7 Household Cleaning Products Not To Mix (that you should know)
What not to mix with bleach? What not to mix with vinegar?
Are you following or creating a DIY cleaning recipe but are unsure if it is alright to mix different household products and ingredients?
It is wise that you want to be well-informed as it can be dangerous to mix certain household ingredients.
So, with that in mind, what household cleaning products not to mix, ever?
I understand a lot about cleaning but I’m not an expert in chemical reactions so the information below is based on research about this topic. There are some links you can follow in case you want more in-depth information about each product.
7 Household Cleaning Products Not To Mix
There are great combos for our household cleaning needs, but there are certain household cleaning products that should not be mixed.
- Bleach and vinegar
- Bleach and rubbing alcohol
- Bleach and ammonia
- Bleach and lemon
- Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide
- Vinegar and baking soda
- Vinegar and Castile soap
1. Bleach and Vinegar
Vinegar is arguably the best cleaner to unclog your drain, while bleach is great at eliminating smelly germs in your sink.
Mixing them may sound like a killer combination, but the solution can be hazardous to your health.
These two cleaning ingredients produce hypochlorous and hydrochloric acid. If you breathe them, you may develop respiratory problems and watery eyes. This mixture can also cause nausea.
For more information on why is dangerous to mix vinegar with bleach check out this article.
If you love cleaning with vinegar check out these 15 vinegar cleaning hacks.
2. Bleach and Rubbing Alcohol
There are health risks associated with combining bleach and rubbing alcohol and you should never mix them.
Rubbing alcohol is the perfect cleaning solution to get rid of those permanent marker stains. It’s also a germicide, so it’s suitable for hygiene purposes.
But mixing rubbing alcohol with bleach is a totally different game, At first sight, it might look like a great combo for your cleaning routine but you will be doing more harm than good.
After you mix these cleaning ingredients, they produce chloroform, a highly toxic chemical that can damage your lungs and irritate your eyes.
The resulting product can lead to dizziness even when exposed to low levels. Studies have also shown that prolonged exposure to chloroform can lead to cancer and low sperm count in men.
You’ve probably seen the stuff actors use in movies to knock out their victims – that’s chloroform. If you accidentally mix bleach and rubbing alcohol, you should leave the room immediately. Then, wash the container with water and discard it.
To find more information about the dangers and chemical reactions of bleach and rubbing alcohol mixture click here.
If you like cleaning with rubbing alcohol check out this DIY all-purpose cleaner recipe without vinegar.
3. Bleach and Ammonia
Bleach is a popular household cleaner that can create a toxic fume when mixed with ammonia. According to experts, this gas can be lethal when inhaled in large amounts.
If you’re in a poorly ventilated room, the reaction can cause an explosion.
The way ammonia reacts will depend on whether you’re using peroxide or chlorine bleach.
For example, when chlorine bleach is mixed with ammonia, chloramine gas is produced. If you’re exposed to it for a long time, it can kill you.
Some signs of exposure include coughing, nausea, wheezing while breathing, watery eyes, and fluid buildup in the lungs.
If you accidentally mix the two, get out immediately for some fresh air.
Chloramine gas can also affect pets. If you have your furry friends in the room, you may want to take them outside too.
Since most cleaning products contain ammonia, you should avoid mixing bleach with other cleaning agents.
If you want to find out more about the health risks, dangers, and consequences of bleach-ammonia mixture visit this site.
4. Bleach and Lemon
Lemon creates an amazing cleaning sidekick, thanks to the strong scent. Since lemon and bleach are acids, you should never mix them.
They release chlorine, a toxic gas that may trigger sore throat, nasal irritation,
chest tightness, and coughing.
When inhaled in large amounts, this gas can lead to serious respiratory
distress, like fluid accumulation in the lungs.
So if you want to clean with these two cleaning ingredients, you should use them separately. At this point, it’s clear that you should only mix bleach with water.
To find out more about the dangers and risks of combining bleach and lemon for cleaning click here.
Love lemon? Check out this homemade bathroom cleaner spray recipe with lemon.
5. Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide
These products may seem like the perfect cleaning duo, but you’ll end up with a poisonous solution.
Hydrogen peroxide is effective at killing organisms which makes it an effective bathroom cleaner.
When you mix hydrogen and vinegar, they produce peracetic acid. This toxic product can irritate your eyes, lungs, and throat.
In isolated cases, the solution can damage the respiratory tract. Preliminary studies also show that peracetic acid can cause certain types of cancer.
If your skin gets into contact with peracetic acid, you should clean the area immediately with soap and water.
Beyond that, the corrosive effect can damage hardwood floors. The last thing you want is to give your floors a bleached look.
Want to find out more about the risks and dangers of mixing vinegar with hydrogen peroxide? Read this article.
6. Vinegar and Baking Soda
These household staples will leave your house sparkling clean but are not a dynamic duo.
Vinegar is an acidic product, while baking soda is an alkali. If you mix them, a chemical reaction is triggered to produce carbon dioxide.
And because vinegar can make the baking soda foam up, this mixture may explode if you store it in an airtight container.
You must have seen your elementary school teacher mix these two products in a science lesson. Well, don’t think the bubbly reaction means anything to your cleaning surfaces.
And because these ingredients have different chemical properties, they cancel each other out. In addition to that, your solution will consist of water and acetate – that won’t help you clean either.
If ingested, carbon dioxide can cause bloating. It’s also scientifically proven that these two cleaning ingredients may interact with some medications.
Other than that, carbon dioxide can create bubbles in your drainage system leading to blockage.
If you want to know more about safety concerns when combining vinegar and baking soda for cleaning purposes read this article.
Baking soda is a versatile cleaning agent. Read 25 baking soda cleaning hacks to find out how versatile it is.
7. Vinegar and Castile Soap
Vinegar is an ingredient that offers a safer and more natural way to get rid of mold.
While castile soap and vinegar may look like a powerful cleaning solution, you’ll end up with a chunky mixture. The reaction robs the oils in the soap.
Once the soap breaks down, it becomes unsaponified, so it may not be useful in your cleaning routine.
Normally, castile soap is effective in cleaning hardwood floors – this is a no-go zone for vinegar. You don’t want to ruin your beautiful floor or deal with an oily mess.
Why it’s important to refrain from combining vinegar and Castile soap for cleaning? Check out this explanation.
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Household Cleaning Products Not To Mix Last Words
Maintaining a clean and healthy home environment is essential, but it should never come at the expense of our well-being.
By being aware of the potential risks and understanding which ingredients to avoid mixing, we can create a safe and vibrant living space where cleanliness and health coexist harmoniously.
So remember, when it comes to mixing cleaning ingredients, knowledge is power, and a little caution can go a long way toward keeping our homes sparkling clean and our loved ones safe and sound.