Storage of cleaning products in the home
Cleaning products and accessories are an essential part of any home. We buy and use cleaning products to create a clean, fragrant and hygienic environment for ourselves and our household members.
However, many people forget the importance of proper storage, not only to keep things tidy, but also to protect themselves from potential hazards and increase the effectiveness of cleaning products.
Safety first
Cleaning chemicals contain a variety of substances that can do a lot of damage if used improperly. For example, dishwashing detergent packed in an airtight container poses little danger. On the other hand, curtain bleach, which is so easy to unscrew, is very dangerous due to its harmful fumes.
Find a safe place
Cleaning products should be kept hidden. Not only because the packaging does not add to the attractiveness of the home's decor, but especially for safety reasons. For this reason, if you have children, it's a good idea to provide extra security for areas where chemicals are stored. Pet owners should also pay special attention to the safe storage of cleaning products at home.
Ideally, chemicals should be stored in a closed, ventilated room. However, if your home does not have such conditions, a lockable cabinet with a key or padlock is a good solution.
A cabinet in the hallway or bathroom seems the ideal place for cleaning products. However, keep in mind that chemicals also give off different types of fumes. Therefore, you should regularly (at least once a week) ventilate the room where they are stored. In addition, you can buy a plastic container, preferably with a lid. This will prevent detergents from falling, spilling and hurting children or animals.
Pay attention to expiration dates
Storing expired cleaning products can be very dangerous. When a product is expired, some substances can react with each other and turn into dangerous chemical cocktails. For this reason, it's a good idea to check the condition of cleaning products from time to time and get rid of those whose expiration date has passed.
Packaging
Avoid using chemical cleaning product packaging for other purposes. Harmful substances settle deeper than they appear. Therefore, it is not enough to rinse a bottle with water before reusing it.
It is also a bad idea to pour or pour chemicals into packaging that was previously used to store food. Children attracted by colorful packaging can be seriously poisoned, as can adults who mix up packages. It only takes a moment of inattention not to realize that instead of juice we are drinking corrosive substances
Practical storage
Clutter is also the enemy of cleaning! Regularly searching for spare sponges, glass cleaner or fresh cloths is a waste of time and energy. If you have to look for everything for hours each time before cleaning, you will quickly lose your already low desire to clean your home. That's why you should keep all your cleaning products and small accessories in one place.
You can take the example of professionals: In large areas, cleaning companies use special cleaning carts. First of all, in order not to leave a bottle of chemicals somewhere, but also in order to clean efficiently. Few households need such a cleaning cart, but you can create something similar in your home to achieve the same goal. Store your most commonly used cleaning products, cloths and sponges in a bowl, container or basket that you can carry with you while cleaning.
A neat and orderly corner for cleaning supplies and equipment will also come in handy when making your next shopping list. At a glance, you can see at a glance what products you need for your next visit to the store.
A tidy cabinet for cleaning products
It's also important to keep your cleaning cabinet organized, which will not only save you time, but also help you keep track of what cleaning products you still have in stock. First and foremost, throw away any cleaning products that have passed their expiration date or whose packaging is damaged. When disposing of them, follow the instructions so that you don't harm the environment or hurt yourself with chemicals. Next, you can sort cleaning products in different ways, depending on which is more practical for you. On the one hand, you can sort by product type. This means sorting products by category, such as sponges, cloths, all-purpose cleaners, hygiene products, upholstery cleaners, etc. You can also prepare boxes for specific purposes. You gather all the cleaning products and sponges you need for kitchen cleaning in one box, and bathroom cleaners in another. You can also use them for other purposes, such as cleaning upholstered furniture and carpets or cleaning windows. This way you have everything you need on hand on cleaning day.
For sorting cleaning products, it is recommended to use transparent boxes. This way you can divide the cabinet into different compartments, immediately see what cleaning products are in the cabinet and transport them collected in the right box to the right room for cleaning. You can also label the boxes with a higher-level category for their contents.
Do your cleaning products give off a chemical smell even when closed? Then storage boxes that can be hermetically sealed with a lid can help. This will also prolong the effectiveness of the cleaning products.
Effectiveness
Proper storage of cleaning products is not only a household safety issue. It is also a guarantee that they will work effectively from the first use to the last. Cleaning products are not cheap and are designed to last as long as possible. Therefore, they should always be stored according to the following criteria:
- Appropriate temperature (from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius).
- Storage in undamaged original packaging
- Protected from external conditions such as sunlight, humidity or high temperatures
The best rule for the effective use of chemical cleaners, in addition to proper storage, is, of course, to follow the instructions on the package labels. This will ensure safety and reduce the likelihood of premature product expiration.
