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Can I Mix Bleach and Vinegar?

Check whether two cleaning products are safe to use together, and work out how much bleach to add to water.

Already mixed them?

  1. Leave the room and get to fresh air.
  2. Open windows if you can do it quickly, and don’t touch the mixture.
  3. Trouble breathing: call 911. Other symptoms or questions: Poison Help 1-800-222-1222.

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Bleach dilution (CDC)

Measure water in

Example: 1

The sodium hypochlorite % on the label. Most household bleach is 5–9%.

Use bleach on its own

Combinations that public health agencies warn about are marked Dangerous. Any other combination with bleach, and pairs we found no source for, are marked Don’t mix; we never call a mix safe without a source.

  • Bleach plus any acid (vinegar, citric acid, many toilet cleaners): chlorine gas.
  • Bleach plus ammonia: chloramine gas.
  • Bleach plus rubbing alcohol: chloroform.
  • Hydrogen peroxide plus vinegar: peracetic acid.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if you mix bleach and vinegar?

It gives off chlorine gas. Even small amounts irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and larger exposures can damage the lungs. Never mix them.

Is bleach and ammonia really dangerous?

Yes. Together they form chloramine gas, which causes coughing, shortness of breath and chest pain. Some glass cleaners contain ammonia, so check labels.

How much bleach do I add to water to disinfect?

If the bottle has no directions, the CDC recipe is 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of room-temperature water, or 4 teaspoons per quart, using 5–9% household bleach.

I already mixed them and smell fumes. What now?

Leave the area and get to fresh air right away. Open windows only if you can do so quickly, and don’t touch the mixture. If you have trouble breathing, call 911; for other questions, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.

Sources and last updated

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