Many people think mixing two cleaners makes them twice as strong, but some combinations react and release fumes that irritate the eyes and chest, and can be dangerous in a small bathroom without ventilation. The simplest rule: one product at a time, and rinse with water before you switch to another.
Combinations to always avoid
- Bleach (chlorine) with ammonia: releases irritating chloramine fumes. Ammonia is in some glass cleaners and in urine, so don’t use bleach on urine stains without rinsing them with water first.
- Bleach with vinegar or acidic limescale removers: releases chlorine gas. Note that some toilet cleaners are acidic.
- Bleach with alcohol: forms harmful compounds, so never mix alcohol-based sanitisers with chlorine.
- Hydrogen peroxide with vinegar in one bottle: forms an acid that can irritate skin and eyes.
- Two different drain cleaners: they can react violently inside the pipe.
Safe habits every time you clean
- Read the label and follow the dilution on it: more product doesn’t clean better.
- Ventilate: open a window or run the bathroom extractor fan.
- Wear gloves, and safety glasses with strong products.
- Keep cleaners in their original containers, and never pour them into water or juice bottles.
- Store them up high or locked away from children and pets.
If you breathe the fumes in
Go out into fresh air straight away, open the windows if you can without staying in the room, and rinse your eyes or skin under running water if they were splashed. If you feel short of breath, have chest pain or feel very dizzy, call an ambulance on 9999.
We can use an eco line without strong smells on request.
