Cleaning products you should never mix
Homeowners are being warned of five cleaning products they should never mix to avoid creating harmful chemical reactions following the latest viral CleanTok TikTok trend.
The fitted furniture experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk are urging Britons to avoid recreating the cleaning techniques they see on TikTok as they can create toxic combinations.
CleanTok refers to a category on TikTok where users post cleaning videos in their homes scrubbing things like their sinks, showers and bathrooms.
The hashtag has racked up a total of 68.1billion views but experts are concerned that the videos are promoting dangerous techniques with many people mixing cleaning products and unknowingly creating harsh chemicals.
Ben Slater from Online-Bedrooms said: “CleanTok is a really big community on TikTok which is great – users share their tips for achieving a sparkling clean home but there are some concerns.
“People find it really satisfying watching creators mix together several cleaning products in an attempt to deep clean their homes but there is actually some danger that they’re creating really harmful and acidic chemicals.
“Everyone should familiarise themselves with which cleaning products they should never mix to avoid accidentally creating dangerous combinations in their home which could be harmful to them and their families.
“Try to avoid mixing cleaning products altogether, if you accidentally mix a harmful combination, evacuate the home and get out into the fresh air. If you’ve inhaled the chemicals or are experiencing difficulty breathing or excessive coughing, call 111 for medical advice.”
Cleaning products you should never mix:
Bleach and vinegar
These two products should never be mixed together as they can create chlorine gas. They are two staple cleaning products that work great as a disinfectant when used separately. Combining them can lead to coughing, difficulty breathing and watery eyes.
Bleach and ammonia
Mixing bleach and ammonia creates chloramine, a toxic gas which has similar consequences as mixing bleach and vinegar. Chloramine can also cause chest pains and shortness of breath.
Drain cleaners
If you’re noticing a bad smell coming from your drains it can be tempting to use multiple drain cleaners in an attempt to banish the odour, but this can be extremely harmful. Stick to one drain cleaner and follow the instructions accordingly.
Baking soda and vinegar
On their own, baking soda and vinegar can actually clean the whole house, making them great alternatives to expensive branded products. However they should never be used together. When mixed together they turn into a foam, if this is placed in a small container it can cause a mini explosion
Bleach and toilet bowl cleaner
Mixing multiple products in the toilet will not make it come out cleaner. On TikTok a lot of videos show creators mixing toilet bowl cleaner with bleach and other products. This is a dangerous combination that can create chlorine gas which can irritate the eyes and cause difficulty breathing.
