Safety Tips for Using Home Cleaning Products

Home cleaning products, both homemade or commercial, should be handled with care in your home. After all, they all contain chemical and ingredients which could react with one another in bad ways, not to mention many of them are not good for family members or pets to ingest or inhale too many fumes.

Therefore, below are four (4) safety tips for your home cleaning products, to keep your home both safe and clean, at the same time.

1. Read the Label (Including The Fine Print)

Another way to say this rule is to "use as directed." The cleaning product's label will tell you how to use it safely and effectively. Follow those directions.

It is important to pay attention to the following portions of the directions, in particular:

• What types of items do the directions say you can use the cleaning product on?
• What items the product specifically warns you not to use it on?
• Amount of the product to use?
• How long to apply the product (or how quickly to remove the product)?

 2. Do Not Mix Cleaning Products Together

Mixing cleaning products can create dangerous and poisonous fumes. This is true for homemade cleaning products as well. For instance, do not mix chlorine bleach with either vinegar or ammonia. If you do it will create a poisonous gas.

3. Store Your Cleaning Products Safely

Keep your cleaning products away from children and pets because many of them are dangerous if ingested or if they come into prolonged contact with skin or any contact with eyes.

Here are some safety tips to follow regarding safe storage of your cleaning supplies:

• Keep the products in their original containers, so you know what they are and when the expire.
• If you need to dilute a cleaning product, or you make homemade cleaning products, be sure to label and date your containers.
• Keep your household cleaners away from food storage areas. You do not want to get cleaners and food mixed up or combined in any way.
• Store your household cleaners in a cool, dry place.

 4. Dispose of Your Home Cleaning Products Properly

When you finish with a cleaning product you need to make sure you dispose of it properly. Many times, the label itself will explain any specific rules for disposal. Follow them (see Rule 1 above).

Other considerations when disposing of cleaning products properly are as follows:

• Keep even empty bottles and containers away from kids and pets, so they cannot get into them. Consider putting them into a closed garbage bag or can, instead of an open wastebasket in your home.
• Do not flush disposable cleaning wipes down the toilet.
• Do not pour cleaning products down your sink drain or into the toilet.

What's Your Favourite Cleaning Supplies, Products or Equipment, tell us what it is and why you can't live without it.

Let us know in the comment section.