What happens when you mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar

The bottom line: Think twice before mixing once.

Cleaning is one chore many of us loathe. And when it comes to stubborn messes and tough stains, you may feel the urge to start mixing ingredients together in an effort to make the ultimate cleaning product. But before you turn your kitchen into a chemistry lab, beware of the dangers to your health and your home that can potentially arise when mixing cleaning products together.

“Don’t take chances when it comes to the safe use of cleaning products,” says Brian Sansoni from the American Cleaning Institute. “Mixing cleaning products can lead to irritated airways, respiratory problems, or burns to your skin, eyes, throat, nose, and lungs.”

While vinegar is a common pantry staple that many people clean their homes with, you should think twice before you mix the acidic solution with the three things below. Check out the 95 ways you can safely use vinegar around your house.

Hydrogen peroxide + vinegar

You may assume that combining these two ingredients in the same bottle will boost their cleaning power, but it’s more likely to increase your risk of going to the emergency room. In fact, together they’re quite potent. “Combining these two cleaning solutions creates peracetic acid,” says Sansoni. “It’s corrosive and an irritant that can harm your skin, eyes, nose, and throat in high concentrations.” Here’s what you need to know instead of believing these 10 cleaning myths.

Bleach + vinegar

Bleach smells quite pungent by itself. But the smell grows even more acrid once you add vinegar because the combination releases chlorine and chloramine vapors, which can cause a chemical burn. “Many cleaning products use either bleach or ammonia, and mixing them [with vinegar] can cause this reaction, which is why you should never mix any kind of cleaning product,” says Sansoni.

Baking soda + vinegar

Each of these products can easily clean a mess on its own, but together, they lose their ability to effectively clean your home. If you mix acidic vinegar with basic baking soda and stow them away in a closed container, the mixture can be quite explosive—literally. That’s because vinegar causes baking soda to foam up and explode. But, despite the explosive nature of the two ingredients, you’re essentially left with nothing more than water and a bit of sodium acetate—virtually useless at cleaning surfaces. Make sure you know the 17 brilliant ways to fix things with baking soda.

If you decide to make a cleaning product from scratch, Sansoni recommends you double check the safety of the combinations, list all the ingredients on the container, and keep the bottle out of reach of children and pets. And always test the homemade product before using it. His lesson here is that “you save a lot of time and trouble by using formulated cleaning products that come with details on safe and proper use and storage.”

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When you're faced with a tough cleaning job, it's easy to get frustrated — and tempting to get creative with how you combat it. But before you reach for every cleaning product under your sink and start playing chemist, take caution. "People often think that if one product works, mixing it with another one will make it even better," says Carolyn Forte, Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab.

But here's the scary truth: "Certain products, which are safe when used alone, can sometimes cause unsafe fumes or other chemical reactions when mixed with other products," says Nancy Bock, Senior VP of Education at the American Cleaning Institute. And even if your ad-hoc cleaner combo isn't dangerous or toxic, you can never be sure what effect two products can have on a surface or fabric when combined.

Always read the warning and ingredient labels on cleaning products — and never mix these:

1. Bleach + Vinegar

The combination sounds like it'd be a powerful disinfectant, but the two should never be mixed. "Together, they produce chlorine gas, which even at low levels, can cause coughing, breathing problems, and burning, watery eyes," says Forte.

2. Baking Soda + Vinegar

We're calling you out, Pinterest: Although these pantry staples are handy on their own — both baking soda and vinegar can help clean all over the house — you should skip any DIY cleaner recipe that involves this not-so-dynamic duo.

"Baking soda is basic and vinegar is acidic," says Bock. "When you put them together you get mostly water and sodium acetate. But really, just mostly water." Plus, vinegar causes baking soda to foam up. If stored in a closed container, the mixture can explode.

3. Bleach + Ammonia

Bleach and ammonia produce a toxic gas called chloramine. "It causes the same symptoms as bleach and vinegar — along with shortness of breath and chest pain," says Forte. Many glass and window cleaners contain ammonia, so never mix those with bleach.

4. Drain Cleaner + Drain Cleaner

"I would never recommend mixing two different drain cleaners or even using one right after the other," says Forte. "These are powerful formulas, and could even explode if combined." Use one product according to package directions (typically, only half a bottle is needed per treatment). If it doesn't work, don't try another product. Instead, call a plumber, Forte says.

5. Hydrogen Peroxide + Vinegar

You may have heard that you should spray fruits or countertops with alternating mists of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar, wiping down the surface between sprays. Experts say this method is safe — but don't mix the two products in the same container. Combining them creates peracetic acid, which is potentially toxic and can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.

6. Bleach + Rubbing Alcohol

Perhaps you've heard of chloroform? You know, the stuff kidnappers in the movies put on rags to knock out their victims? Although it might not actually make you pass out, this combination can be irritating and toxic. Make it a rule to never mix bleach with anything but plain water. "Even other products like window and toilet bowl cleaners can have ingredients, like acids or ammonia, that shouldn't be mixed with bleach," says Forte.

Lauren is a senior editor at Hearst. She was previously the senior editor at WomansDay.com and the home editor at GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com. Her book club, ramen, and jean jackets are a few of her favorite things.

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