5 worst places to store cleaning products at home

Garages exposed to heat and cold

Sharp temperature changes can affect both cleaning formulas and their containers. Heat can speed up the breakdown of certain ingredients and increase pressure inside aerosol cans, while very cold conditions may alter some cleaning formulas, cleaning expert Noah Pinsonnault told Good Housekeeping.

Bleach, for example, gradually loses its active chlorine over time, and high temperatures can accelerate the process. Andrew Brown, owner of U.S.-based Immediate Movers and Storage, said he has come across cleaning bottles in garages with peeling labels and swollen seams.

Cleaning products are better stored indoors in a cool, dry area, with any specific instructions on their labels followed.

Damp basements

Basement humidity can damage packaging and reduce the effectiveness of products that need to remain dry. Oxygen-based powdered cleaners, for instance, can deteriorate more quickly when exposed to moisture and high temperatures, said Pinsonnault.

Changes in a cleaner’s smell, color, texture or consistency, as well as swollen or damaged packaging, can be signs that it should be replaced. However, some products may lose effectiveness without any obvious physical changes, making it important to check manufacturers’ shelf-life recommendations.

Household cleaners stored under a shelf. Photo from Pexels

Unsecured under-sink cabinets

Keeping cleaning products under the sink can create two problems: unnoticed water leaks and easy access for children or pets.

Brown said he had removed around 40 cabinets where cleaning products had leaked near plumbing without homeowners realizing it until they moved.

If an under-sink cabinet is the only practical storage option, bottles should be kept inside a tray or bin that can contain leaks and raised above the cabinet floor where possible. The space should also be inspected regularly.

Homes with young children should have an appropriate child-safety lock fitted to the cabinet.

Shelves shared with food

Household cleaners should not be stored alongside groceries, according to the U.S. National Capital Poison Center. Sprays, detergents and other chemicals should be kept on separate shelves from food and drinks.

Cleaning products should also never be transferred into glasses, cups, water bottles or other drink containers, as both adults and children could mistake them for something safe to consume.

Decorative displays within children’s reach

Displaying cleaning products on open shelves or countertops may make them easier for children to reach. Pouring cleaners into decorative jars or bottles can create additional risks because important safety labels may be lost and the contents may appear harmless, FamilyDoctor.org warns.

Laundry detergent pods should therefore remain in their original packaging rather than being placed in glass jars or bowls. Containers should be securely closed after every use and kept out of children's sight and reach.

A cool, dry indoor cabinet or hall closet is generally a safer choice, provided children and pets cannot access it. Cleaning products should remain in their original labeled containers and can be organized in small caddies according to their purpose before being returned to secure storage after use.