It can be tempting to mix cleaning products together in hopes of making them work harder or last longer — but that shortcut can do more harm than good. As a professional cleaning supplies company in Calgary, Clean Spot always recommends using one cleaner per surface at a time.
Mixing cleaning chemicals can create dangerous reactions, release harmful fumes, or damage surfaces, especially when people aren’t aware of what not to mix with glass cleaner. When it comes to safety and results, sticking to the right product for the job is always the smarter (and safer) move.
What Not to Mix With Glass Cleaner
We’re focusing on glass cleaning products for a reason. When people search for what not to mix with glass cleaner, the advice is often vague — usually warning against mixing bleach with other products. What many don’t realize is that cleaning chemicals in glass cleaners often contain ammonia, which can be dangerous when combined with other cleaners. This is why reading product labels is so important before mixing or using multiple cleaners on the same surface.
When buying window cleaning products in Calgary, take a look at the label, and you’ll typically find:
- Ammonia
- Ammonium
- Chlorine
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Butoxyethanol
- Monoethanolamine
- Perchloroethylene
Ammonia-free glass cleaning products are available. Both are effective at window cleaning – it all depends on your preference.
Don’t Mix Glass Cleaning Products With Bleach
In fact, never mix any products that contain ammonia with bleach. A toxic gas called chloramine is produced when bleach and ammonia are mixed together. Exposure to chloramine can lead to the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Coughing and wheezing
- Throat, nose, and eye irritation
- Fluid in the lungs
What Happens When You Mix Glass Cleaning Products With Vinegar?
Vinegar is a very popular and effective cleaning chemical, and because of this, it’s easy to think that mixing vinegar with a glass-cleaning product makes for an even more powerful clean. The good news is that there is no real danger in mixing glass-cleaning chemicals containing ammonia with vinegar. However, note that vinegar is acidic and ammonia is basic. When mixed together, they cancel each other out and remove their cleaning properties. You’ll basically be creating a saltwater solution that’s not cleaning your windows at all.
It’s best to avoid combining cleaning chemicals. Commercial products are designed to be potent and powerful enough to clean all types of surfaces in facilities effectively.
Safe Cleaning Starts With Clean Spot!
When it comes to using cleaning chemicals, safety should always come first. Knowing what not to mix with glass cleaner and using the right product for each surface helps protect your team, your space, and the people in it.
Clean Spot offers a wide selection of professional-grade cleaning chemicals designed to be used safely and effectively — without the guesswork. We also offer free shipping on orders over $150, along with 24–48 hour targeted shipping.
