Buzz
In cooking, mixing flavors and functions is a fundamental skill: add lemon juice for acidity, parmesan for umami—simple, right? But when it comes to cleaning products, mixing them is more than just a blend of elements. Some combinations can be harmful to your health. Be cautious and avoid combining the following:
Bleach and ammonia
When bleach and ammonia are mixed, a chemical reaction releases chloramine gas, which can irritate the eyes and nose. It can also lead to respiratory issues, including wheezing and, in severe cases, pneumonia.
Ammonia is commonly found in glass and window cleaners, as well as in various other cleaning products—always check the label. Urine contains ammonia as well, so if you're cleaning up after a child or pet, ensure you completely remove all urine before applying any other cleaning products.
Bleach and vinegar
When bleach is mixed with acids like vinegar, a highly toxic chemical—chlorine gas—can be produced. (You may have encountered this in the news or history books; it's a well-known chemical warfare agent.)
Similar to chloramine gas, chlorine gas can irritate the eyes and mucous membranes, including the nose and throat, and cause lung damage if inhaled in high quantities or over extended periods of time.
Rubbing alcohol and bleach
Combining these two creates chloroform, a gas once used as an anesthetic. It can also cause eye and mucous membrane irritation, as well as impact the nervous system and heart. In high doses, it can be lethal.
Acetone, present in some nail polish removers, can also produce chloroform when mixed with bleach.
Just don’t mix your cleaning products, alright?
The three mixtures above are the most toxic combinations you might accidentally create, but there are plenty of others that should be avoided. For instance, combining hydrogen peroxide and vinegar produces a corrosive solution that can harm the surfaces you’re cleaning or irritate your skin.
Baking soda and vinegar can both work as effective cleaners individually (baking soda being abrasive, vinegar being acidic), but when combined, they neutralize each other. Sure, the foaming is entertaining, but it's merely the result of the two products canceling each other out.
In conclusion, make sure to follow the instructions on your cleaning products' labels and avoid mixing them together.
