Think about this article as a cleaning product intervention. Our goal is to help you preserve your health and prevent you from committing one of those five cleaning product sins by mixing the wrong cleaning chemicals. We’re glad to hear that you’re interested in cleaning your home and making your own cleaning solutions. However, you need to know that there are some cleaning products that you should never mix together, as they can be dangerous to you and your family’s health.
Bleach and vinegar
Can you mix bleach and vinegar?
Mixing bleach and vinegar creates chlorine gas, which can cause serious damage to your skin, your eyes, and when inhaled – your throat and your lungs. And by “damage” we mean third-degree burns. Messing around with chlorine and mixing it together with anything is not recommended.
Mixing diluted hydrochloric acid and chlorine together creates mustard gas.
What to do instead?
When you buy a bottle of bleach, one thing you need to know is that it has a shelf life. Its effectiveness will start to decrease after six months. Instead of trying to make it stronger by adding vinegar, it is better to go to the store and buy a new bottle. After all, what is one extra trip to the store compared to inhaling poisonous fumes?
Bleach and ammonia
Chlorine gas or maybe not?
Many people think that mixing bleach and ammonia will make chlorine; however, this is absolutely false. Mixing them together does not create yellow chlorine formation. What it does produce is nitrogen gas, which is even more dangerous. They also produce many toxic products such as traces of hydrazine, chloramine, dichloramine, and nitrogen dichloride. Even though you’re not creating chlorine gas, mixing bleach and ammonia can produce many unhealthy byproducts.
What to do instead?
Here you have two options. The first one is to buy other cleaning products, which are non-toxic, such as laundry detergents or bathroom and floor cleaners. Your second option is to use white distilled vinegar or baking soda. Vinegar will kill mold and mildew and baking soda can be a very good solution, especially when mixed with a mild soap. Although these suggestions might not be as effective, they are much safer and eco-friendly.
Remember
Don’t try to play home chemist. Actually, don’t mix cleaning products together. Period!
Instead, you can use some help from professional advice on home cleaning solutions that are already been pre-mixed for you and read our blog for more ideas. Entrust your home chores to an experienced professional cleaner like us who can provide the desired results without unnecessary risk.
Caption: What you don’t know can be dangerous. So it’s better to understand what you are up to. It is not wise to mix any home cleaning chemical until you are well aware of the outcomes.
For professional cleaning, experience check out Steamates Halifax cleaning service