Image: Sebastian Duda - Adobestock
Mixing and matching cleaning supplies may seem like a good idea, but there are some cleaning products that should never be combined.
• Bleach and Vinegar. Useful for lots of household cleaning chores including scrubbing the toilet and polishing the sink, bleach and vinegar should be kept separate. Mixing these two chemicals creates a chlorine gas that is a potent respiratory tract irritant.
• Ammonia and Bleach. These are two more common household cleaning products that are potent chemicals. If combined, the chemical mixture creates chloramine gas, which is even more dangerous than chlorine. Inhaling even a small amount of chloramine gas could trigger breathing problems, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
• Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide. Although these are two common, effective cleaning products, when combined they create an acid that irritates the skin, eyes, and lungs.
• Drain Cleaners. These are corrosive, powerful chemicals that clear out clogged pipes. If one drain cleaner isn't effectively unclogging, don't try adding another. Mixing two different brands of drain cleaners could trigger dangerous fumes or even an explosion.
Whether you are deep-cleaning your home or just removing a few stains, knowing which cleaning products you can safely mix—and which ones you can't—will make cleaning day safer and healthier. It's important to note that a sparkling-clean home does not equal a properly disinfected one. The CDC recommends using a diluted bleach solution (five teaspoons bleach per quart of water) or a product that is at least 70% alcohol as a disinfectant to kill COVID-19. Always do a small patch test to make sure a cleaning product won't damage countertops or other surfaces.
