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Never Mix These Common Cleaning Products to Stay Safe

Nothing can be as frustrating as dealing with a tough cleaning job. It is all too easy to fall into the temptation of doing everything possible just to get the task done.

However, before you grab all those cleaning products you can find and experiment with them, take a pause first.  While most of these items might do a great job on their own, mixing them might not only be ineffective but may even be downright dangerous.

Here are some of the common cleaning products that you should never mix at all:

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are pantry staples that can come in handy on their own. Both of them can help you in cleaning your house. However, you have to ensure that you stay away from DIY cleaning recipes which include the combination of these two.

For starters, baking soda is a type of base, while vinegar is a form of acid. Once mixed, you will get water and sodium acetate, although it is mostly water. Vinegar and baking soda will also foam up, and the combination may even explode if stored or kept in a closed container.

Bleach and Ammonia

Combining bleach and ammonia produces chloramine, a type of toxic gas. Once inhaled, it may cause shortness of breath and chest pain. Ammonia is found in most glass and window cleaners so avoid mixing these with bleach.

Bleach and Rubbing Alcohol

Are you familiar with chloroform? This is the stuff kidnappers use in movies to knock out their victims. While it might not make you pass out, this combination can irritate and may even be toxic. You should never mix bleach with anything else aside from plain water. Certain products such as window cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners may contain ingredients such as acids or ammonia and must never be mixed with bleach at all.

Bleach and Vinegar

Combining vinegar and bleach may sound like you will be getting an ultrapowerful disinfectant. But these two are things that you should never attempt to mix since it produces chlorine gas. Even low levels of this gas can cause coughing, burning eyes, and breathing concerns.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar

You probably know that you should spray countertops with alternating mists of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar and wipe down the surface in between sprays. It is a safe method according to experts. But mixing these two in the same container is a big no-no. Once combined, it can produce peracetic acid that can be potentially toxic and might cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.

Two Types of Drain Cleaners

Finally, it is never recommended to mix two drain cleaners nor should you use one right after another. These products are extremely potent formulas, and once combined, these may even explore. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product package and use just one product at a time. Every treatment often requires half a bottle. When this doesn’t work, avoid using another product and call an expert plumber instead.

To stay super safe, leave all your commercial and office cleaning jobs to the hands of the experts at Courtesy Building Services, Inc.