Health Education

Don't Mix Household Chemicals

  • Newsroom
  • October 30, 2025

Chemicals are a major part of modern life, and you don't have to look any further than the cabinet or closet where you store your cleaning supplies to know that's true. What many people don't realize is, while these products may share the common goal of cleaning and disinfecting your home, they don't always work well together. Aside from the inherent dangers present in any household chemicals, mixing them together can produce dangerous, and sometimes deadly, results.

Alabama emergency rooms occasionally treat people for chemical exposures from bleach and other chemicals --- often because the products are being mixed together by mistake. In fact, according to the Alabama Poison Information Center, cleaning products consistently rank in the top ten substances causing harmful pediatric exposures in Alabama and in the United States as a whole.

Mixing Or Misusing Household Chemicals

Household cleaners are mixtures of chemicals engineered to produce specific results effectively and safely. They come with explicit instructions on how to use them. Unfortunately, people sometimes take matters into their own hands, and try things like adding lemon juice to bleach so they get that fresh citrus smell when they mop the kitchen floor.

It is very important NOT to do things like this. Mixing anything with household chemicals --- whether it's other household chemicals or simple fruit juice --- can result in unintended chemical reactions that can be very dangerous. Some common examples include:

  • Bleach + Ammonia: This mixture creates a toxic chloramine gas that can cause serious and long-lasting respiratory issues.
  • Bleach + Acids (Lemon Juice, Vinegar, etc.): Mixing bleach and acidic substances can result in chlorine gas. Smaller concentrations of chlorine gas such as one would expect from mixing household products could result in minor to serious irritation and damage to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide + Vinegar: Mixing these together can create toxic fumes, corrosive acid, or cause spontaneous combustion.

Symptoms of Chemical Poisoning

Depending on the substances involved, improper mixing of household chemicals can produce a variety of symptoms ranging from irritating to fatal. Common symptoms to watch for include:

  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Irritation of the eyes, skin, throat, or respiratory tract.
  • Headache or blurred vision.
  • Dizziness, clumsiness, or lack of coordination.
  • Cramps or diarrhea.
  • Changes in skin color.

Safety Tips

Whether transporting them, storing them, or using them, household chemicals should always be handled carefully. These tips will help protect your people and your pets from hazardous exposures:

  • DO NOT mix household chemicals.
  • Always check the product label and follow the instructions provided.
  • Use cleaning products in well-ventilated areas.
  • Store products in their original containers.
  • Store different types of cleaning products separately to avoid accidental mixing.
  • Store all household chemicals out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Use safety locks and guardrails on shelves and cabinets where household chemicals are stored.
  • Wear gloves and goggles when using products.
  • Do not use household cleaners on yourself or others.

Safe Household Cleaning Alternatives

The American Lung Association offers some Safer Cleaning Recipes that utilize ingredients such as white vinegar, baking soda, and Castile soap (soap made with natural olive oil and other vegetable-based oils). However, it's important to remember that these ingredients should not be mixed with other cleaning agents.

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