Why You Shouldn't Mix Bleach with Alcohol or Acetone

Mixing chemicals can be a bad idea, particularly if one of the chemicals is bleach. You may be aware household bleach gives off dangerous fumes when mixed with bases, such as ammonia, and acids, such as vinegar, but did you know it's also risky to mix it with alcohol? Bleach reacts with alcohol to form chloroform, a chemical that could knock you out and cause organ damage. Another chemical that reacts with bleach to form chloroform is acetone. While you wouldn't put bleach in a mixed drink, you might use it to clean up a spill or use it in a cleaning project with alcohol-containing glass cleaner. Acetone is found in pure form and in some nail polish removers. The bottom line: avoid mixing bleach with anything except water.

Image: Chemical structure of chloroform, CHCl3.

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