Cleaning guides / Routines
The basic cleaning kit, and how to use it safely
Fewer products, used correctly, and the combinations you must never mix.
You don't need a cabinet full of specialist products. A small kit covers almost everything, and knowing which products not to combine keeps everyone safe.
A simple kit
- All-purpose cleaner
- Dish soap
- A disinfectant registered with the EPA, for when you need to disinfect
- Glass cleaner, or water with a little vinegar for glass
- Baking soda for gentle scrubbing
- Microfiber cloths, a soft scrub brush, a toilet brush, a vacuum and a mop
Never mix
- Bleach and ammonia (creates toxic chloramine gas)
- Bleach and vinegar or other acids (releases chlorine gas)
- Bleach and rubbing alcohol
- Different drain cleaners
Use them well
- Read the label, including how long a disinfectant must stay wet to work
- Ventilate: open a window or run the exhaust fan
- Store products in their original containers, out of reach of children and pets
- Clean before you disinfect; dirt blocks disinfectants
General cleaning information. Read product labels, test in a hidden spot first, and never mix bleach with ammonia or acids. Household Service Masters isn't paid by any product brand.