Concerns related to COVID-19 have people scrambling to clean their homes and protect their loved ones. However, for some the effort is having frightening effects, including causing other health concerns when the wrong chemicals are mixed during cleaning efforts.

Matthew Teribery, Research and Development Director at B&T Contractors Inc., shared some tips on what to think of before you start pulling cleaning supplies out of the cupboard.

“With the rise of COVID-19, we’re seeing many people ask more questions about cleaning and disinfecting. Both are important and both do different jobs. It’s important that people clean surfaces first and then disinfect,” Teribery explained. “Remember, cleaning is removing soil, dirt and contaminates. Cleaning doesn’t kill germs, but it does remove some of them. Disinfecting is the process of using chemicals to actually kill germs, when the proper application and dwell times have been used.”

The effort to clean the home is a two-step process. The second step, using disinfectants, is where dangerous mixtures can occur.

“Along with properly disinfecting surfaces, it’s important to do so safely. Many people think they need a combination of products to achieve a better clean or disinfection, but that isn’t true,” Teribery said. “Household cleaners and disinfectants from the store are more than sufficient. It’s important to clean a surface first with soap and water or other neutral cleaner to remove soil and contaminates.

“Next if you want to disinfect, you then apply your household disinfectant or bleach and water mixture and allow it to dwell properly. When using any product, it’s important to follow the manufacturers instructions for application, proper handling and ventilation.”

While handling both cleaning and disinfecting in the home, there are certain things to focus on, including the fact that using different cleaning products means the potential to mix chemicals. That can be very dangerous.

“It’s important to NEVER mix any chemicals unless the instructions on the product instruct you to. Cleaning chemicals can be composed of one of the following: bleach, ammonia, acid, or hydrogen peroxide,” Teribery noted. “All of these chemicals are designed to do a job on their own, not in conjunction with each other.”

Teribery included some of the following as combinations that can have dangerous consequences, while noting that there are others he did not cover.

Toxic mixtures

Bleach + Vinegar = Chlorine gas

Bleach + Acid = Chlorine gas + Water = Hydrochloric Acid

Bleach + Ammonia = Chloramine gas

Hydrogen Peroxide + Vinegar = Peracetic acid

Bleach + Rubbing Alcohol = Chloroform

“Unfortunately an employee at Buffalo Wild Wings died and 13 were hospitalized in November of 2019, when an employee cleaning the floor mixed two cleaning chemicals (bleach and acid) together that created a toxic gas,” Teribery explained.

He went on to share the following common cleaners that could contain chemicals to watch during cleaning sprees.

“Sodium hypochlorite is the ingredient found in bleach and it can also be found in many household cleaners. Products that can contain ammonia (include) window cleaner, furniture polish and other forms of cleaner,” Teribery said. “Products that can contain acid (are) vinegar, toilet bowl cleaner, window cleaner, drain cleaner, tile cleaner and hard water deposit cleaners.

Bleach is an excellent cleaner when used properly. Be sure to only mix bleach with water.”

Teribery explained that these gases can cause severe or even deadly consequences. Symptoms of exposure to these gases can include coughing, nausea, shortness of breath, watery eyes and can result in death.

Teribery explained that readers who plan to clean and disinfect should focus on “frequent touch points,” which include door handles, light switches, countertops, faucets, toilet handles, coffee pots and the mice and keyboard for the computer.

“Another commonly forgotten item to disinfect are cell phones, which we carry with us and touch every day,” Teribery said. “It’s important to check with the manufacturer on how to properly disinfect your phone, but typically a disinfectant wipe or disinfectant sprayed on a cloth can be used to wipe your phone.”