Doorknobs, bannisters, faucets and light switches – all high-touch areas we didn’t usually give a second thought and are now cleaning diligently. Along with kitchens and bathrooms, any surfaces or electronics that our hands touch with regularity have now come under scrutiny. Keeping things clean and disinfected is commonplace, but it’s now of even greater importance to our health. Luckily, there is an arsenal of household chemicals and cleaners available to help us with this task. The most tried-and-true disinfectant found in most households is bleach. According to the National Center for Biotechnical Information (NCBI), the active ingredient in bleach, sodium hypochlorite, is effective in killing bacteria, fungi and viruses, including influenza virus and Covid-19. It can be used alone at full or diluted strength to clean most hard surfaces. If you look at the labels of your other home cleaning products, you may be surprised by how many contain bleach. Other chemicals such as ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, and more natural items, such as vinegar and baking soda, make for great cleaners and disinfectants for a variety of surfaces. However, some of these chemicals, if mixed, would have serious consequences to our health. These are the top three chemical combinations that could prove deadly, and are never to be mixed: Besides keeping these chemicals separate from each other, the CDC recommends wearing gloves while cleaning with these products, as well as making sure the room they are used in is well ventilated. The EPA gives recommendations on safe home chemical storage: away from children, preferably in a high, locked cabinet. It is of utmost importance that we keep ourselves safe and healthy while using the very chemicals designed to keep us that way! **If you need help for a poison emergency, call U.S. Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or use their online diagnostic tool here.