You Should Never Mix These Cleaning Products Together

Whether you’re making your own DIY cleaning solution or simply trying to power through your cleaning, it’s important to know your way around your cleaning chemical cabinet.

Any time you are working with cleaning products, remember that they are chemicals—and some do not play nicely together.

Though chemicals should always be approached with caution, particularly when it comes to combining them with other varieties, we’re focusing on combinations that should be avoided completely, whether the mixture creates harmful chemical gases to cleaning agents that simply cancel each other out. 

Bleach with Most Other Cleaning Products

We’re leading our list with a single cleaning product that you should always use with caution when mixing with other cleaning products: bleach.
You’ll see it mentioned on this list quite a few times, as it can create certain fumes and compounds that are harmful.

Bleach with Rubbing Alcohol

Avoid mixing rubbing alcohol and bleach as the two will result in chloroform, says Silva-Nash.
Even if you aren’t using bleach with another cleaning agent, Gagliardi always recommends following the label’s directions for contact times and proper dilution.

Bleach with Vinegar

Bleach and vinegar might be two of the most popular and effective cleaning ingredients you can have in your arsenal, but just make sure you never use them together.1
Mixing bleach with vinegar can cause chemical burns and become more harmful in greater concentrations.

Bleach with Ammonia

Using cleaning products that combine a number of ingredients poses its own threat as it can be more difficult to realize when there might be a chemical present that shouldn’t be mixed.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar

Mixing hydrogen peroxide and vinegar causes a harmful acid you don't want to clean with. Stick to just hydrogen peroxide or vinegar on their own.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

While some of the ingredient duos on this list can be harmful when combined, this is one combination that simply loses its efficacy.
Vinegar and baking soda aren’t dangerous when combined, but when mixed together, vinegar and baking soda neutralize each other and lose their cleaning properties.
While they can both be effective cleaners in the appropriate circumstances, it is better to use them separately. 

Acidic Cleaners and Bleach
Acidic cleaners, such as rust removers and heavy-duty toilet bowl cleaners, and bleach can produce vapors that could be harmful.
Keeping these cleaning products separate and never mixing them should mitigate concern and keep your air safe.

Thanks to House & Garden for these Tips