When oil and water are combined, they repel one another, with a layer of oil sitting on top of the water, thus proving that some things don’t mix.
Mixing cleaning products can result in toxic fumes being emitted. There are certain product duos that can pose a serious threat to your health and the environment when mixed.
Even if they aren’t necessarily toxic, you can never be sure what effect mixing products can have on your surfaces or fabric when combined. These are the few products that never mix.
Bleach and ammonia
Although ammonia can help clean your windows, it is best to keep it away from bleach. When combined with bleach, these two products can produce a toxic gas called chloramine. Chloramine can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain within a short space of time. Many of your window or glass cleaner products will contain ammonia, so be careful and never mix with bleach.
Vinegar and bleach
The most common combination in many households, vinegar and bleach get the work done. The combination is powerful in cleaning and can be powerful in harming as well. Although many households use these two products together, the two should never be mixed. Together, they produce chlorine gas, which even at low levels can result in coughing, breathing problems, as well as burning, watery eyes.
Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar
While these products are a bad combination, you can clean countertops with each of them. But you should never mix the two products in the same container. Combining them creates something called peracetic acid. What the per-acetic acid does is potentially irritate the skin when not used with cleaning gloves, and it can affect the respiratory system.
Baking soda and vinegar
This is one of the most popular DIY cleaning methods used in homes. The products are the staples in handy cleaning supplies on their own. Baking soda is a mild abrasive for tough spots, and vinegar can be a great window or glass cleaner. Vinegar is acidic, and baking soda is basic; they cancel each other out chemically, creating mostly water and some salt. This combo is rather innocent yet highly ineffective when mixed.
Before you start playing chemist and potentially harming yourself, research the cleaning products you use in your home. Read the cleaning products and other household products before mixing them.
Compiled by Chumasande Matiwane
First published on Garden and Home
Also read: The truth about expired cleaning products and what to do
