Safe Use of Chemicals Using Cleaning Chemicals

Many of us use cleaning fluids on a regular basis at work and at home and perhaps we don't give too much thought to the chemicals that are actually contacting with our skin.

Lets consider what type of chemicals are likely to be in cleaning fluids, especially commercial use products.

Most are intended to eat away at one type of soil or another and to do this they often need to be of a corrosive nature. Corrosive liquids are either alkaline or acidic and will alter the state of organic material including human flesh. Sure the strength of the fluid has an effect on the amount of immediate damage to your skin or perhaps eyes but repetitive use is also a real factor.

Suitable length gloves are a simple answer for protection from most regular chemical contacts. If your skin has an allergic reaction to the latex in rubber gloves you will find gloves made from Vinyl or Nitrile a better option. Nitrile gloves are usually not the cheapest option but they are impervious to a very wide range of chemicals and can be purchased in a firm fit if more dexterity is required. Vinyl gloves are not expensive at all and can be purchased lightly powdered or not powdered.

Keep a pair of goggles handy for your eyes if there is any chance of a splash particularly when decanting or diluting concentrates. Also when working above your head.

Mixing cleaning chemicals

Some cleaners will say they mix one cleaning fluid with another to produce some super duper new cleaner that they swear by.

Unless you are a chemist we strongly recommend you don't this. If your current cleaning fluids are not performing as you would like, then may we suggest you talk to your local supplier about alternative products.

Cleaning fluids when mixed together can produce an extremely volatile reaction. One mix that should be especially avoided either by design or by accident is the mixing of Bleach with any product that contains Ammonia (or vice versa). The immediate reaction will be Chlorine gas, which is extremely dangerous to humans, as you probably know.

Mixing by accident can easily take place when disposing of used cleaning solutions. For example emptying a mop bucket of ammonia based floor cleaner into a sink that has just contained a bleach-based product. It is good practice to flush plenty of fresh water between and after disposals.