Heavily soiled areas need heavy duty solutions to restore them to a clean state. Two of the most powerful household cleaners are likely under your kitchen cabinet right now: vinegar and bleach. On their own, these two chemicals are powerful and effective and busting up dirt and breaking down grime. But when mixed, the results can be downright dangerous. Here’s why.
White vinegar is versatile in the kitchen and cleaning departments. People use it when cleaning because it is known for its deodorizing, sanitizing, and stain removing properties. Chlorine bleach, on the other hand, is known for its brightening and disinfecting qualities. It is no wonder that so many people think combining these two powerful agents together is a no brainer. Unfortunately, the results of doing so can be disastrous. The reason being is that the main active ingredient in chlorine bleach is sodium hypochlorite. When sodium hypochlorite is met with an acid (in this case, vinegar), the sodium hypochlorite turns into hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid emits a powerful gas into the surrounding atmosphere.
Chlorine gas is so toxic that it was used to knock out enemy troops during World War I. Needless to say, it is extremely powerful and extremely harmful to the respiratory system.
Some symptoms that can occur when exposed to chlorine gas include:
- Red, blistering, burning skin
- Burning eyes, nose, and throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting
If you have accidentally created chlorine gas, remove yourself from the area immediately. Change into uncontaminated clothes and wash your skin. If you are experiencing extreme symptoms, seek medical help.
You can absolutely achieve a clean home with the use of bleach and vinegar. Just make sure to keep these two agents separated.
If you prefer not to use strong chemicals in your cleaning regime, let The Grout Medic be a part of your routine. We can clean and disinfect your tiled areas and we can do so using nothing more than steam. Call us today to learn more about our process.
By Grout Medic 8-1-2022
Recent:
