In the wake of a global pandemic, more and more families are concerned with keeping their homes disinfected. Maintaining a clean and orderly home that’s safe for your family will require the use of a number of household cleaning products that contain hazardous chemicals. As families have come to find out, all of these products are world-class at disinfecting surfaces and killing pesky bacteria. Unfortunately, many families have also found out the hard way just how hazardous these products can be in the wrong hands. For the safety of your family, it’s imperative to identify the safest ways to store these supplies for the sake of your family.
Before tackling any sort of storage set up, it’s important to make sure these products’ labels are read and understood fully before use. That goes for every member of the family, especially the younger ones. The labels of these products are expected to include all of the information necessary to properly use them. Directions for use, safety information, and even storage tips are likely to be found on every label. However, as many families know, a number of these products are used sparingly, and thus last for extended periods of time. As such, their labels may fade and become unclear over time. One way to combat this is to apply new labels to these products, or to retain the information in the home somewhere if the label begins to fade.
Though these products can be dangerous, it’s not necessary to purchase a maximum security safe to store each of them. Items such as disinfectant wipes or dish soaps are generally safe to store in all-purpose closets or a kitchen cupboard as long as children are made aware of their presence and are out of their reach until they’re properly educated on how to use these safer products. However, more niche products that are significantly more hazardous than these general products should not be as carelessly stored. Products such as paint thinner, bleach, or drain cleaner are examples of the types of household cleaning supplies that should have their own designated safe space in your home to avoid falling into the wrong hands.
A way to control the risk associated with these cleaning supplies is to possess a less is more philosophy. The more hazardous chemical products there are laying around the house, the more likely the chance of something potentially life threatening occurring. Parents should look to stock only the essentials and avoid excess storage if possible. In addition to this, parents should know how to safely dispose of these chemical products. Not only does the improper disposal of these products have harsh environmental implications, it can also pose health risks for your family and pets.
Any family interested in additional tips and tricks regarding proper household chemical product storage, including ways to build customizable storage caddies, be sure to review the infographic accompanying this post.
Author bio: Lynn Place is Vice President of Marketing for SolvChem Custom Packaging Division. She has 30 years of professional experience in the manufacturing industry and specializes in consumer packaged goods, new product development and strategic planning.
