Most cleaning accidents don't happen while cleaning. They happen because a bottle was stored in the wrong place, in the wrong container or next to the wrong product. A few simple storage rules protect children, staff and your stock.
Rule 1: Keep the original label
Always store chemicals in their original, labelled containers. If you decant into spray bottles, label every bottle clearly with the product name and dilution. Never use cooldrink or water bottles for chemicals. It's one of the most common causes of accidental poisoning.
Rule 2: Up high and locked away
- At home, store cleaners in a high cupboard or one with a child lock, not under the sink.
- At work, use a dedicated chemical store or cupboard that only trained staff can access.
- Keep chemicals away from food, drinks and food-prep areas.
Rule 3: Separate products that don't mix
Some products react dangerously with each other. Store them apart so a leak can't bring them together:
- Bleach and chlorine products away from acids (such as many toilet descalers and drain cleaners) and away from ammonia-based cleaners.
- Pool chlorine away from everything else, in a cool, dry place.
- Flammable products like solvents and alcohol away from heat and flames.
Rule 4: Cool, dry and upright
Heat and sunlight can weaken products (bleach loses strength in the heat) and make containers swell. Store bottles upright with lids tightly closed, on shelves rather than the floor, with heavy containers on the bottom shelf.
Rule 5: Be ready for spills
- Keep gloves near the store. Nitrile or household rubber gloves suit most cleaning chemicals.
- Keep absorbent cloths or paper and a bucket nearby.
- Know where the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each product is, and keep emergency numbers visible.
Stock up
Protect hands with Salvatex Household Gloves or Black Nitrile Gloves, and buy Bleach in properly labelled 5L containers from maxproducts.co.za. Ask us for the Safety Data Sheet for any product we sell.
Products mentioned in this guide
Available now from our sister company Max Products at maxproducts.co.za, in trade sizes and delivered in Cape Town.
Visit maxproducts.co.za →
Salvatex Household Gloves
Black Nitrile Gloves
Bleach 5L
