7 HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS YOU SHOULD NEVER MIX
There is a common misconception that you’ll get better results if you mix different household cleaning products together. The truth is that mixing them together can be very dangerous because the combination you get can produce unexpected chemical reactions that can be very harmful to your health. The last thing you want is to turn your kitchen into a science lab!
The team at Aware Environmental want to warn you about cleaning products that you should never mix together. Don’t risk your health and the health of your family members!
1. Bleach & Alcohol
The combination of bleach and alcohol produces chloroform and muriatic (hydrochloric) acid. They can cause damage to the nervous system, lungs, kidneys, liver, eyes, and skin. High levels of chloroform can cause dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness, and even death in some cases.
2. Bleach & Ammonia
Mixing bleach and ammonia is very dangerous for your health. It produces toxic gases that can cause severe damage to the respiratory system. High concentrations of ammonia and chloramine (a highly toxic gas) also produce a very dangerous explosive substance.
3. Baking soda & Vinegar
Vinegar is acidic whilst baking soda is a weak base, so when they’re mixed together they react to neutralise each other. This in turn produces mostly water and makes the solution almost useless. But the most dangerous thing is that the combination can cause an explosion if you mix them in a closed container.
4. Bleach & other cleaning products
Chemical household products such as glass cleaners, toilet cleaners, and dishwasher detergents should never be mixed with bleach as the combination produces chlorine gas. Even minimal exposure can cause severe respiratory and ocular problems.
5. Bleach & Vinegar
Adding a weak acid to bleach produces toxic gases that can result in serious chemical eye burns and lung damage.
6. Vinegar & Hydrogen Peroxide
When you put vinegar and hydrogen peroxide together in a container they create peracetic acid. At high concentrations, it can irritate and even damage your skin, eyes, throat, nose, and lungs.
7. Cleaning products of different brands
You never know if the mixture of two different cleaning products will give better results. Remember that each formula is unique and mixing them can result in an uncertain and dangerous chemical reaction.
Always think of your health and safety first! Don’t forget to:
Keep cleaning products in their original containers with their original labels.
Stop using or at least try to use less bleach and ammonia in your home.
If you use bleach or ammonia, make sure to rinse thoroughly with plenty of water.
Never mix bleach with other household cleaning products.
Maintain safety standards, and always follow the instructions as indicated by the manufacturer.
Keep all cleaning products out of the reach of children.
Aware Environmental products do not contain ammonia or bleach.
Credit to Brightside for the original article