How can you safely store and label cleaning products?

1 Know the hazards

Before you store or label any cleaning product, you need to know what kind of hazards it may present. Cleaning products can be classified into four main categories: corrosive, flammable, toxic, or reactive. Corrosive products can burn or damage skin, eyes, or metal surfaces. Flammable products can catch fire or explode when exposed to heat, sparks, or flames. Toxic products can cause illness or death if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Reactive products can generate heat, gas, or pressure when mixed with other substances. You can find out the hazards of a cleaning product by reading its safety data sheet (SDS) or label.

2 Store them securely

Once you know the hazards of a cleaning product, you need to store it securely to prevent accidents or misuse. You should store cleaning products in a designated area that is well-ventilated, dry, cool, and away from sources of heat, ignition, or sunlight. You should also keep cleaning products away from food, drinks, medicines, or personal care items. You should store cleaning products in their original containers or in approved secondary containers that are compatible with the product. You should never store cleaning products in containers that look like food or drink containers, such as bottles, cans, or jars. You should also avoid storing incompatible cleaning products together, such as acids and bases, oxidizers and reducers, or bleach and ammonia.