4 Household Products You Should NEVER Mix (And Some You Should)
When you’re cleaning your home, there are literally dozens – maybe more – products that you can use.
But some of them, when they’re mixed, create toxic combinations that could cause you, your kids and your pets serious harm.
These are four household products you should never mix (and why).
4 Household Products You Should Never Mix
#1: Ammonia and bleach
When you mix ammonia and bleach, you can create chloramine vapors. These vapors can cause respiratory damage, burn your throat, and even become an explosive liquid.
#2: Bleach and vinegar
Bleach and vinegar together make chlorine gas. In fact, any weak acid in bleach will help release toxic chlorine and chloramine vapors.
#3: Alcohol and bleach
Rubbing alcohol plus bleach makes chloroform, hydrocholoric acid and some other compounds. These can damage your nervous system, lungs, eyes, skin, kidneys and lungs – and high levels of exposure can even cause death.
#4: Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar
Mixing hydrogen peroxide and vinegar makes parecetic acid. You can use them separately, but never mix them in the same container – the result can be a corrosive acid.
Homemade Cleaning Solutions That Are Safe (When Used Properly)
Instead of using these potentially deadly combinations, you can make completely safe cleaning solutions of your own (or use a brand you trust). Here’s how to make brass cleaner, all-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner.
Brass Cleaner
What you need:
- White vinegar or lemon juice
- Table salt
Dampen a sponge with vinegar or lemon juice. Sprinkle the sponge with salt. Rub the sponge lightly over a brass surface, then rinse it thoroughly with clean water. Dry immediately with a soft cloth.
All-Purpose Cleaner
What you need:
- 4 tablespoons baking soda
- 1 quart warm water
Mix the baking soda into warm water and use it as a cleaning solution. For the most part, you can pour it on a sponge (or dip a sponge in the mix) and wipe things down. Bonus: Baking soda is a natural deodorizer.
Glass Cleaner
What you need:
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup white vinegar or cider vinegar
- ¼ cup rubbing alcohol
- A few drops of orange essential oil (optional)
Combine these ingredients into a spray bottle and mix well. (The orange essential oil is only for smell – it’s not necessary.) Spray the solution on a paper towel and then use it to clean windows, mirrors and other glass.
Do You Need Help With Household Cleaning?
We can help you with routine chores and seriously in-depth cleaning jobs. Call us at 910-725-3226 (Southern Pines, NC), 706-256-8771 (Columbus, GA) or 843-491-5526 (Myrtle Beach, SC). We serve all the communities around each of these major cities, as well, and we’d love to give you a free house-cleaning estimate so you can focus on more important things.
Mack Maids’ cleaning services include:
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