Ignorance isn’t always bliss. These cleaning product combinations can be deadly.
Baking Soda + Vinegar
We’re calling you out, Pinterest: Although these pantry staples are handy on their own — both baking soda and vinegar can help clean all over the house — you should skip any DIY cleaner recipe that involves this not-so-dynamic duo.
“Baking soda is basic and vinegar is acidic,” says Bock. “When you put them together you get mostly water and sodium acetate. But really, just mostly water.” Plus, vinegar causes baking soda to foam up. If stored in a closed container, the mixture can explode.
Bleach + Vinegar
The combination sounds like it’d be a powerful disinfectant, but the two should never be mixed. “Together, they produce chlorine gas, which even at low levels, can cause coughing, breathing problems, and burning, watery eyes,” says Forte.
Bleach + Ammonia
Bleach and ammonia produce a toxic gas called chloramine. “It causes the same symptoms as bleach and vinegar — along with shortness of breath and chest pain,” says Forte. Many glass and window cleaners contain ammonia, so never mix those with bleach.
Drain Cleaner + Drain Cleaner
“I would never recommend mixing two different drain cleaners or even using one right after the other,” says Forte. “These are powerful formulas, and could even explode if combined.” Use one product according to package directions (typically, only half a bottle is needed per treatment). If it doesn’t work, don’t try another product. Instead, call a plumber, Forte says.
Bleach and Rubbing Alcohol
Bleach and rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol make chloroform—the scary stuff you see the bad guys in movies put on rags to knock people out! Although you might not pass out, cleaning with this combo is not recommended.
Mildew Stain Remover and Bleach
Mildew stain remover contains acid, which, when combined with bleach, produces chlorine gas. Avoid irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs by steering clear of this combo.
Bleach and Toilet Bowl Cleaner
The mixture of an acidic-based toilet bowl cleaner with bleach is bad for your health. It releases toxic fumes that can cause breathing issues and watery eyes.
Vinegar and Castile Soap
It may not be a dangerous combo, but it’s certainly an ineffective one! Combining vinegar and castile soap (fine, hard white or mottled soap made with olive oil and sodium hydroxide) merely creates a chunky, oily mixture, since the acid in vinegar breaks down the castile soap.
Bleach and Lemon Juice
It makes sense that if acidic commercial cleaning products mix poorly with bleach, a simple addition of acidic lemon juice does too. Avoid the harmful result of chlorine gas by choosing one or the other.
Vinegar and Water (on Hard Wood Floors)
It may not be dangerous, but the combination of vinegar and water to clean your hard wood floors could be costly. Vinegar is acidic, and can damage the finish on your floor, resulting in a dull appearance. Furthermore, a solution of vinegar and water to clean is mostly water and while the combination works for other surfaces, it can result in moisture damage to your hard wood floors.
Different Brands of Cleaning Products
With all the potential combinations listed so far, it’s best to avoid using multiple cleaning products at once! You never know if the mixture could cause irritation, or result in a medical issue. They may even neutralize each other! Avoid dangerous chemical reactions and more by keeping things simple with only one of each cleaning product on hand.
source: familyhandyman –
