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ProfessorGAC

(75,018 posts)
5. It's Good Advice
Tue Oct 28, 2025, 09:44 PM
Tuesday

Another issue with chloramine can, under the right conditions, detonate. It's more than a health risk.
The formation of chloroform, while accurate, is a bit less concerning because chloroform is both insoluble in & denser than water, so a buffer layer of water provides some protection. Still unwise, because even without the reaction concerns, mixing the 2 doesn't really make an effective cleaner. It's a complete waste of time.
The peracetic acid concern is misplaced. Household peroxide is far too dilute, and so is the acetic acid in vinegar.
The reaction becomes concentration limited, plus at low concentrations the reaction requires a strong acid to initiate/catalyze the reaction.
While non-knowledgeable people shouldn't mess with peracetic acid, (yes, I've used it and other organic peracids) this is extremely unlikely (read as nearly impossible) to occur using standard household products.
The bleach & vinegar is a valid concern, though the low concentrations of acetic & hypochlorite in these household products is awfully low, hence only a tiny amount of Cl2 gas is formed. But, a little chlorine is a lot without appropriate PPE.
IOW, they shouldn't be mixed even though it's not an aggressive reaction.

Recommendations

3 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

"I learned this from my grandma" social media posts. KentuckyWoman Tuesday #1
Also don't mix liquid and powder drain cleaners EdmondDantes_ Tuesday #2
Depends On Which Types ProfessorGAC Tuesday #3
Excellent advice! Important to heed it lastlib Tuesday #4
It's Good Advice ProfessorGAC Tuesday #5
I once had to go to the ER after creating chlorine gas. I forgot I had put bleach in a toilet and added a bowl cleaner, sinkingfeeling Tuesday #6
Thanks for posting this. boonecreek Tuesday #7
One of my college friends and co-workers made the mistake of creating ammonia gas Jack Valentino Tuesday #8
I think it was called Mustard Gas then nilram Tuesday #12
No, mustard gas and ammonia gas were two different things... Jack Valentino Wednesday #14
Ah, yes, somewhat more complex to make nilram Wednesday #19
Basically. RTFL Old Crank Tuesday #9
Well, we were all anxious to close the store and head to home Jack Valentino Wednesday #15
When I was young Old Crank Wednesday #20
Thank you Grumpy Old Woman Tuesday #10
When we were teenagers (parents out for the day) my brother and I were messing around, Ocelot II Tuesday #11
Mixed feelings about this post. Info that could save lives, but . . . tclambert Tuesday #13
I don't own guns, so this fills out a few gaps in my Ilsa Wednesday #16
Sulfur product and toilet bowl cleaner deadly H2S crimycarny Wednesday #17
Thanks for posting this!! Talitha Wednesday #18
Interestingly important info to help B.See Wednesday #21
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