Store cleaning chemicals in a locked cabinet or a high, secure shelf to keep them completely out of reach of children and pets. Ensure the space is cool, dry, and well-ventilated, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and food preparation areas.
The best place to store cleaning chemicals is in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area that is secure and clearly labelled. Ideally, use a dedicated chemical storage cabinet made from non-reactive materials and fitted with lockable doors to prevent unauthorised access.
Shelving in a basement, laundry room, or kitchen are all good options for cleaning products, and keeping them in a caddy will make them easy to access when you need them. Underneath the sink is another good place for cleaning products, so long as it's dry and secured if you have children or pets in the home.
What is the proper way to store chemicals in the kitchen? Chemicals should be stored in a designated area, away from food storage and preparation zones. They should be in their original, clearly labeled containers.
Lockable storage rooms and cabinets
To prevent uncontrolled access to potentially hazardous substances, cleaning agents should be stored in lockable rooms or cabinets.
General Storage Requirements
Hazardous chemicals must be stored below eye level. Do not store chemicals on the floor, window ledges, or balconies. Keep containers closed unless you are dispensing a chemical or adding to the container. Use rated storage cabinets or safety cans whenever possible—required for >10 gal.
Clean and sanitize equipment and utensils after using chemicals. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines. Store chemicals in the original containers (labeled with instructions and common name) in designated areas separate from food, equipment, linens, and utensils.
All chemicals and toxic materials, when not in use, should be stored away from food and food prep areas. An isolated shelf or chemical room is an appropriate location for cleaning supplies and chemicals. All chemicals and cleaning equipment should be 6 inches off the floor.
The ideal solution is to store chemicals in a closed, ventilated space. But if your apartment doesn't offer such conditions, a closet locked with a key or padlock is also a good option. A closet in a hallway or in a bathroom seems like the perfect spot for cleaning supplies.
Like all dangerous goods, cleaning chemicals need to stored in a secure area according to their hazard class. Oxidisers, flammable and combustible substances need to be stored away from ignition sources like flames, heat, sunlight, static electricity or any work operations that could cause a spark.
Keep Chemicals Away from Children and Pets
(Cats and dogs can open cabinets, too.) Because of this you might want to consider storing cleaning products on the top shelf of a laundry room, garage or closet.
Items not recommended to store under the sink
Harsh chemicals, bug spray, paper towels, waxes, carpet shampoo, drain cleaners, polishes and paints. Even some cleaning products, including dishwasher pods and colorful spray bottles, can be dangerous and entice curiosities for paws or tiny fingers.
Chemicals and Anything Flammable – Chemicals should always be stored with care, no matter what kinds of chemicals they are, from household cleaners to pool chemicals to extra cans of house paint.
All chemicals must be properly labeled and stored separate from food, food equipment, and preparation areas. Keep chemicals stored in their original containers and, if transferred to smaller containers or spray bottles, label the new container with the same name.
Make sure products are kept in a safe location away from heat, light, water and electricity sources. They should be kept in a designated cupboard where possible, or in a storage area with adequate ventilation. If space is not adequately ventilated there is a risk of a build-up of dangerous vapours, or fumes.
Paper towels, napkins, paper plates, paper bags, and other items that are made of paper or can be easily destroyed by moisture are also not the best supplies to store under the kitchen sink.
DON'T store chemicals haphazardly. Keep apart solid and liquid products, flammable and non-flammable liquids; acids and alkalis etc. Store all flammable substances in a flameproof metal cupboard. DON'T let your storage space get too hot - this can alter the products' chemistry and reduce their efficicacy.
Appropriate Storage Areas
Cleaning chemicals should be stored in designated areas, ideally in a separate storage room or cabinet. It should be secure and well ventilated. Larger quantities might require specific storage units or shelving systems designed for heavy or hazardous materials.
Shelves should be level, stable, and secured to the wall or another stable surface. Store chemicals away from direct sunlight and sources of heat. Corrosive chemicals must be stored below eye level. It is recommended that all liquid chemicals be stored below 6 feet to limit overhead storage and handling hazards.
Cleaning supplies should be stored away from food to prevent chemical contamination, including mops and buckets. Chemicals should be stored in original containers or labeled if poured into new ones, and disposed of according to the manufacturer's instructions.
21 Cleaning Chemical Handling Guidelines For Your Workplace
If you thought your garage was the perfect spot for leftover paint cans and cleaning chemicals, think again. In reality, extreme temperatures can break down these materials, making them less effective and even hazardous. For safety and longevity, store these items in a climate-controlled environment.
Store all chemicals in cabinets or closets with locks, keeping them out of reach of children and pets. Limit access so that only responsible adults handle these substances. Avoid storing them in common areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, or play spaces.
Store in a clean, cool, dry space. Some cleaning chemicals can have hazardous reactions when they experience extreme temperature fluctuations or high levels of humidity. Store in well-ventilated areas, away from HVAC intake vents. This helps prevent any fumes from spreading to other areas of the facility.
Storing chemicals and biological materials under sinks can lead to accidental spills. If there is a leak in the plumbing, this could compromise the integrity of the containers stored under the sink, plumbing, and surrounding area, potentially harming the environment.