What should not be mixed with Clorox?

Author: Lexi Daugherty  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Bleach and ammonia produce a toxic gas called chloramine that can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. Ammonia can be found in some glass and window cleaners, dish detergents, drain cleaners, and urine (use caution when cleaning litter boxes and diaper pails). Bleach and rubbing alcohol create chloroform.

What not to mix with Clorox?

Don't mix bleach with ammonia, acids, or other cleaners.

Mixing bleach with common cleaning products can cause serious injuries. Be sure to always read the product label before using a cleaning product.

What is not compatible with bleach?

Combine Bleach with...
  • Acids and Acidic Compounds.
  • Ammonium Salts, Amines, Nitriles.
  • Guanidinium Salts (found in buffers.
  • Heat (e.g., from autoclaving)
  • Hydrogen Peroxide.
  • Metals.
  • Organic Chemicals.
  • Reducing Agents.

What should you not use Clorox on?

Seven places you should never use bleach include:
  • Wood Surfaces.
  • Stainless Steel and Most Metal Surfaces.
  • Stone Surfaces.
  • Grout.
  • Painted Surfaces.
  • Surfaces Where Children and Pets Hang Out.
  • Surfaces Near Plants.

What detergents are safe to mix with bleach?

Some Alconox Inc. critical cleaners can be mixed with bleach (hypochlorite) for enhanced removal of bioorganic matter, bleaching or oxidizing properties, including: Alconox® Powdered Precision Cleaner. Liquinox® Critical Cleaning Liquid Detergent.

6 Cleaning Products Combinations To NEVER Mix | Bleach and Ammonia

Can I mix bleach and Dawn dish soap together?

Bleach and soap don't mix! Mixing chlorine bleach and cleaners like dish soap can be harmful to your health. Mixing bleach with other cleaners can release toxic gases. Bleach can irritate your skin and eyes.

What soap is compatible with bleach?

The only product that is okay to mix with bleach is a surfactant such as Dawn dish soap. A surfactant such as Dawn or some other dish soap* lowers the surface tension so the solution spreads out better on the surface, rather than beading.

What can I mix with bleach to clean floors?

But typically, you can mix 1/4 cup of bleach on 2 and 1/2 cups of warm water. This should be enough to create a suitable solution to clean and disinfect floors. Be sure to measure accurately and mix the solution thoroughly before applying it to surfaces.

How long do bleach fumes stay in the air?

In a well-ventilated area, bleach fumes dissipate faster, sometimes within just a few hours. In contrast, the smell can linger for days in a closed-off room with no airflow.

Do you mix bleach with hot or cold water?

Procedures of Preparing/Using Diluted Bleach

Put on protective gear when diluting or using bleach as it irritates mucous membranes, the skin and the airway. Cold water should be used for dilution as hot water decomposes the active ingredient of bleach and renders it ineffective.

What material doesn't get affected by bleach?

Bleach-safe fabrics include whites and colors that are colorfast. Keep in mind that certain fabrics like silk and wool should never be bleached (it will be indicated on the garment care tag). Once you're ready to begin, set your wash cycle for your chosen garment's temperature and add an extra rinse cycle to the end.

Why is bleach not recommended?

Bleach can irritate the skin and eyes. Breathing in bleach over a long period of time can increase your risk of cancer. A dangerous gas can be formed when bleach is combined with certain chemicals (like ammonia). Bleach causes the buildup of chloroform in the air.

Can borax and bleach be used together?

It is safe to mix with chlorine bleach and detergent, which has been proven to improve the cleaning power of both. Think of borax as a maintenance product that will keep white things white. Paired with chlorine bleach, it turbocharges bleach's whitening power.

How long does chlorine gas stay in the air?

Chlorine gas can stay in the air for just a few minutes to several hours. It depends on the size and ventilation of the area as well as the amount of gas present. Open windows and doors to let in fresh air.

What not to mix with hydrogen peroxide?

Hydrogen Peroxide reacts violently with FINELY DIVIDIED METALS; REDUCING AGENTS; COMBUSTIBLES; STRONG BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE); OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); ORGANICS; ALCOHOLS; ETHERS; KETONES; ...

What kills bacteria in Clorox?

Not all disinfectants offered by Clorox contain bleach. Some products contain hydrogen peroxide and others, such as disinfecting wipes, have quaternary ammonium compounds that also help kill germs.

What neutralizes the smell of bleach?

Vinegar spray: Spray an equal amount of mixture, water, and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Acidity in vinegar has the power to neutralize chlorine gas.

Is it safe to sleep in a room that smells like bleach?

Sleeping in a room that smells like bleach can cause irritation to your eyes, nose, and lungs.

What neutralizes chlorine gas?

Two forms of vitamin C, ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate, will neutralize chlorine. Neither is considered a hazardous chemical.

What to never mix with bleach?

Bleach and ammonia produce a toxic gas called chloramine that can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. Ammonia can be found in some glass and window cleaners, dish detergents, drain cleaners, and urine (use caution when cleaning litter boxes and diaper pails). Bleach and rubbing alcohol create chloroform.

Can I mop my floors with bleach if I have a dog?

If you're cleaning the floor with bleach, make sure it's diluted with water and rinse the floors afterwards. Be sure to wait for it to dry before letting your pet into the room. A wet floor means that bleach can be transferred onto your pet's fur more easily, where they're at risk of licking it when grooming later.

What is unsafe to mix with bleach?

Bleach + Ammonia = Chloramine. This can cause shortness of breath and chest pain. Bleach + Rubbing alcohol = Chloroform. Another highly toxic combination!!

What can I mix Clorox with?

How to safely disinfect with bleach
  • Follow the label directions on the bleach product. ...
  • Never mix household bleach (or any disinfectants) with any other cleaners or disinfectants. ...
  • Make sure you have good ventilation while using bleach products indoors (for example, open windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter).

What not to use with bleach?

Don't mix bleach with other cleaning products

Other than adding water, bleach should be used on its own. Mixing ammonia, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol or other chemicals with sodium hypochlorite may cause chlorine gas to be released, a toxic chemical you don't want to breathe in.

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