DIY cleaners are a great way to save money and be confident in knowing what’s in those products that make your house squeaky clean. But before you rush out and buy all the things, make sure you aren’t mixing these ingredients together! Some mixtures are a hazard to your health while some can actually neutralize your cleaning! Read on so you don’t waste your time (or hurt yourself!)
1. Hydrogen Peroxide & Vinegar
This combination is a big no no. When mixed together in a bottle, it creates peracetic acid. This can not only damage the surfaces you’re cleaning, but it can also cause bodily harm like skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. However, you can use them individually on the same surface. Just never combine them in the same bottle.
2. Baking Soda & Vinegar
It’s true that this combo will bubble like nobody’s business, but those bubbles are actually not doing ANYTHING! When you mix these ingredients together, they cancel each other out, so you’re basically cleaning with a solution of water and a tiny bit of salt. All that scrubbing with no actual cleaning! Don’t waste your time mixing this one.
3. Castile Soap & Vinegar
Both of these ingredients are amazing, versatile cleaners on their own. Have you ever thought of mixing them to combine their amazing cleaning powers? Don’t! When they mix together, they create a reaction that breaks down the castile soap to its base oils. This means that you will be cleaning with literal gunk!
4. Vinegar & Water (For those who have hardwood floors)
This one won’t apply to everyone, but if you have hardwood floors, listen up! It’s not dangerous to mix, but the acid in the vinegar can damage the finish on the floor, making it appear dull and lifeless. The mixture is also mostly water, which is great for a lot of surfaces, but can cause moisture damage to those beautiful beams.
DIY cleaners are a great (and fun!) way to save some money on cleaning products. We definitely have a bunch on our cleaning carts! Just be careful when creating. Have you come across any other ingredients that shouldn’t be mixed? Let us know below!
XOXO,
Your Squeaky Green Team