Never Mix These 5 Cleaning Products Under Your Kitchen Sink

Jane Clark

15 minutes ago

The cabinet under your kitchen sink is a small chemistry lab, and most of us never think of it that way. Bleach, glass cleaner, drain opener and a jug of vinegar all sit a few inches apart.

Each one is fine on its own. The trouble starts when two of them meet in a bucket, a sink or a bottle, because some combinations give off gases that can hurt your lungs and eyes.

Here are 5 pairings to keep apart, drawn from the Georgia Department of Public Health “What Not To Mix” sheet and the Washington State Department of Health.

Bleach And Ammonia Make A Toxic Gas Called Chloramine

The Georgia Department of Public Health says mixing bleach and ammonia produces chloramine, a toxic gas that can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. Ammonia turns up in some glass and window cleaners, dish detergents and drain cleaners, according to Georgia.

Georgia also notes that urine contains ammonia, so use extra caution when cleaning litter boxes and diaper pails. Washington’s Department of Health lists coughing, nausea, watery eyes, wheezing and fluid in the lungs among the effects of chloramine gases.

That is a lot of trouble from two things that sit side by side in many cabinets. If a spill needs cleaning, rinse it with plain water first.

Bleach And Vinegar Release Chlorine Gas

This is the one many of us have heard about, and Georgia confirms it. Bleach mixed with vinegar, or any acid, produces chlorine gas, which can cause coughing, breathing problems and eye irritation.

Georgia lists toilet cleaners, glass and window cleaners, drain cleaners and rust removers as places acids hide. Washington’s Department of Health adds that very high levels of chlorine gas can be fatal, so a quick “extra scrub” is never worth the risk.

Washington also explains that even low exposure irritates the eyes, nose and throat and can cause coughing and breathing problems. Higher exposure can cause chest pain, vomiting and pneumonia.

Georgia lists the warning signs of chlorine gas as coughing, breathing problems and eye irritation. If you notice them, leave the room.

Bleach And Rubbing Alcohol Create Chloroform

It may sound like a clever disinfecting trick. It is not.

According to Georgia’s sheet, bleach and rubbing alcohol produce chloroform, which is highly toxic and can damage the eyes, lungs and liver. Keep the two bottles on separate shelves, and never pour one into a container that held the other.

Georgia’s list is a good one to tape inside the cabinet door. A thirty-second glance can beat a trip to the emergency room.

Bleach And Drain Or Toilet Bowl Cleaners Are A Dangerous Match

Here is where a stubborn clog can turn into an emergency. Georgia says drain cleaners and toilet cleaners can contain acids, and some drain cleaners contain ammonia, which means bleach mixed in could release chlorine gas or chloramine.

Washington’s Department of Health says to read product labels before use, because many household products list bleach as an ingredient. If a drain will not clear, stop and call a plumber rather than stacking one product on top of another.

Washington’s Department of Health also says bleach reacts with oven cleaners, hydrogen peroxide and some insecticides. It adds that pool chemicals often contain calcium or sodium hypochlorite and should not be mixed with other cleaners.

Hydrogen Peroxide And Vinegar Form A Corrosive Acid

Both are in the “natural cleaning” category, so they feel safe together. Georgia says the pair produces peracetic acid, which is highly corrosive and can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.

Georgia’s advice for this pairing is the same as the rest: do not combine the products. Spray one, rinse thoroughly, and only then use the other if you must.

Georgia notes that peracetic acid is the reason this combination is on the list. Natural does not always mean harmless.

What To Do If You Mix Something By Accident

Georgia’s advice is blunt: never mix bleach with anything but plain water. Products that are safe alone can be dangerous together, so read each label and never mix them.

The Washington State Department of Health says to use products in a well-ventilated area and to contact a health care provider or call 911 if you or someone else has symptoms after exposure to a chemical mixture. Get everyone, including pets, out into fresh air first.

Georgia also says to use products in a well-ventilated area. Fresh air does not make a bad mix safe, but it gives you a better chance of noticing trouble early and walking away.

Smart Habits For The Cabinet Under The Sink

Georgia recommends storing products in their original containers, out of children’s reach. Keep the labels readable, because the label is your best guide to what is inside.

Wear protective gear, open a window, and clean one task at a time. Rinse the surface between products and let it dry before you move on.

A tidy cabinet is a safer cabinet. Put bleach on one side, acids and drain cleaners on the other, and keep a clear path to the nearest window. Share the list with grown children and grandparents, too, since anyone might grab the nearest bottle in a hurry.