Alycia's Cleaning Co.

Surely you’ve heard not to mix cleaners but have you ever got in to depth as to why? I’ve certainly worked for companies that encouraged it, even in small spaces, all in the goal to get a better clean. I can remember standing in a enclosed shower in a hotel spraying not one, not two but three different chemicals in one spot and not one lick of PPE to be seen. I was quite young when I held that job and lacked the education or the confidence to address the illegal and dangerous nature of those instructions and had I stayed longer I could have endured life long health effects. Over a decade older and more education acquired I understand exactly what was happening and how to avoid it. Now onto the fun stuff. We will start with a common one.

Bleach + Ammonia = Chloramine Gas

Most of you have heard of this one. Chloramine gas may not be one of the most dangerous gases produced however it can cause shortness of breath, chest pain and respiratory issues at lower level exposures. At a higher exposure level it can cause difficulty breathing, vomiting, lightheadedness, chest pain and corneal (eye) burns. I think a lot of our bathroom cleaners would be possible culprits or anything promising whitening or disinfection. Next up:

Bleach + Rubbing Alcohol = chloroform

Yes you read that right. Although I can’t personally think of a scenario or mess that would indicate a mixing of these chemicals it’s easy enough to do without thinking. As simple as using rubbing alcohol to remove stains, particularly ink, then disinfecting the surface later without a thorough rinse in between. Nothing like knocking yourself out while doing household chores.

Now some of these are strong cleaners and we’d be a little wary of them to begin with, hence, the all natural cleaner movement. Eco-friendly, more natural and safer? Well not necessarily. Even Vinegar, a simple acid, has the potential for some dangerous combinations.

Vinegar + Bleach = Chlorine Gas

This one is brutal. This will immediately irritate and cause burning to your eyes, nose, throat and lungs. It causes coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath and then has the potential to fill your lungs with fluid (possibly fatal) and cause long term asthma. It also has the potential to cause burns to your skin and then blindness if contact with your eyes had occurred. Effects range from mild to deadly, and if you survive you still may deal with the effects for the rest of your life.

Vinegar + Hydrogen Peroxide = Corrosive Peracetic Acid

I mean the name speaks for itself. This is actually used as a strong disinfectant in healthcare settings as well as for sanitizing carcasses (butcher), processing equipment and water treatment but it requires very specific handling. On its own its very unstable, and a strong oxidizer, meaning highly likely to catch flames, even from a spark. Health wise, improper handling can cause burns to your skin, eyes and respiratory tract. You definitely want training before handling this one on top of good gloves, a suit and a respirator.

These are a few of our most common combinations but there can be many more. Its very important to read your labels and do research on your cleaning products and avoid mixing any if possible. Using WHMIS standards for labeling your cleaners, even if not required for over the counter products never hurts. It truly is best to stick to a few trusted products, even if that shiny new one is promising results. Be smart. We all want shiny, clean homes but not at the cost of our health.