mix two cleaning agents to make a better one, the risks are far too great. Here are several common cleaning products you should never combine:

1. Bleach and Ammonia

Mixing bleach and ammonia produces chloramine, a toxic gas that causes respiratory damage and burns the eyes. Be aware that ammonia is frequently included in certain cleaning products, so make sure to never mix those with bleach. The mixture becomes more poisonous if a larger amount of ammonia is used.

2. Bleach and Vinegar

The substance produced by mixing bleach and vinegar is called chlorine gas. Inhaling only a small amount of chlorine gas causes breathing problems and irritates the eyes, throat and nose. The problems enhance at higher levels of exposure and can result in severe chest pain, vomiting or pneumonia.

3. Bleach and Rubbing Alcohol

When mixing these products, the resulting substance is one you might have heard of – chloroform. This substance causes dizziness and nausea, and is known to be used by criminals to knock out victims. Exposure to high levels of chloroform can even be deadly. Although inhaling small amounts of chloroform vapor probably won’t make you pass out, it can cause damage to your skin, lungs, eyes and nervous system.

4. Same Type of Cleaning Products of Different Brands

In general, different companies that manufacture a cleaning product, such as drain cleaner, don’t include the same ingredients in their product. Thus, it’s very risky to mix different cleaners which serve the same purpose. It’s also worth mentioning that, if a product doesn’t work, you should not use another one of the same type. In the case of drain cleaning, a plumber should help you solve the problem.

5. Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar

Although you can use hydrogen peroxide and vinegar one at a time to efficiently clean a surface, combining them is not a good idea. When mixed together, these 2 products will produce parecetic acid, a corrosive substance that can damage your lungs, skin and eyes.

Vinegar is also a substance which should be used carefully as a cleaning agent. Click here to learn how NOT to use vinegar when cleaning. If you’re looking for the best homemade green cleaning solutions, check out this article. For professional fire, water, and mold restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office.