Proper Household Chemical Storage For Your Family

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Even if tidiness and a clean house aren’t always atop your list of priorities, it is necessary to consider how the cleaning products you use are stored. Though they are particularly effective in disinfecting and maintaining a clean home, these products are hazardous at their core if not used and stored properly. In order to protect yourself and your family, you must understand the safest ways to handle these chemicals and how to store them. 

This isn’t to say you need a maximum security safe to store every household cleaning supply. 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. 

In order to properly discern between safe for the family or safe for adult use, it is important to be able to read and understand the labels of these products. Each cleaning supply should have a label that details the safety information and how to properly use the product. These labels will likely also include precautions for young children, especially in the more hazardous products. Though these labels aren’t always as clear as they should be, parents should always look to the label first when deciding whether or not these products should be stored anywhere that’s accessible to their children.

A way to control the risk associated with these cleaning supplies is to have a less is more approach. 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 disposal of these products have harsh environmental implications, improperly disposing of them poses risks for your family and pets. Consider contacting your local municipalities for guidance on how to safely dispose of these products after their use as well. 

For more information on how to properly store your household chemical products and create a customized storage system for your family, consider reviewing the infographic courtesy of SolvChem Custom Packaging Division. 

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.