A warning has been issued to homeowners over the combination of two every day cleaning products which could create toxic gas.
Bleach and vinegar are routinely used in households to keep bathrooms and kitchens sparkling clean.
Mirror Online reports that many people are apparently unaware that combining both chemicals could have potentially fatal results, however.
Australian consumer advocacy group CHOICE issued the warning to consumers.
They said: “Warning: Never mix bleach and vinegar together – it creates toxic chlorine gas.”
If you do accidentally mix the products together, it says you should immediately leave the area and try and breathe in some fresh air.
Also change and wash any clothes that have been contaminated.
You may notice irritation of your nose, mouth, and throat.
Bleach is made of diluted sodium hypochlorite while vinegar is a diluted form of acetic acid, reports OK! Magazine.
Inhaling a small amount of this will irritate your throat, nose and eye while a large dose of this gas has the potential to kill.
“Unlike some other dangerous chemicals like carbon monoxide, chlorine gives off a distinctly pungent and irritating odor," it says on Healthline.com.
"If you notice a strong smell after mixing cleaners, it’s a good idea to immediately leave the area.
“The severity of symptoms you develop after breathing in chlorine gas depends on how concentrated it is, measured in parts per million (ppm), and how long you inhale it.”
