
Common Cleaning Products to Never Mix
When faced with a tough stain or large area to clean, it can seem overwhelming to choose the correct product. While it may seem like a good idea to combine different products to obtain the “ultimate” clean, you can potentially create something very dangerous. According to Carolyn Forte, the Director of the Good Housekeep Institute Cleaning Lab, “people often think that if one product works, mixing it with another one will make it even better.”. However, the exact opposite is true. In reality, these products are made up of chemicals that can have volatile or highly reactive molecules.
Bleach
The number one cleaner to not mix is bleach. Bleaches are made up of highly reactive chemicals that are extremely toxic when combined with almost any other chemical/cleaner.
-Ammonia and bleach will create chlorine gas which, even in small quantities, can be toxic and even fatal.
-Vinegar and bleach produces a toxic gas that was used as a chemical weapon in World War I.
-Rubbing alcohol and bleach react to form chloroform and chloroacetone. Chloroform, which can be used to render people unconscious, is suspected to cause cancer and chloroacetone was also used as tear gas in World War I.
When using bleach, be sure not to mix it with anything other than water. This is the most effective way to ensure safety when using this chemical.
Vinegar
Vinegar is an acid and has a low pH that provides a high potential for toxicity. There are a number of chemicals and cleaning products that can cause dangerous reactions when introduced to vinegar.
-Bleach and vinegar produce a toxic chlorine gas.
-Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar will for a chemical called peracetic acid. This acid is toxic and corrosive, breaking down surfaces it is applied to.
-Baking soda and vinegar is the combination responsible for those volcanic eruptions in elementary science projects. While this effect is cool when exploding from a false volcano, it is not as cool when mixed in a container that is then sealed. Though the byproducts of sodium acetate, water, and carbon dioxide are not toxic, as the carbon dioxide byproduct tries to escape, the sealed container can then ‘explode’.
Drain Cleaners
Depending on the brand and type of drain cleaner, the exact ingredients of each drain cleaner will vary and therefore should never be mixed or used at the same time. Most drain cleaners contain a mixture of cleaning components (sodium hydroxide, bleach, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid) that are toxic individually, much less combined. When using drain cleaner, only apply once product at a time, according to the label directions. Never use one product after the other, even if the drain has not cleared.
Stay Safe
Proper precautions should always be taken when using cleaning products. Be sure to ventilate any rooms, protect your skin and mucus membranes, and always read and follow direction labels. If you’re unsure, it’s better to be safe than sorry! And if you have questions, Lawton Brothers is here! Our certified, trained professionals are ready to provide answers and recommendations for all of your cleaning needs. Give us a call today for a free cleaning audit at: 800.432.0813.