Most people keep a shelf of cleaners under the sink, and it is easy to grab two bottles at once when a stain or a mess needs fixing fast. Some mixtures release gases that can irritate your lungs, eyes and skin, and a few can make you seriously ill. The dangerous combinations follow clear patterns, so you can learn them once and use that knowledge every day.
Bleach is the big one, since it reacts badly with acids and ammonia. Other pairs are only safe when the label says so, like laundry detergent with baking soda. Read each label, use one product at a time, and rinse between jobs.
137 combinations
The full list
CombinationVerdictWhy
Bleach + VinegarNever mixVinegar is an acid, and acid mixed with bleach gives off toxic chlorine gas.
Baking soda + VinegarSafe but pointlessBaking soda neutralises the vinegar's acid, so the fizz is mostly carbon dioxide and you lose most of the cleaning power of each.
Bleach + FabulosoNever mixFabuloso's maker says not to use any Fabuloso product with chlorine bleach.
Bleach + Dish soapNever mixClorox and the CDC both say not to mix bleach with any other cleaner, and dish soap is a cleaner.
Hydrogen peroxide + VinegarNot in the same containerEach is fine on its own, but mixed together they form peracetic acid, which is corrosive and irritates eyes, skin and lungs.
Bleach + OxiCleanNever mixBoth makers advise against combining them: OxiClean says not to mix it with chlorine bleach, and Clorox says the two bleaches cancel each other out.
Baking soda + BleachOK only as the labels directArm & Hammer directs using ½ cup bleach with ½ cup baking soda in the laundry wash for the same whitening with less bleach odor.
Bleach + Pine-SolNever mixPine-Sol's maker says never to mix it with bleach-containing products, and Pine-Sol is acidic.
Bleach + Hydrogen peroxideNever mixWashington State's health department says bleach reacts with hydrogen peroxide, and Clorox says not to mix bleach with other household chemicals.
Dish soap + VinegarNever mixPoison Control says dish soap should not be mixed with other household products because this can produce dangerous fumes.
Baking soda + Hydrogen peroxideOK only as the labels directClorox's own stain guide mixes ½ cup hydrogen peroxide, ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup water as a pretreat for deodorant stains.
OxiClean + VinegarNever mixOxiClean's maker says it should not be mixed with household chemicals other than detergent in the wash.
Bleach + Laundry detergentOK only as the labels directClorox directs adding bleach with your regular detergent as the washer fills, before adding clothes.
Borax + VinegarOK only as the labels direct20 Mule Team's own carpet-cleaning tip mixes equal parts salt, borax and vinegar into a paste.
Ammonia + VinegarNever mixPoison Control warns that mixing ammonia products with other cleaners is dangerous, and the ammonia maker's safety sheet lists acids such as vinegar as incompatible.
Bleach + BoraxNever mixClorox advises against mixing its bleach with other household chemicals, and no maker statement allowing bleach and borax together was found.
Rubbing alcohol + VinegarNever mixPoison Control's general rule: never mix household cleaning products.
Bleach + LysolNever mixLysol's toilet bowl cleaner label says not to use it with chlorine bleach, and Clorox says not to mix bleach with other household chemicals.
Pine-Sol + VinegarNever mixPine-Sol's maker says Pine-Sol and vinegar should not be mixed.
Laundry detergent + VinegarSafe but pointlessTide and Downy say adding vinegar to the wash with detergent can make the detergent clean worse; neither reports a hazard.
Bleach + Mr. CleanNever mixClorox says not to mix bleach with other household chemicals because toxic fumes could result.
Fabuloso + VinegarNever mixFabuloso's label says not to mix it with other household cleaners, to avoid irritating fumes.
Bleach + Comet / AjaxNever mixComet with Bleach already contains a chlorine bleach ingredient, and its label says not to mix it with other products.
Bleach + Simple GreenNever mixSimple Green says not to mix bleach with any Simple Green product: clean with Simple Green first, then disinfect with bleach afterwards.
Baking soda + Laundry detergentOK only as the labels directArm & Hammer directs adding ½ cup baking soda to the washer with your regular liquid detergent.
Bleach + Toilet bowl cleanerNever mixMany toilet bowl cleaners contain hydrochloric acid, and acid mixed with bleach releases chlorine gas.
Borax + OxiCleanNever mixOxiClean's label says not to mix it with other household chemicals.
Dish soap + Hydrogen peroxideNever mixPoison Control says dish soap should not be mixed with other household products because this can produce dangerous fumes.
Lysol + VinegarNever mixLysol's toilet and bleach cleaners say not to mix them with other chemicals, and vinegar with a bleach-based Lysol product would release chlorine gas.
Ammonia + Baking sodaNever mixThe ammonia maker's safety sheet says not to mix ammonia with other household chemicals, and Poison Control warns against mixing ammonia products with other cleaners.
Fabuloso + Pine-SolNever mixPine-Sol's maker says not to mix any Pine-Sol product with other cleaning products.
Bleach + Rubbing alcoholNever mixBleach and rubbing alcohol can form chloroform, which causes dizziness, nausea and loss of consciousness.
Laundry detergent + OxiCleanOK only as the labels directOxiClean is made to be added to the wash drum with your regular detergent, but not mixed with detergent in the dispenser.
Borax + Hydrogen peroxideNever mixPoison Control's general rule: never mix household cleaning products.
Baking soda + BoraxNever mixPoison Control's general rule: never mix household cleaning products.
Dish soap + FabulosoNever mixFabuloso's label says not to mix it with other household cleaners. Poison Control says dish soap should not be mixed with other household products.
Baking soda + Dish soapNever mixPoison Control says dish soap should not be mixed with other household products because this can produce dangerous fumes.
Baking soda + OxiCleanNever mixOxiClean's label says not to mix it with other household chemicals.
Bleach + Scrubbing BubblesNever mixClorox says not to mix bleach with other household chemicals, and acid-based bathroom or toilet cleaners release chlorine gas with bleach.
Vinegar + WindexNever mixWindex's safety data sheet says not to mix it with bleach or any other household cleaners.
Ammonia + Pine-SolNever mixPine-Sol's maker says not to mix it with other cleaning products, and Poison Control warns against mixing ammonia with other cleaners.
Comet / Ajax + FabulosoNever mixComet with Bleach contains a chlorine bleach ingredient and says not to mix with other products, and Fabuloso says not to use it with chlorine bleach.
Dish soap + Rubbing alcoholNever mixPoison Control says dish soap should not be mixed with other household products because this can produce dangerous fumes.
Fabric softener + Laundry detergentOK only as the labels directDowny is meant to be used with detergent, but poured into the softener dispenser or added in the rinse, not mixed into the detergent.
Comet / Ajax + Dish soapNever mixComet's label says not to mix it with other products.
Ammonia + Hydrogen peroxideNever mixThe ammonia maker's safety sheet says not to mix ammonia with other household chemicals, and Poison Control warns that mixing ammonia products is dangerous.
Dish soap + Pine-SolNever mixPine-Sol's maker says not to mix any Pine-Sol product with other cleaning products.
CLR + VinegarNever mixCLR's maker says not to mix it with other household cleaners or chemicals because toxic fumes may result.
Comet / Ajax + VinegarNever mixComet with Bleach contains a chlorine-releasing ingredient, and acid mixed with chlorine bleach releases chlorine gas.
Baking soda + Rubbing alcoholNever mixPoison Control's general rule: never mix household cleaning products.
Baking soda + Lemon juiceSafe but pointlessBaking soda neutralises acids like lemon juice, so they largely cancel each other out.
Hydrogen peroxide + OxiCleanNever mixOxiClean's maker says it should not be mixed with household chemicals other than detergent in the wash.
Ammonia + Dish soapNever mixPoison Control warns that mixing ammonia-containing products with other cleaners is dangerous.
Bar Keepers Friend + VinegarNever mixBar Keepers Friend's maker says never to mix its products with other cleaners.
Mr. Clean + VinegarNever mixPoison Control's general rule: never mix household cleaning products. Mr. Clean's own safety data sheet names no incompatible products.
Bar Keepers Friend + BleachNever mixBar Keepers Friend is an acid, and its maker warns that mixing it with bleach creates chlorine gas.
Dish soap + OxiCleanNever mixOxiClean's maker says it should not be mixed with household chemicals other than laundry detergent in the wash.
Drain cleaner + VinegarNever mixDrano's safety sheet says not to mix it with acids or any other household products because dangerous gases such as chlorine may be released.
Fabric softener + VinegarNot in the same containerDowny says the fabric-softener compartment is designed to hold only one product at a time per load, so products should not be mixed together there.
Hydrogen peroxide + Laundry detergentOK only as the labels directTide's own stain guide mixes 3 parts hydrogen peroxide with 1 part Tide Ultra Stain Release liquid as a pretreatment.
Baking soda + FabulosoNever mixFabuloso's label says not to mix it with other household cleaners, to avoid irritating fumes.
Ammonia + FabulosoNever mixPoison Control warns that mixing ammonia-containing products with other cleaners is dangerous.
Bleach + Lemon juiceNever mixLemon juice's natural acids react with bleach to release chlorine gas.
Comet / Ajax + Pine-SolNever mixPine-Sol is acidic and Comet with Bleach contains a chlorine-releasing ingredient, and both makers say not to mix their products with others.
Ammonia + Rubbing alcoholNever mixThe ammonia maker's safety sheet says not to mix ammonia with other household chemicals.
Baking soda + Citric acidSafe but pointlessBaking soda neutralises acids like citric acid, so they largely cancel each other out.
Bleach + Citric acidNever mixCitric acid is an acid, and acid mixed with bleach releases toxic chlorine gas.
Bleach + CLRNever mixCLR is acid-based and its maker says never to mix it with bleach because toxic fumes may result.
Bleach + Drain cleanerNever mixHealth officials and Drano's own safety sheet warn that bleach and drain cleaners can release toxic chlorine gas.
Bleach + WindexNever mixOriginal Windex contains ammonia, and bleach plus ammonia forms toxic chloramine gas.
Muriatic acid + VinegarNever mixThe muriatic acid label says not to mix it with any other chemical or household product.
Hydrogen peroxide + Pine-SolNever mixPine-Sol's maker says not to mix any Pine-Sol product with other cleaning products or chemicals.
Baking soda + Pine-SolNever mixPine-Sol's maker says not to mix any Pine-Sol product with other cleaning products or chemicals.
Bleach + Fabric softenerNever mixClorox says not to mix bleach with other household chemicals, and no maker says the two can be combined.
Dish soap + LysolNever mixLysol's toilet bowl and bleach cleaners say not to use them with any other chemical products.
Fabuloso + Laundry detergentNever mixFabuloso's label says not to mix it with other household cleaners, to avoid irritating fumes.
Fabuloso + LysolNever mixLysol's toilet bowl and bleach cleaners say not to use them with any other chemical products.
Laundry detergent + Pine-SolNever mixPine-Sol's maker says not to mix any Pine-Sol product with other cleaning products or chemicals.
Ammonia + BoraxNever mixPoison Control warns that mixing ammonia-containing products with other cleaners is dangerous.
Ammonia + Laundry detergentNever mixPoison Control warns that mixing ammonia-containing products with other cleaners is dangerous.
Ammonia + OxiCleanNever mixPoison Control warns against mixing ammonia products with other cleaners, and OxiClean's maker says not to mix it with household chemicals.
Baking soda + LysolNever mixLysol's toilet bowl and bleach cleaners say not to use them with any other chemical products.
Bar Keepers Friend + Dish soapNever mixBar Keepers Friend's maker says never to mix its products with other cleaners.
Bleach + Washing SodaNever mixClorox says not to mix bleach with other household chemicals, and no maker statement allowing bleach with washing soda was found.
Borax + Dish soapNever mixPoison Control says dish soap should not be mixed with other household products because this can produce dangerous fumes.
Borax + Laundry detergentOK only as the labels direct20 Mule Team directs adding ½ cup borax to the washer drum along with your detergent.
Borax + Washing SodaOK only as the labels directBoth 20 Mule Team and Arm & Hammer give laundry-stripping recipes that combine borax, washing soda and detergent in water.
Baking soda + CLRNever mixCLR's maker says not to mix it with other household chemicals, and its safety sheet lists bases (like baking soda) as incompatible.
Comet / Ajax + LysolNever mixComet's label warns especially against mixing with toilet bowl cleaners, and Lysol's toilet cleaner is hydrochloric acid, which releases chlorine gas with bleach.
Comet / Ajax + Scrubbing BubblesNever mixComet's label says not to mix it with other products, especially toilet bowl cleaners.
Comet / Ajax + Toilet bowl cleanerNever mixComet with Bleach contains a chlorine bleach ingredient, many toilet bowl cleaners are acids, and Comet's label specifically says not to mix with toilet bowl cleaners.
Baking soda + Drain cleanerNever mixDrano's safety sheet says not to mix it with any other household products.
Enzyme cleaner + VinegarNever mixSome enzyme and pet stain removers' makers say not to mix them with vinegar or acidic cleaners, or with other household chemicals.
Fabuloso + Hydrogen peroxideNever mixFabuloso's label says not to mix it with other household cleaners, to avoid irritating fumes.
Fabuloso + Rubbing alcoholNever mixFabuloso's label says not to mix it with other household cleaners, to avoid irritating fumes.
Lysol + Pine-SolNever mixPine-Sol's maker says not to mix any Pine-Sol product with other cleaning products.
Lysol + WindexNever mixWindex's safety data sheet says not to mix it with any other household cleaners, and Windex contains ammonia, which forms chloramine gas with Lysol bleach products.
OxiClean + Pine-SolNever mixBoth makers say not to mix their products with other household chemicals.
Pine-Sol + Rubbing alcoholNever mixPine-Sol's maker says not to mix any Pine-Sol product with other cleaning products or chemicals.
Rubbing alcohol + WindexNever mixWindex's safety data sheet says not to mix it with any other household cleaners.
Scrubbing Bubbles + VinegarNever mixScrubbing Bubbles includes bleach-based products. S.C. Johnson's safety data sheet for Bubbly Bleach Gel says: 'Do not mix with acids or any other household products. May release dangerous gases (chlorine).' Vinegar is an acid.
Simple Green + VinegarNever mixSimple Green's safety data sheet says not to mix it with acids or any other chemical.
Vinegar + Washing SodaNever mixArm & Hammer's Super Washing Soda safety data sheet lists acids as incompatible materials. Vinegar is an acid.
Bleach + Enzyme cleanerNever mixClorox says not to mix bleach with other household chemicals, and enzyme-cleaner makers say not to mix their products with other chemicals.
Baking soda + Fabric softenerNever mixPoison Control's general rule: never mix household cleaning products.
Baking soda + Bar Keepers FriendNever mixBar Keepers Friend's maker says never to mix it with other cleaners, and its safety sheet lists alkaline products like baking soda as incompatible.
Borax + Citric acidNever mixPoison Control's general rule: never mix household cleaning products.
Borax + Pine-SolNever mixPine-Sol's maker says not to mix any Pine-Sol product with other cleaning products or chemicals.
Borax + Rubbing alcoholNever mixPoison Control's general rule: never mix household cleaning products.
Citric acid + Hydrogen peroxideNever mixPoison Control's general rule: never mix household cleaning products.
Baking soda + Comet / AjaxNever mixComet's label says not to mix it with other products.
Comet / Ajax + Hydrogen peroxideNever mixComet's label says not to mix it with other products.
Dish soap + Mr. CleanNever mixPoison Control says dish soap should not be mixed with other household products because this can produce dangerous fumes.
Dish soap + Laundry detergentOK only as the labels directDawn's laundry guide says to pretreat a stain with Dawn Powerwash and then wash the item normally with your laundry detergent. Dish soap is not meant to replace detergent in the machine.
Dish soap + Drain cleanerNever mixDrano's safety sheet says not to mix it with any other household products.
Bleach + Muriatic acidNever mixMuriatic acid is hydrochloric acid, and acid mixed with bleach releases toxic chlorine gas.
Hydrogen peroxide + WindexNever mixWindex's safety data sheet says not to mix it with any other household cleaners.
Ammonia + LysolNever mixPoison Control warns against mixing ammonia with other cleaners, and Lysol bleach products form toxic gas with ammonia.
Hydrogen peroxide + LysolNever mixLysol's toilet bowl and bleach cleaners say not to use them with any other chemical products.
Lysol + Rubbing alcoholNever mixLysol's toilet bowl and bleach cleaners say not to use them with any other chemical products.
Lysol + Scrubbing BubblesNever mixLysol's toilet bowl and bleach cleaners say not to use them with any other chemical products.
Lysol + Toilet bowl cleanerNever mixToilet bowl cleaners may be acid- or bleach-based, and Lysol's own toilet cleaners say not to use them with any other chemical products.
Fabuloso + Mr. CleanNever mixFabuloso's label says not to mix it with other household cleaners, to avoid irritating fumes.
Lysol + Mr. CleanNever mixLysol's toilet bowl and bleach cleaners say not to use them with any other chemical products.
Fabuloso + OxiCleanNever mixOxiClean's maker says it should not be mixed with household chemicals other than detergent in the wash.
Lysol + OxiCleanNever mixBoth makers say not to mix their products with other chemicals.
OxiClean + Rubbing alcoholNever mixOxiClean's maker says it should not be mixed with household chemicals other than detergent in the wash.
OxiClean + Washing SodaNever mixOxiClean's label says not to mix it with other household chemicals.
Mr. Clean + Pine-SolNever mixPine-Sol's maker says not to mix any Pine-Sol product with other cleaning products.
Pine-Sol + WindexNever mixBoth makers say not to mix their products with other cleaners; Pine-Sol's FAQ answers this for glass cleaners specifically.
Laundry detergent + Rubbing alcoholNever mixPoison Control's general rule: never mix household cleaning products.
Dish soap + Simple GreenNever mixSimple Green's safety data sheet says not to mix it with any other chemical.
Baking soda + Toilet bowl cleanerNever mixToilet bowl cleaner labels say not to use them with any other chemical or household product.
Toilet bowl cleaner + VinegarNever mixBleach-based toilet bowl cleaners release chlorine gas with acids like vinegar, and toilet cleaner labels say not to mix them with other chemicals.
Baking soda + Washing SodaSafeArm & Hammer, which makes both, gives a DIY laundry-soap recipe of grated laundry bar soap + 2 cups Super Washing Soda + 1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Baking Soda.
Hydrogen peroxide + Washing SodaNever mixPoison Control's general rule: never mix household cleaning products.
Why Mixing Cleaners Is Dangerous
Cleaning products contain strong ingredients, and many of them react with each other when they meet. The reactions can release chlorine gas, chloramine gas, or fumes that irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs. Poison Control advises never mixing household cleaning products, because combinations can give off poisonous fumes.
The Worst Combinations
Bleach should never meet vinegar, lemon juice, citric acid, or any other acid, because acid and bleach release chlorine gas. Bleach and ammonia form toxic chloramine gas, and bleach with rubbing alcohol can form chloroform, which causes dizziness, nausea and loss of consciousness.
Other pairs are dangerous mainly because of the fumes they can give off, even when no specific reaction is named. Ammonia with vinegar, dish soap with vinegar, and dish soap with hydrogen peroxide all fall into that group.
Acidic toilet bowl cleaners and drain cleaners also release chlorine gas when they meet bleach, so keep them apart. OxiClean should not be mixed with other household chemicals either, and its solutions can build up pressure and burst a sealed container.
Pairs That Are Fine Only as the Label Directs
Baking soda can go into the washer with your regular liquid detergent, as the baking soda maker directs. Bleach can also be added with your regular detergent as the washer fills, before the clothes go in. Nothing harmful is reported when either is used this way.
The baking soda maker also directs half a cup of bleach with half a cup of baking soda in the laundry wash for whitening with less bleach odor. A stain pretreatment can use three parts hydrogen peroxide to one part stain-release liquid, but test it on a hidden area first.
Dish soap can pretreat a stain before a normal wash, but it should not replace laundry detergent. Fabric softener belongs in its own dispenser or the rinse, not mixed into the detergent.
What to Do If You Already Mixed Products
Stop, and add nothing else. Leave the area for fresh air, open the windows, and keep children and pets away from it.
Don't use, store or seal the mixture, and avoid breathing the fumes or touching it. Once the area is ventilated, rinse it away with plenty of water.
Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone feels unwell, has swallowed the mixture, or has eye or throat irritation. Call 911 right away if anyone has trouble breathing.
Safe Habits for Everyday Cleaning
Use one product at a time, and rinse the surface or the washer before you switch to another cleaner. Rinsing in between keeps leftover residue from meeting the next cleaner.
Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar are each fine on their own, but mixed together they form peracetic acid, so keep them separate. Dish soap also belongs on its own, since Poison Control warns it can produce dangerous fumes with other household products.
Read the label before you combine anything. When a label says not to mix a product with other chemicals, treat that warning as the final word.
Questions
Can you mix baking soda and laundry detergent?
Yes, but only as the label directs. The baking soda maker says to add half a cup of baking soda to the washer with your regular liquid detergent. Nothing harmful is reported when it is used that way.
Can you mix Borax and OxiClean?
No. The OxiClean label says not to mix it with other household chemicals, and its solutions can build up pressure and burst a sealed container. Use each product on its own, one job at a time.
Can you mix dish soap and hydrogen peroxide?
No. Poison Control says dish soap should not be mixed with other household products because it can produce dangerous fumes. Use one, rinse it away, and only then use the other.
Is it safe to mix bleach and ammonia?
No. Bleach mixed with ammonia releases toxic chloramine gas. Symptoms can include coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath and wheezing, so get fresh air and call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if they appear.
Can you mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide?
Not in the same container. Each is fine on its own, but mixed together they form peracetic acid, which is corrosive and irritates the eyes, skin and lungs. Use them one after the other, with a rinse in between.
Is baking soda and vinegar a good cleaning combo?
It is safe but pointless. Baking soda neutralizes the vinegar's acid, so the fizz is mostly carbon dioxide and most of the cleaning power of each is lost.
Can you mix laundry detergent and vinegar?
It is safe, but it can make your detergent clean worse, especially on food stains. Detergent makers report no hazard, so the cost is weaker cleaning.
Can you use dish soap instead of laundry detergent?
Use dish soap only to pretreat a stain, then wash the item normally with your laundry detergent. Dish soap used in place of detergent can make suds overflow the washing machine.
Related guides
Can You Mix Bleach and Vinegar?Can You Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar?Can You Mix Bleach and Fabuloso?Can You Mix Bleach and Dish Soap?Can You Mix Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar?Can You Mix Bleach and OxiClean?Can You Mix Baking Soda and Bleach?Can You Mix Bleach and Pine-Sol?Can You Mix Bleach and Hydrogen Peroxide?Can You Mix Dish Soap and Vinegar?
Sources
Every verdict, amount and warning here comes from these sources.