Sometimes when we are faced with a tough cleaning job, we rush to get out from under the sink with whatever cleaning detergents we have. If it is an unusual stain, we tend to be more creative than necessary and start mixing and applying the whole cleaning arsenal we have to the stain.
Unfortunately, chemistry is something not everyone is very well familiar with, and what you do not know can kill you. Yes, you read that right!
Some products, when used alone, are strong enough to clean the dirt, but mixing them with other detergents can cause unsafe chemical reactions. Applying more than one strong cleaning solution on a stain won’t make the process easier or safer. Just the opposite – you may not be able to remove the stain, and moreover, you will probably ruin your belongings.
So, a little warning–always read the labels and never mix these cleaning products:
1. Baking Soda and Vinegar
Although they are the most commonly used eco-friendly products in our homes, it is essential not to mix them together. One of the mistakes when cleaning windows, or the rest of the house for that matter, is when you don’t use them separately because mixing them together greatly diminishes their effectiveness.
This is so because baking soda is basic, and vinegar is acidic. When you apply them together, you get water and sodium acetate. The vinegar makes the soda foam up, and if you decide to store the mixture in a container, it will explode. If you’re into the habit of mixing baking soda and vinegar to clean your entire home, the bad news is that you’re wasting your time.
So, to sum up, if you want to clean your entire home with either of these substances, you totally can–just don’t mix them together.
2. Mixing Different Drain Cleaners
I wouldn’t recommend mixing two different types of drain cleaners as they are power formulas and could explode if combined. Always use the drain cleaners according to the manufacturer’s directions, and when it doesn’t work, look for a local licensed plumber.
Disregarding this can cause severe plumbing problems and/or health complications, so it’s best to avoid doing this altogether.
3. Bleach and Vinegar
These two create a powerful disinfectant but should never be used together. Vinegar is a weak acid; adding it to the bleach will release toxic chlorine and chloramine vapours. The produced gas, even at low levels, can cause coughing, and the worst that could happen is a chemical burn on your eyes and lungs.
In larger doses, the gas can be lethal, so if you mix bleach and vinegar and notice a pungent smell, you must immediately leave the area and breathe in some fresh air. Also, don’t pour the bleach down the drains, but make sure you dispose of it safely.
4. Bleach and Ammonia
Just like with vinegar, this mixture can cause respiratory damage, and if the ammonia is in excess, there is the potential for explosive liquid hydrazine to be formed. Typical symptoms when you have mixed those two are shortness of breath and chest pain. Many window and glass cleaners contain ammonia, so don’t mix them with bleach.
5. Rubbing Alcohol and Bleach
Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, which, mixed with ethanol or isopropyl, will produce chloroform and other compounds such as hydrochloric. The worst thing that could happen is to damage your nervous system, lungs, eyes, liver, skin and kidneys. In cases with extremely high levels of chloroform could result in death.
On the other hand, with lower levels, you will feel dizziness and nausea. So, for the sake of your health, make it a rule and be sure to mix bleach only with plain water.
6. Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar
These two substances are widely spread as a natural cleaning method. Still, it is not recommended to combine them together in the same container as it could result in corrosive acid and irritations.
However, you can use them separately while cleaning. The produced peracetic acid irritates the eyes, nose, throat, skin, lungs, ext. It can cause permanent cornea, throat and skin scarring.
7. Castile soap and Vinegar
These two should not be mixed because vinegar is an acid, and castile soap is essential. When combined, they react and cancel each other out. This way, you are not getting the best of both of them, but instead, an oily mess. Vinegar returns the soap to its original oils, and you will end with a whitish mess.
So, to sum up, if you want to achieve a maximum effect, you can use one after the other and not the two together simultaneously.
Final Words
Before mixing any two or three substances, carefully read the instructions on the products. It may seem harmless, but if different brands make the detergents, the effects can be dangerous as different manufacturers use various chemical combinations when making the products. This is what makes the brand’s product unique on the market. Even at first sight, they may not mix well to look alike and form a toxic reaction.
The cleanliness in our homes is essential, and sometimes we play it a bit chemists when it comes to fighting stubborn stains. However, safety comes first, especially in cases when you are not entirely sure what the end result would be. It is best to have someone to help you rather than risk it.
There are literally thousands and thousands of guides on the internet on how to prepare cleaning detergents. Sometimes the best way to save yourself from the hassle of buying new cleaners is to get home cleaning services or schedule regular housekeeping to preserve your household’s clean and healthy environment.
We hope that now that you know more about the dangers of mixing different chemicals, you will understand how hazardous it can be to play chemist. And while many sites and organisations advocate creating your own cleaning solutions so you can tackle the house chores for the sake of your health and safety, please, refrain from combining the aforementioned products at all costs.