Common hazardous ingredients
Hydrogen peroxide, oxalic acid, sodium hypochlorite, sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, sodium tripolyphophate

Potential hazards
Chlorine bleach is reactive and can form toxic gases when mixed with other cleaners; irritant to eyes and mucous membranes; corrosive.

Use and storage
Wear heavy rubber gloves when using. Use in a well-ventilated area. Keep the container lid tightly closed when not in use and store out of reach of children and pets.

Disposal
Best: Use up or give away. Rinse the empty container and dispose of in the garbage.
Second Best: If your home is connected to a city sewer system and you are unable to use or give away leftover bleach, flush small amounts down an inside drain (toilet in preferable) with lots of water. If you are on a septic system, flush very small quantities over several days.
Third Best: Hold for a household hazardous waste collection. In Oregon, call 1-800-732-9253 to find out if there is a hazardous waste collection event scheduled in your community, or call your garbage hauler, local government solid waste department or the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality at (503) 229-5913 or toll-free at 1-800-452-4011.

Alternatives

• Reduce the amount of chlorine bleach needed by half by adding ½ cup baking soda to top-loading machines or ¼ cup to front loaders.
• Use oxygen bleaches ½ cup per load.
• Use hydrogen peroxide based bleaches.

Note: Hydrogene peroxide in dilute solutions may be a lesser hazard than chlorine in some ways, but neither product is hazard free. Use these kinds of products infrequently or, if possible, not at all.