Injury Prevention: The Proper Way to Store Cleaning Supplies - familydoctor.org (2024)

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Injury Prevention: The Proper Way to Store Cleaning Supplies - familydoctor.org (2)

According to the National Capital Poison Center, household cleaning supplies—including kitchen cleaners and liquid laundry packets—are the second most common exposure to poison among children under 6 years of age. And since the COVID-19 outbreak, cleaning has been on the rise. A recent poll from the American Cleaning Institute found that 53% of people reported using cleaning products more frequently.

Properly storing these products can help keep accidental exposures from happening and make your house a safer place.

Path to improved safety

When it comes to using and storing these products safely, consider the following tips:

  • Store products in their original containers. Recent trends on social media of storing things in glass or plastic containers may look nice, but these containers could provide easier access for children, and might be confusing. In addition, changing containers also removes important information that’s featured on the original label.
  • Never remove product labels. In addition to proper usage, product labels also include information about precautions, ingredients and first aid in case of emergency.
  • Read and follow the directions on the labels. The directions are there to ensure that the product is used properly.
  • Lock products up. When they are not in use, cleaning products should be stored up and out of sight and reach, away from children, pets, and food.
  • Close container caps securely. Many products come with child-deterrent packaging. If these are not closed properly, it could present a tempting target for your child.
  • Don’t mix products. This could release harmful gases into the air.
  • Schedule cleaning with kids in mind. Choose times when they might not be around or might be napping.
  • Conduct routine safety checks in your home. This can reduce the likelihood of accidents.

In addition to following these steps, make sure you dispose of empty cleaning containers safely. Replace the caps first, then place the container in a sealed recycling bin or garbage container.

Things to consider

Liquid laundry packets have become increasingly popular in recent years. Like with all cleaning products, they must be stored properly to help prevent accidents at home, which can happen quickly with young children around.

In a survey from the American Cleaning Institute, 71% of Americans who say they’ve used liquid laundry packets didn’t keep the products within sight or reach of children. But 19% say they have, several times.

While overall exposure to liquid laundry packets among young children has decreased, there are still some precautions parents should take:

  • Store liquid laundry packets up high and out of reach and sight of children.
  • Completely close and seal the containers after each use.
  • Always store the packets in their original containers with the safety label intact.
  • Never display liquid laundry packets in decorative bowls or glass jars for home décor purposes.

Parents should also keep the number for the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) somewhere easily visible or accessible in their homes. You should call this number immediately if any cleaning product is ingested.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • What are some of the more common chemicals children tend to get into?
  • What health problems can accidental exposures cause in children?
  • What should I do if I’m not sure whether my child has ingested one of these chemicals?

Resources

The American Cleaning Institute: Packets Up! Liquid Laundry Packet Safety
The American Cleaning Institute Blog: Planning for Poison Prevention
American Cleaning Institute: Cleaning is Caring Web Page

The development of this content was in collaboration with the American Cleaning Institute™.

Last Updated:

This article was contributed by familydoctor.org editorial staff.

Categories: First Aid and Injury Prevention, Staying Healthy

Tags: American Cleaning Institute, child safety, injury prevention, safe cleaning

Injury Prevention: The Proper Way to Store Cleaning Supplies - familydoctor.org (3)

Injury Prevention: The Proper Way to Store Cleaning Supplies - familydoctor.org (4)

Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

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Injury Prevention: The Proper Way to Store Cleaning Supplies - familydoctor.org (2024)

FAQs

Injury Prevention: The Proper Way to Store Cleaning Supplies - familydoctor.org? ›

Store in a clean, cool, dry space. Some cleaning chemicals can have hazardous reactions when they experience extreme temperature fluctuations or high levels of humidity. Store in well-ventilated areas, away from HVAC intake vents. This helps prevent any fumes from spreading to other areas of the facility.

How to properly store cleaning supplies? ›

Store in a clean, cool, dry space. Some cleaning chemicals can have hazardous reactions when they experience extreme temperature fluctuations or high levels of humidity. Store in well-ventilated areas, away from HVAC intake vents. This helps prevent any fumes from spreading to other areas of the facility.

What are the 5 ways on the proper storage of cleaning equipment? ›

You should store your equipment and supplies in a clean, dry, and secure place that is away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. You should also keep them organized and labeled to make them easy to find and use.

Where is the best place to store cleaning supplies? ›

"A separate closet near the kitchen or laundry area can be a storage area for bigger tools like vacuum cleaners, brooms, and mop buckets," says Will Cotter, COO of FreshSpace Cleaning. "Then to make the most of your cleaning space, use wall-mounted organizers or over-the-door storage for brooms, mops, and dusters."

How to store cleaning supplies in a closet? ›

A small utility cart is a perfect storage spot for cleaning supplies. Search for one that fits in a closet, behind a door, or between appliances. Use clear acrylic trays or small bins to corral similar cleaning supplies together.

Where should cleaning supplies be stored ServSafe quiz? ›

Store chemicals in the original containers (labeled with instructions and common name) in designated areas separate from food, equipment, linens, and utensils. Space chemicals apart from other items or partition them from other items, and always keep them under food, equipment, utensils, linens, etc., never above.

What is the proper way of storing household products? ›

You should place products on a high shelf or inside a cabinet that is locked. Always store containers in well-ventilated areas that are not too cold or hot. Your product label will provide storage temperatures. Ensure that containers are tightly sealed and dry to prevent leakage.

Which of the following is the proper procedure for storing cleaning supplies? ›

All cleaning products should be stored upright, with the proper labels attached. Each product should be sealed and kept in a designated area, and never mixed to avoid chemical reactions.

What are the proper ways in storing equipment? ›

Answer:
  • Have a designated place for each kind of tools.
  • Label the storage cabinet or place correctly for immediate finding.
  • Store them near the point of use.
  • Wash and dry properly before storing.
  • Store knives properly when not in use with sharp edge down.
  • Put frequently used items in conveniently accessible locations.
Oct 8, 2020

How do you keep inventory of cleaning supplies? ›

Track Cleaning Supplies with an Asset Tracking System
  1. Barcode label the supply.
  2. Assign the supply specifically to a user or location.
  3. Record the quantity.
  4. Maintain cleaning supply information on a regular basis.
  5. Generate reports on demand pertaining to transaction history, cost, quantity used, reorder point (ROP), etc.

How to lock up cleaning supplies? ›

Storing Cleaning Supplies Safely

All your materials should be out of reach or locked. You can use drawers or cabinet straps to ensure that cabinets cannot be opened or left open. Designate one place for storing your cleaning materials. That way, you will know where all your supplies are.

Where should cleaning supplies be stored in Quizlet? ›

To maintain sterility and enable efficient tracking, clean supplies and instruments ought to be kept in a. Using enclosed storage units like cabinets or shelves is advised, while keeping items directly on the ground is discouraged.

Where do you store cleaning products in a small bathroom? ›

Don't let the space in your bathroom go to waste.

Store cleaning supplies in water-resistant plastic boxes under the sink (as long as there are no little ones around who can get into them).

How should cleaning products be stored? ›

When they are not in use, cleaning products should be stored up and out of sight and reach, away from children, pets, and food. Close container caps securely. Many products come with child-deterrent packaging. If these are not closed properly, it could present a tempting target for your child.

How to carry cleaning supplies? ›

Moreover, cleaning caddies are a great way to carry your most used supplies with you as you clean. They also serve as an additional storage place for your supplies when they are not being used. Cleaning caddies' easy-to-use and grab-and-go style make them the most convenient tool a cleaner can use for any project.

Can you store cleaning supplies together? ›

Some household cleaners can cause dangerous reactions when mixed, meaning they shouldn't be stored with one another. Others can have hazardous reactions to extreme temperature fluctuations, which makes keeping them in cold garages or next to the hot water heater an absolute no-no.

How do you stockpile cleaning supplies? ›

It's best to store your stockpile somewhere that is easy to access during an emergency. The ideal location is a cool, dark place away from any solvents or cleaners that can leak or transfer fumes. Be sure to keep your supply in an area of the house that is not at risk for flooding.

Is it OK to store cleaning products with food? ›

Tips. Use cleaning chemicals only for their intended use. Follow instructions and handle with care. Store away from food.

References

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