Why storage matters
Household cleaning products are a frequent cause of poisoning calls involving young children and, to a lesser extent, pets. Bright colours, appealing smells and familiar shapes can make a bottle or capsule look like a drink or a sweet to a small child. The goal of safe storage is to make accidents less likely by adding barriers, so that one slip does not lead to harm.
This article gives general guidance. Rules and product design requirements vary between countries, and your product label has the final word.
Keep products in their original containers
This is the single most useful rule.
- The original container carries the hazard pictograms, directions and first-aid information. If something goes wrong, the label is what you or a clinician will read.
- Containers sold with household chemicals are usually made of materials suited to the contents. A different plastic or a metal lid may react or degrade.
- Many products have child-resistant closures. These slow children down, but they are not child-proof, and they work only when properly fastened. Close each lid until it clicks after every use.
Never pour a product into a drink bottle, a cup or a food container. People, especially children, pick up what looks like a drink. This remains one of the most commonly reported causes of accidental swallowing. If you must transfer a product, for instance when diluting a concentrate into a spray bottle, label the new container clearly with the product name, dilution and date, and keep it with the same storage care as the original. More on that point is in the discussion of cleaner refills.
Where to store things
- High and locked is better than low and closed. A high cupboard out of sight and reach, ideally with a lock or latch, is safer than a low cupboard with a simple door. Children can climb, so “high up” alone is not enough where a stool or shelf is nearby.
- Not under the kitchen sink unless it has a childproof latch. This is the most common place for products to be kept, and the most accessible to toddlers. A safety catch that the child cannot operate, fitted to the cupboard, is a practical improvement.
- Away from food, drink, medicines and pet food. Keep chemicals on a separate shelf, ideally below food rather than above it, so a leak cannot drip onto it.
- Away from heat and direct sun. Aerosols and flammable products should be kept cool, out of sunlight and away from cookers, boilers and heaters. Check the flame and gas cylinder pictograms on labels, which are discussed in the guide to hazard symbols.
- Dry and ventilated. Damp can corrode caps and containers. A garage, shed or utility space can be suitable if it is secure and not subject to freezing or very high temperatures.
- Garden and garage chemicals too. Pesticides, weed killers, antifreeze, solvents and pool chemicals are generally more hazardous than ordinary cleaners and deserve a locked space.
Keep incompatible products apart
Even when there is no child involved, storing certain products together invites trouble if bottles leak or tip. Bleach and acidic cleaners, or bleach and ammonia-containing products, should not be stored side by side, since a leak could lead to the kind of dangerous release described in the article on mixing cleaners. Using separate shelves or trays, with a lip to catch spills, reduces the risk.
Laundry capsules and tablets
Concentrated laundry and dishwasher capsules are a known risk, since they are small, colourful and soft. Keep them in their original tub, with the lid closed, out of reach and sight. Dry hands before touching them, and do not leave them on a surface where a child can grab them.
Pets
Dogs, cats and other animals can be affected by cleaning products, whether by licking paws or floors, chewing bottles or breathing fumes. Some practical points:
- Keep products out of reach, as you would for a child.
- Let treated floors dry before pets are allowed back, and follow label advice about rinsing.
- Be careful with essential oils, strong disinfectants and anything labelled as harmful to animals. Some substances that are mild for people are more harmful to particular animals. If you are unsure, ask a vet.
- Store pet medicines and pet food away from chemicals.
Reading the clues on a label
The label usually tells you how to store the product. Look for instructions such as keep upright, keep tightly closed, keep away from heat, or store in a cool place. Hazard statements may also help you decide where to put it. If you have not yet read the labels on products you own, our guide on how to read them is a helpful companion to this one.
Know what to do in an emergency
Preparation is part of safe storage. Before an accident happens:
- Find your local poison helpline or poison centre number and save it in your phone and somewhere visible at home. Numbers differ by country, so look up the right one for where you live.
- Know your local emergency number.
- Keep the original packaging, or at least the label, so you can read out the product name and ingredients.
If a child or pet swallows a product, or gets it in the eyes or on skin, general principles are:
- Stay calm and remove the child or pet from the source.
- Do not make a person vomit unless a professional tells you to. For some products, vomiting causes further harm.
- Follow the first-aid directions on the label, which may involve rinsing the mouth, flushing the eyes with water or removing contaminated clothing.
- Call the poison helpline or emergency services straight away. Do not wait for symptoms to appear, because some effects are delayed.
- Take the product container with you if you go to a doctor or hospital.
If fumes were released, for example after combining products, move everyone to fresh air and seek help.
Reducing what you store
The fewer products you keep, the smaller the risk. Using up or properly disposing of old products, as covered in the guide on chemical disposal, keeps cupboards manageable. Buying only what you need and choosing products with simpler formulas, while checking labels carefully, can also help. A wider guide to choosing among eco-friendly cleaners can help when you replace things.
This is general information, not medical advice. In an emergency, contact your local emergency services or poison helpline.