Harm Yourself With These 5 Dangerous But Useful Cleaning Products

Chlorine gas was used for chemical warfare during World War I. You can make it easily in your own home by accidentally combining chlorine and ammonia in a misguided effort to boost cleaning power. Aren’t you clever?

Here are 5 ordinary household cleaners that Consumer Reports says should be handled with care:

  • Undiluted ammonia can burn skin on contact. Do not mix with products that contain chlorine bleach–it makes a poisonous gas.
  • Undiluted chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is very irritating to eyes and lungs.
  • Drain, metal, and oven cleaners with sodium hydroxide (lye) can burn eyes, nose, and throat tissue on contact.
  • Toilet bowl cleaners with hydrochloric acid can cause serious eye damage and skin burns.
  • Furniture and floor polishes, and glass cleaners with naptha can cause headaches and nausea.

Our frugal cousins at CR have also provided an extensive list of non-toxic alternative cleaners that you can mix up yourself. Vinegar, is there anything you can’t do?

How to make your own (less-toxic) household cleaners [Consumer Reports]
Five everyday cleaning products that can cause you harm [Consumer Reports]

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