Social media has revolutionized the way we clean, introducing hacks like laundry stripping and making mopping seem cool. Instead of It Girls, we have It Sponges, and everyone is spending their Sundays doing bedroom resets.
But all of this buzzy new cleaning content brings with it new cleaning problems: Lots of advice that doesn’t account for the complex chemistry of products, including and especially the potential that mixing the wrong things can result in toxic fumes that can, and do, kill people and animals. Cleaning hacks found on social media, says Morgan Eberhard, a principal scientist for P&G Home Care, “are made much of the time by people without a scientific background to understand the risks associated with their advice.”
Experts stress that chemical cleaning products are safe and effective when used as directed, but mixing or misusing them poses serious health and safety risks. Ahead, they share the things they want you to know about cleaning agents, and what they really wish you’d stop doing.
Skip this particular hack on social media
TikTok and Instagram are filled with dangerous cleaning advice that the experts we spoke to would like to punt into the sun, so to speak. One, in particular, drew all of their ire: “product overload,” also called “cleaning overload,” an eye-catching trend that might look cool in a 30-second TikTok but will seem markedly less cool when you’re calling the Poison Control hotline after inhaling chloramine gas. (800-222-1222, save that number in your phone.)
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“Cleaning overload is a very dangerous (and ineffective) trend where a rainbow of different cleaning products are used to try and get something like the toilet ‘really’ clean,” says Jessica Ek, cleaning expert at the American Cleaning Institute. “It should never be done.”
Stop putting your cleaning products in cute jars
Experts would also like you to stop turning your laundry room into an adorable fabric care apothecary. “Another risky trend is transferring cleaning products, especially detergent pods, into decorative jars or unmarked containers for aesthetic reasons, which can increase the risk of accidental ingestion particularly for children and pets,” says Heather Day, a principal scientist at the Clorox Co.
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“We recommend that you always make sure to store cleaning agents in their original containers with the labels intact,” Eberhard says. Ek echoes this advice, “Cleaning products should be stored out of sight and reach of children, older adults with cognitive impairments, and pets. They should be stored in a cool, dry place, in their original containers.”
Don’t play mixologist with your cleaning supplies
“Never mix cleaning products,” Ek. says “You may think one product gets things clean so more products will get things cleaner, but it can be very dangerous.” She points out that individual products have a formulation that is safe when used as directed, but when mixed with another product could produce a chemical reaction you’re not aware of. Instead of using multiple cleaning agents at once, she says, use a product as directed, repeating as needed. “If something is not getting clean, wait and try again.”
Ek also strongly urges people not to make their own cleaning products: “While it can seem like a safer option, the opposite is usually true. Cleaning products are carefully formulated and tested and contain important information on the label in case of emergencies.” DIY cleaning formulas aren’t vetted, and don’t come with safety information, making them a potential hazard. “An ingredient like vinegar may seem harmless but can be a strong irritant if mixed with something like hydrogen peroxide, and even on its own it can damage the finish on some surfaces,” Ek says.
Pay special attention to the Big Bads: bleach, ammonia, acids and flammables
All chemical cleaning agents can be dangerous, but experts say to be especially careful when working with bleach; ammonia; acids like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and even lemon juice; and flammable agents like rubbing alcohol. This is also true of products that contain these ingredients, making a cursory check of the ingredients list or Safety Data Sheet a good idea when working with a cleaning product that’s new to you. Eberhard says to be especially careful with products designed for uses on drains and toilets: “[They] often contain potent chemicals that can react violently when mixed, producing heat, toxic gases, or even causing explosions,” Eberhard says.
The SDS for Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover, for example, includes this piece of information: “Reacts with other household chemicals such as products containing ammonia, toilet bowl cleaners, rust removers, vinegar, or acids to produce hazardous gases, such as chlorine and other chlorinated compounds.” Reading that, you can imagine how easy it is to accidentally mix bleach and ammonia, a common ingredient in glass cleaners, in the bathroom, resulting in toxic fumes overtaking the space.
It’s not just heavy-duty chemicals that pose a risk. “Even ingredients as seemingly harmless as household vinegar, when combined improperly with the wrong materials, can lead to harmful gases and other irritants,” Eberhard says.
Read the label!
“With all cleaning products, be sure to read the label and follow the instructions,” Ek says. “It will have important information, including cautions and warnings,” which may include things like wearing gloves or ensuring the space you’re working in has proper ventilation. “When it is directed on usage labels,” Day says, “use gloves and any other recommended personal protective gear to avoid skin contact and splashes.” She also says that it is a good habit to wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning.
And don’t overlook the expiration dates on products, “particularly disinfectants and hand sanitizers,” she says, which lose efficacy over time.
What to do if you accidentally create toxic fumes
In the event you or someone in your household accidentally mixed cleaning agents that produce toxic fumes, it’s important to act quickly and safely. “If you realize you’ve mixed cleaning agents, leave the area immediately and ensure other people and pets also leave,” Ek says.
- Move out of the space to an area with fresh air as quickly as possible.
- Air out the space by opening windows and doors.
- Contact Poison Control for guidance; do not try to clean up or neutralize the mixture, which can make the situation worse.
- Seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms such as coughing, chest pain or shortness of breath.
The post Cleaning experts are begging you to stop trying these online ‘hacks’ appeared first on Washington Post.
