The blockage in the drain has led to trouble. You attempted to clear it by pouring drain cleaner down the pipes, but when that didn’t seem to work, you added bleach. However, mixing different chemicals like these can lead to harmful reactions and negative outcomes for both your health and your home. It’s important to avoid turning your home into a hazardous science lab with risky experiments. Combining drain cleaner with bleach can release toxic fumes.
To shed light on the dangers of mixing these substances, we reached out to two experts in house cleaning: Kathy Turley, Director of Marketing for Home Clean Heroes in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Julie Edelman, author of The Accidental Housewife based in Florida.
When bleach and drain cleaner are mixed, they can produce chloramine gas, which can irritate the respiratory system, cause nausea, and lead to watery eyes. Kathy Turley warns that even brief exposure to the gas can result in coughing, throat irritation, dizziness, or breathing difficulties. In case of any symptoms, the Washington State Department of Health advises seeking medical help immediately.
It’s crucial to understand that bleach is not suitable for unclogging drains. While it may help eliminate odors, it won’t effectively clear blockages. Julie Edelman emphasizes that bleach is corrosive and can damage pipes, glue, and cement. To remove a clog, it’s best to use a proper drain cleaner like Drano or opt for a natural approach such as using baking soda and vinegar. Stick to one method and follow the instructions carefully, as patience is key in seeing results.
Avoid mixing bleach with other cleaners as it can create hazardous situations. It’s essential to handle bleach with caution and refrain from combining it with different substances, especially when cleaning.
Products. Here are harmful combinations of bleach and other cleaning agents and what can occur. Bleach and VinegarVinegar might be part of your cleaning basket but don’t mix it with bleach. “Beach and vinegar create chlorine gas, which can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat, leading to breathing problems, coughing, watery eyes, and nausea,” says Edelman. Vinegar and Hydrogen PeroxideHydrogen peroxide is good for disinfecting and may be in your first aid cabinet and your cleaning kit but combining it with vinegar is asking for trouble. “Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide [when] used separately, they’re terrific for disinfecting and stain removal,” says Edelman. “Used together, they create peracetic acid, which can be highly corrosive and cause skin, throat, and eye irritation.”Cleaning Product TipsHave a designated area where you keep all your cleaning products that aren’t accessible to kids or pets. “Store your cleaners safely—keep them out of reach of children and pets,” says Turley.Keep them in a cool, dry area and make sure they aren’t exposed to heat as some can be flammable.When it’s time to throw out an empty bottle or an expired cleaner, read the label about the best way to dispose of them. “Always dispose of cleaning products properly,” says Turley. “Never throw leftovers down the drain. If information isn’t on the label and you’re not sure what to do, Turley advises, “check your local waste management guidelines for proper disposal methods.”Related: 7 Mistakes Professional Cleaners Would Never MakeRead the original article on Southern Living
