Why You Should Never Combine Vinegar- & Bleach-Based Cleaners

I'm going to go on record and say that white vinegar is the most versatile ingredient around. What else can you use as a pickling liquid one minute and clothing brightener and window cleaner the next? There are few things this affordable staple can't do in the scrubbing and brining department—but there's one caveat.

Household bleaches and vinegars are best kept separate since "combining these creates dangerous fumes that can be harmful or even fatal," explains green-cleaning expert Tonya Harris.

The danger lies in the chemical reaction that happens when these two meet.

Most chlorine bleach is made from sodium hypochlorite diluted in water. Vinegar gets its cleaning power from acetic acid. When sodium hypochlorite is mixed with acetic acid (or any acid, for that matter), it creates toxic chlorine gas1.

If you come in contact with chlorine gas, it can severely damage the lungs and cause chemical burns, shortness of breath, and vomiting. It can also be lethal depending on the severity of the exposure.

The gas allegedly smells similar to bleach, but it's slightly more pungent. If you smell something funky after combining cleaners, leave the area and head outside or to a window for some air to be on the safe side.

Adding bleach to a vinegar-based cleaner is never a good idea. At the end of the day, these two categories of cleaners serve different purposes and should be kept separate anyway.

While vinegar is good at removing germs from surfaces, it's not a disinfectant, so it doesn't actually kill these germs. Bleaches, on the other hand, are powerful disinfectants.

"I would also caution against using them together in a small space with no windows, such as a bathroom," Harris adds. "For instance, do not let vinegar-based DIY toilet bowl cleaners sit in the toilet bowl while using the bleach-based cleaner on the toilet seat."

Mixing bleach with other disinfectants can also be dangerous. Ammonia or rubbing alcohol, in particular, can also emit chlorine gas when mixed with bleach.

If you're just looking to refresh surfaces or get rid of greasy buildup, that's where vinegar-based cleaners come in handy. They don't come with as many health concerns and are suitable for many types of materials.

Simply combine vinegar (white or apple cider, but white tends to be more effective) with an abrasive like baking soda for a quick cleaner to clear up bathroom or kitchen drains, refresh washing machines, clean toilets, and more. (Check out 8 DIY recipes that incorporate vinegar here.)

You can customize your vinegar-based cleaning solution with essential oils for a nice scent or add some Castile soap for a more powerful clean.