You could end up creating a toxic gas in pursuit of a deeper clean.
If youve ever fallen down the rabbit role of#productoverloadvideos on TikTok, its easy to understand why.
That saying about having too much of a good thing rings especially true here.
Photo:Rimma Bondarenko/Getty Images
So, keep it simple and stay safe by never mixing up the dangerous cleaning product combinations below.
Dr. Johnson-Arbor tells me this is a dangerous mix.
Combining toilet bowl cleaner and bleach can make chlorine gas," she says.
So, oftentimes consumers unintentionally combine things they shouldn’t.
One of the most common examples of this is bleach and ammonia.
“In high enough concentration, this gas can be lethal.
Be sure to read the back of the bottle if it isnt listed on the front.
And, when in doubt, look for labels that promote ammonia-free formulas.
“This can lead to coughing, breathing problems, burning, and watery eyes.”
Chlorine gas and water combine to make hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids, which are also irritants.
Dr. Walla warns that hydrogen peroxide and vinegar create peracetic acid.
Drain Cleaner and Bleach
Do your pipes have a stinky odor?
Its a recipe for a lethal reaction to take place in a very small pipe.
Some drain cleaners are alkaline-based while others are acid-based,” Bucur says.
“[The combination] can cause the release of chlorine gas, or worse, an explosion.
Bleach and Rubbing Alcohol
Trying to disinfect your bathtub or countertop?
Don’t combine bleach and rubbing alcohol, because it creates chloroform.
Like many other bad cleaning product combos, this can create chlorine gas,” Bucur says.
