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Today everybody is in the cleaning mood especially when COVID-19 has become a regular part of our lives. So, we are used for cleaning products in our everyday life but they can be harmful for our health as the protection they provide – and more doesn’t always equal better.
When you want your house to be clean, don’t risk your health and health of your family. You can’t combine some cleaning products because it can be dangerous. You notice that your house is dirty; you can start trying different products until something finally works. We don’t recommend you to do it, because it can be a bad practice. However, the combination of some cleaning products can cause itching or watering eyes and they can damage some body organs such as lungs.
When you need a deep house cleaning, it is a good opportunity to get creative with how you complete it. However, before you take your favorite cleaning product under your sink and start combining it think that it isn’t always works better if you mix one product with another one.
The main problem is when it comes to using cleaning products is mixing them improperly. Even when you use products that are safe on their own, mixing them can be dangerous to your health. In addition, some harmful combinations can be especially dangerous to people with some health conditions, such as COPD, asthma, and lung disease.
We recommend you to read the warning and ingredient labels on cleaning products, so don’t never combine these:
Bleach + Vinegar
Some people think if they combine bleach and vinegar, they will get a powerful disinfectant, but the two should never be mixed. When combined, bleach and vinegar produce chlorine gas that even at low levels, can cause breathing problems, coughing, a burning sensation in your throat, and burning, watery eyes.
Baking Soda + Vinegar
You can always find baking soda and vinegar at your kitchen and they are handy and safe on their own. Use baking soda and vinegar to clean all over the house but don’t combine them. You should know that baking soda is basic and vinegar is acidic, when you mix them, you get mostly water and sodium acetate. Besides, vinegar can cause baking soda to foam up and if you store this combination in a closed container, it can explode.
Bleach + Ammonia
Try to avoid combining bleach with ammonia that you find in many household cleaning products such as window cleaners and floor waxes. Before mixing cleaning products, always examine the ingredients. Bleach and ammonia that are mixed together can produce a toxic gas called chloramine. It can generate acid in your lungs that can be fatal for your health. This combination will cause chest pain and shortness of breath, and it needs immediate medical attention.
Bleach + Rubbing Alcohol
You can’t mix bleach with whatever disinfectant you store in your laundry room because it can be very dangerous. As you know, bleach contains sodium hypochlorite and rubbing alcohol or surgical spirits includes ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. The mixing products produce chloroform. It can be harmful for your nervous system, eyes, lungs, skin, liver, kidneys, and other organs as it can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled. Also, remember that your hand sanitizer can have rubbing alcohol, so don’t use it for washing your hands after disinfecting a bathroom.
Drain Cleaner + Drain Cleaner
If you have a tiny bit of drain cleaner left, and you don’t want that to go to waste, don’t combine that with product from a new bottle. We don’t recommend you to combine two different drain cleaners or even using one right after the other. Because different drain cleaners contain different chemicals for cleaning grime and clogs. Some ingredients can be acidic, while some are alkaline.
Sometimes when one cleaning product doesn’t work, you can be tempted to use a different product to get the drain flowing freely again. The first drain cleaner can be still active in your pipes and when you add a second cleaner it can cause a chemical reaction. It can generate heat and leave you with burns on your skin or even poison you. If you can’t clean your kitchen sink with your drain cleaner, call a plumber to help you solve this problem.
Hydrogen Peroxide + Vinegar
You can use special method for washing fruits or countertops with hydrogen peroxide and vinegar not mixed them and wiping down the surface between sprays. However, don’t combine these two cleaning products in the same container.
When you combine hydrogen peroxide and vinegar, it creates peracetic acid, a highly corrosive liquid. It can be easily absorbed through the skin and is a very toxic compound. It can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
We recommend you to add a cup of vinegar to the washing machine that will deliver softer, cleaner clothes and less static cling.
Certain Pesticides + Water
It is awful when you find bugs and spiders in your home and sometimes you are tempted to use the strongest pesticide to remove them. Examine the label’s warnings about their use in such rooms as kitchens or bathrooms. Some pesticides can produce devastating phosphine gas when mixed with water. Try to use non-toxic, natural pest control methods to remove pests, or reach out a professional.
Also, don’t forget to protect your skin, even if you use green household cleaners. Use rubber gloves to clean or disinfect your house. It will help prevent the products’ absorption through your skin and protect you from the contact with bacteria on household surfaces.
