Bleach + Cat Urine

AbsoluteZero

So it seemed like a good idea to me to disinfect the cat box with bleach before putting some fresh litter in there... well part way through cleaning up I got pain in my chest and became light-headed...

My immediate thought was this is creating some kind of gas I shouldn't be breathing, so now I'm sitting in another room with the windows open.

Basically I would like to know if there is any danger here, or if it is all in my head, before I go back to cleaning. Any ideas?

Hirocon

Don't you watch King of the Hill?
Bleach + ammonia = recipe for mustard gas

AbsoluteZero

Fffffffffffuck.

I forgot that whole bleach and ammonia thing.

Guess I better vent the area for a while.

supabeast

Next time use Lysol.

piL

While Ammonia in urine helps to neutralize chlorine gas, cat urine is acidic. Acid + bleach releases chlorine gas. The shouldn't be much of a problem, because cat urine isn't very acidic, but it would be enough to cause a mild irritant, and if there's enough there's the associated risks of chlorine gas. I did find a site about cleaning up cat areas with bleach, and it might help you: Bleach: A Cleaning Mainstay.

Edit: I guess something else combines with the ammonia, and makes mustard gas. Whoops! Wash the box outside!

AbsoluteZero

I'd take it outside to finish cleaning it, but it's snowing (for the first time this winter, I might add... how convenient!). I've got the windows open and a couple fans going. I'm going to wait a while for the place to get ventilated.

Oh well, you live, you learn. It's not every day I accidentally fill my house with poison gas.

Thanks guys.

Menthol

try using some vinagear instead.

sinn

I always let my catbox soak in some pinesol. Works very well.