Whether it was accidental or thought that a concoction of Lysol and bleach would work out some more incredible magic in cleaning stubborn stains, the result is never a good one. That’s why you must know how to respond if you accidentally mix Lysol and bleach.
If you mixed Lysol with bleach, consider doing the following:
- Aerate the room
- Dilute the mixture in an open area
- Seek medical attention
- Call emergency services in severe cases
Of course, the way to respond depends on everything surrounding the situation. But with proper knowledge, you can avoid or at least mitigate the consequences of the accidental mixing of Lysol and bleach.
In this article, we’ll uncover all there’s to know about the aftermath of mixing Lysol and bleach. So, whether you’re in that situation or just curious to learn, there’s much to take away from here. But of course, first things first!
What Is Lysol?
Lysol is a brand of cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing products. It’s used in homes as well as businesses for sanitization purposes.
Now, Lysol products have different active ingredients depending on their variations. But, the active ingredient in most Lysol products is a chemical called Benzalkonium Chloride. This chemical actively works to kill bacteria and other germs in the environment.
Other examples of active products include:
- Ethanol
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Citric Acid
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Potassium hydroxide
- Alkyl and more
The variation in active ingredients across different Lysol products is to help Lysol products perform different purposes.
What is Bleach?
Bleach is a chemical compound used to disinfect, clean, and deodorize materials. The active ingredient in bleach is sodium hypochlorite, a very strong oxidizing agent.
Usually, manufacturers produce bleach by combining powdered sodium hypochlorite with water. The strength of the bleach depends on the concentration of the sodium hypochlorite compound in the solution, with most bleach solutions containing somewhere between 3 and 8%.
It’s essential to understand that bleach is a strong solution that can damage surfaces if used wrongly or in high concentrations.
Lysol vs. Bleach: Which is Better?
Whether Lysol is better than bleach or vice versa depends on the purpose you’re using it for. Lysol products are excellent at killing germs and bacteria without leaving a strong chemical smell. But bleach is more suited for deodorizing and discoloring surfaces, as it’s more potent than Lysol.
Additionally, bleach is more suitable for removing tough stains that Lysol may be unable to remove. That’s because, as we’ve already said, the sodium hypochlorite content in bleach is much stronger and more effective at oxidizing materials than the active ingredients in Lysol products.
So, the question of which is better really depends on the purpose.
Is Mixing Lysol and Bleach Dangerous and Why?
Yes, mixing Lysol and bleach is dangerous. Lysol and bleach create a toxic chlorine gas that may cause a burning sensation in the nose, wheezing, chest pain, coughing, and even death if the amount of chlorine gas inhaled is too much for extended periods.
We all love the magic power behind chemical compounds like Lysol and bleach. In fact, that’s apparently the reason why these products a becoming a staple acquisition in most households.
But then, don’t get carried away by the common saying, “two are better than one”. When talking about bleach and Lysol, their ingredients don’t go along well with each other – forget how close to each other they sit on the shelf!
Mixing these two products leads to the production of chlorine gas, one of the deadliest gasses on the planet. In fact, Chlorine is too dangerous that even slight exposure to it can leave you with some complications.
Usually, the effects depend on the concentration and duration of exposure. But in most cases, mixing Lysol and bleach can cause coughing, chest pain, wheezing, difficulty breathing, oesophageal perforation, watery eyes, nausea, and more.
In heavy exposure, say 400 ppm, death is imminent if the person is not immediately taken to a safe environment and provided with proper care. Of course, concentrations above 400 ppm can only make things happen faster!
So, just never entertain the mere thought of combining Lysol and bleach, regardless of the purpose! If you must use the two for whatever reason, thoroughly rinse the surface with clean water before applying the other product.
Can I Mix Lysol And Vinegar?
Again, never mix Lysol with vinegar. The acetic acid in the vinegar will react with the sodium hypochlorite in Lysol to create chlorine and chloramine gasses, which can be very dangerous. Always use each product separately and not in combination with the other.
Like bleach, never mix vinegar with Lysol. It may look as though the combo may produce a more effective cleaning solution, but the truth is that it’ll be extremely dangerous to your health and well-being.
So, if you have the two products in your home, it’s best to use them separately. That way, you’ll get the most out of each and, more importantly, reduce the risk of creating chemical reactions that could potentially be fatal.
Can I Mix Lysol And Clorox?
No, you should never mix Lysol and Clorox. Most Clorox products are bleach-based. So, they contain sodium hypochlorite, the same active ingredient in Lysol. Hence, mixing the two creates a dangerous chlorine gas emission, which can be lethal.
Besides bleach and vinegar, Clorox is another common household product you should never bring close to Lysol. Some Clorox products use sodium hypochlorite as the active agent, the same active ingredient in bleach.
Put the two together and you get a deadly combination of gas emission – not something you want to be around!
As for the non-bleach Clorox products, they come with hydrogen peroxide as the substitute product for sodium hypochlorite. Again, this doesn’t mix with Lysol and can create a toxic emission of Chlorine that’s not the friendliest to your health.
What Happens If You Inhale Lysol Fumes?
Lysol fumes aren’t as dangerous as Chlorine gas, but they can still cause mild irritation and complications, especially when using the product in poorly-ventilated areas. Usually, the symptoms will wear off after some time, but the best way to avoid any harm is to use Lysol in well-ventilated rooms and areas.
You see, you don’t have to mix Lysol with another product for you to get fumes. If you can smell the product, that’s a sign you’re already picking up some fumes in your nose. The “smell particles” are actually part of the fumes.
Now, usually, Lysol fumes will not cause any effect if using the product in well-aerated rooms, but in poorly-ventilated areas, they can irritate the eyes, throat, and nose. But again, these symptoms will wear off after some time, so don’t worry too much if you’ve been exposed to Lysol fumes.
But if you’re asthmatic or your body has a low tolerance for Lysol, get in touch with your doctor and explain the situation. They’ll take the necessary steps to help you out. And, of course, it would be better to avoid exposure to Lysol fumes altogether after that.
What To Do If You Are Exposed To The Solution of Lysol And Bleach?
If exposed to Lysol and bleach, open all windows and doors, dilute the mixture with plenty of water, and seek medical attention immediately if any symptoms develop. The exposure can be detrimental to your well-being, but with proper care and attention, you can avoid any serious consequences.
Let’s take a deeper look at each of the response steps:
Aerate The Room
Immediately you notice that you’ve messed up, the first thing to do is to aerate the room. Open all windows and doors and let fresh air enter your house. Doing this will help reduce the intensity of the fumes and help you breathe better.
Dilute The Mixture
If possible, carry the mix outside and dilute it with a lot of water. This will help reduce the mixture’s potency, thus reducing its effects on your body. Of course, you must be on your facemask by this time and avoid getting any mix on your skin or the mask.
If you mixed the two products in your toilet bowl, shut the toilet lid and then hit the flush button. Do multiple flushes for about an hour when keeping the lid closed. Once complete, open the lid and ventilate the room again.
In case your skin or clothes were exposed to the mix, quickly take them off and soak them in a basin in an open area. Then, take a shower and ensure to rinse off properly.
Seek Medical Attention
If you notice any symptoms developing, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. Explain the situation and inform your doctor of any signs you’re feeling – such as chest tightness, coughing, or nausea.
In case you have to drive to see a doctor, ensure that you do so with all the windows of the car open to reduce the intensity of the fumes.
Of course, if the symptoms are quite severe, stay off the wheel and have someone take you to the doctor. As aforesaid, chlorine gas can cause blurred vision, so don’t risk it.
The doctor will treat the symptoms and provide you with medication to reduce any of its effects- and that’s it.
Call Emergency Services
Call emergency services if you feel that the situation is out of control. They will be able to help and manage the situation better than anyone else.
You can always get someone to do it on your behalf if your situation doesn’t allow it. The emergency response team will try to stabilize the situation, and they’ll provide you with the best advice.
Conclusion
Lysol and bleach are undoubtedly two household products that are a favorite amongst modern-day homemakers. They come in handy in various ways and can be really helpful in cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing.
However, they should never be mixed together as this could release dangerous fumes that can cause serious health complications. If accidentally mixed, it is important to aerate the room, dilute the mixture with water, and seek medical attention if any symptoms develop.
With proper care and attention, you can avoid serious complications caused by the accidental mix of Lysol and bleach.