Cleaning agents that must never be mixed

“Some substances are completely harmless alone, but when combined with others, they can lead to the appearance of hazardous fumes and other chemical reactions, ”says Nancy Bock of the American Cleanliness Institute, an organization that studies and promotes cleaning products.

Even if the resulting mixture does not turn out to be toxic, it is not known how it will affect the surface that you wanted to wash. So be careful. Always read the composition of the cleaning products, pay attention to the warnings on the packaging, and never allow the following combinations.

1. Bleach and vinegar

You might think that they would make a powerful disinfectant, but not so simple. “When they mix, chlorine gas is produced, which, even in small amounts, can cause coughing, breathing difficulties and burning eyes, ”warns Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Product Quality Testing Lab Institute. In general, it is best not to mix chlorine-containing products with anything other than water.

2. Soda and vinegar

Separately, they are very useful and will help you when cleaning the apartment. But it's still not worth connecting them. “Chemically, soda is the base and vinegar is the acid,” Bock says. - By combining them, you get water and sodium acetate. But mostly just water. "

During a chemical reaction, the mixture will begin to foam, and if kept in a closed container, it may explode.

3. Chlorine and ammonia

Ammonia is found in many window and mirror cleaners. Remember that you cannot use them together with chlorine-containing formulations. When chlorine is mixed with ammonia, the poisonous gas chloramine is released. “The effects will be the same as bleach and vinegar, plus suffocation and chest pains,” Forte says.

4. Two different pipe cleaners

“I would never recommend combining two different pipe products or using one immediately after the other,” Forte continues. "They have a very powerful composition and can even explode when mixed."

Use your product as directed (usually for remove blockage you need no more than half a bottle). If it does not help, do not fill in another one after, but call a plumber.

5. Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar

You may have heard this advice for cleaning fruits and kitchen surfaces: spray them with hydrogen peroxide, wipe them off, and then treat them with vinegar. This method is really safe, but you cannot mix two products in one bottle. The process produces peracetic acid, a caustic substance that irritates the skin, eyes and respiratory system. So be careful.