Vinegar, baking soda and bleach: what each one is for and the cleaning mixtures you should never make

Cleaning videos have millions of followers: foam bubbling in the sink, bathrooms sparkling in seconds, "the ultimate mix" for grease. They're mesmerizing, but some hide a serious problem. Every year, poison control centers handle thousands of calls about exposure to household cleaning products, many caused by mixtures made with the best intentions. Here's what each product does and which ones should never be combined.

What each one does

White vinegar

It's a mild acid (acetic acid). It dissolves limescale on faucets, shower screens and kettles, makes glass shine and gets rid of some odors.

Don't use it on: marble, granite and other natural stone (it etches them and dulls the shine), unsealed grout, waxed wood, or, if used often and undiluted, some rubber parts in appliances.

Baking soda

It's a mild, slightly abrasive base. Useful as a paste (with a little water) for scrubbing residue from pots, ovens and sinks, and for absorbing odors in the fridge or shoes.

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite)

It's a powerful disinfectant. Useful for disinfecting surfaces and toilets and for whitening. It should be diluted according to the label, used with good ventilation, and never applied to sensitive metals or colored fabrics.

Ammonia

An effective degreaser for glass and very dirty surfaces. It has a strong, irritating smell and should be used diluted and with ventilation.

Hydrogen peroxide

The drugstore kind (3%) can be used to disinfect some surfaces and remove certain stains. It breaks down in light, which is why it's sold in opaque bottles.

The mixtures you should NEVER make

1. Bleach + vinegar (or any acid)

This produces chlorine gas, which irritates the eyes, throat and lungs and, in an enclosed space like a bathroom, can cause serious breathing problems. Note that some limescale removers and drain cleaners contain acids, so don't combine them with bleach either.

2. Bleach + ammonia

This releases chloramines, highly toxic gases that cause coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath and can damage the lungs. Be aware that urine contains ammonia compounds, so pouring lots of bleach into an unflushed toilet can also release some of these gases.

3. Bleach + rubbing alcohol

This can form chloroform and other toxic compounds. During the pandemic, homemade "super disinfectant" mixtures like this spread online and were dangerous.

4. Hydrogen peroxide + vinegar

Mixed in the same container, they form peracetic acid, which is corrosive and can irritate the skin, eyes and airways. If you use both, apply them separately and rinse in between.

5. Two different products of the same type

For example, two different drain cleaners: one may be acidic and the other alkaline, and the reaction can generate heat and dangerous splashes.

What about the famous vinegar and baking soda combo?

It isn't dangerous, but it's not as useful as it looks. When mixed, the acid and the base neutralize each other: the result is mostly water, a salt (sodium acetate) and carbon dioxide, which makes the bubbles. The fizz looks impressive on video, but the mixture cleans less well than either product on its own. Use them in separate steps: baking soda for scrubbing and vinegar for limescale.

One extra warning: never store the mixture in a closed bottle, because the gas can build up pressure and make the container burst.

Golden rules for cleaning safely

1. Read the label and follow the recommended dilutions. More product doesn't mean cleaner.
2. Use one product at a time and rinse with water before moving to the next.
3. Ventilate while you clean, especially in small bathrooms.
4. Wear gloves and, with strong products, eye protection.
5. Never decant products into water or soda bottles: it's one of the most common causes of accidental poisoning, especially in children.
6. Store products up high, closed and out of reach of children and pets. Take special care with detergent pods: they look like candy.

What to do if someone inhales or swallows a product

• If someone inhales fumes: get out into fresh air and ventilate the room. If there's persistent coughing, difficulty breathing or chest pain, call emergency services.
• If someone swallows a product: don't induce vomiting. Call poison control (in the US, 1-800-222-1222) or emergency services, and keep the container handy so you can read the ingredients.
• If it gets in the eyes or on the skin: rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.

The bottom line

For most everyday cleaning, water, soap or a mild detergent and a good microfiber cloth are all you need. Save strong products for when you really need them, use them one at a time and never improvise mixtures. A clean bathroom isn't worth a scare.