When cleaning and sanitising the house, you might think you’ll get stronger results if you were to combine household chemicals together. However, this is an extremely dangerous practice that should be avoided at all costs, as each cleaning agent has its unique chemical makeup.
As much as possible, stick to only one cleaning product at a time. And whatever you do, don’t ever mix any of the following products together.
Do not mix these cleaning products
1. Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar
Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar are both effective natural cleaning agents on their own, but when mixed together, they can create peracetic acid. This acid can be corrosive and harmful if it comes into contact with the skin, eyes, nose, throat, or lungs. It is safe to use hydrogen peroxide and vinegar separately on a surface, but it is not recommended to mix the two together in the same container.
2. Different Drain Cleaners
Many drain cleaners contain corrosive ingredients that can react and produce dangerous chemical reactions. For example, mixing a drain cleaner that contains hydrochloric acid with one that contains sodium hydroxide can produce chlorine gas, which, as we mentioned above, can be lethal if inhaled.
Mixing different drain cleaners can also produce other harmful substances, such as heat, fire, and explosion risks. It is best to use one drain cleaner at a time and to follow the instructions on the label carefully.
3. Certain Pesticides and Water
Some pesticides are designed to be mixed with water before use, while others should not be mixed with water at all. For example, mixing an oil-based pesticide with water can cause the pesticide to become less effective or to break down into harmful substances. Mixing a pesticide that contains chlorine with water can also produce toxic chlorine gas.
4. Cleaning Products and Bleach
Mixing cleaning products with bleach can be dangerous because it can create hazardous chemical reactions. This is because cleaning products contain active ingredients that can react with bleach to produce harmful substances, such as hydrochloric acid, which can be corrosive and irritating to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat.
In addition to the health risks, mixing cleaning products with bleach can also damage certain surfaces. For example, bleach can cause some materials, such as natural stone, to become etched or discoloured over time.
Some examples of cleaning products that should not be mixed with bleach include:
- Acid-based cleaners: These cleaners, which include products like toilet bowl cleaners, tile cleaners, and rust removers, contain acid that can react with the bleach to produce chlorine gas, which is a toxic gas that can be harmful if inhaled.
- Ammonia-based cleaners: Products like window cleaners and some types of floor cleaners contain ammonia that can react with the bleach and produce chloramine, another toxic gas.
- Hydrogen peroxide: Mixing bleach with hydrogen peroxide may create peracetic acid, a toxic chemical that is harmful if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.
- Oven cleaners: Oven cleaners contain active ingredients that, when mixed with bleach, may produce chlorine gas.
- Lysol: Lysol is a disinfectant that contains quaternary ammonium compounds, which may also result in chlorine gas if combined with bleach.
It is important to read the labels on cleaning products carefully and to follow the instructions for use. It is generally best to use cleaning products separately and not mix them with bleach or other cleaning products. If you are not sure whether it is safe to mix two cleaning products together, it is best to use them separately to avoid any risks.
5. Different Brands of Cleaning Products
Cleaning products may react with each other badly and produce harmful substances. For example, mixing an acid-based cleaner with a cleaner that contains ammonia can produce chlorine gas, while mixing a cleaner that contains bleach with a cleaner that contains peroxide can produce peracetic acid.
Mixing different brands of cleaning products can also cause the cleaning products to become less effective or to damage certain surfaces. To keep you and your family safe, it is use cleaning products from the same brand and follow the instructions on the label carefully.
Always Read the Label
It is so important to be careful when using household cleaning products and to avoid mixing toxic products together. Mixing certain cleaning products can create hazardous chemical reactions that can be harmful to your health and potentially damage certain surfaces.
It is important to read the labels on cleaning products carefully and to follow the instructions for use to avoid any risks. If you are not sure whether it is safe to mix two cleaning products together, it is best to use them separately to avoid any potential dangers. By taking these precautions, you can ensure that your home is clean and safe for you and your family.
Get some professional help with your cleaning
You can also forego reading any cleaning information and instead leave the cleaning up to the pros. If you’re in Sydney, that’s us. Here at Pristine Home, we offer a range of cleaning services, including regular domestic cleaning, commercial cleaning and end of lease cleaning services. Check out our service range here and get your free cleaning service quote here.
