PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — Washing hands and highly touched surfaces are two keys to keeping viruses and other illnesses from spreading, but some of the cleaning supplies in your home can be dangerous if used the wrong way.

“The nonprofit Environmental Working Group found that more than 2,000 cleaning products in the United States might contain chemicals linked to asthma, cancer and chemical burns,” said Dr. Sanjay Gupta, host of the Chasing Life podcast.

The CDC says in most situations, cleaning alone with soap and water can remove most germs on surfaces, but if someone in your home has been sick, or a person who recently visited had an illness, the agency says properly diluted bleach can effectively kill germs, but to take additional steps for safety.

Those include using regular unscented household bleach that contains between five to nine percent sodium hypochlorite.

If it’s laundry or splashless bleach, it may not be appropriate for disinfection so make sure it’s in that percentage range.

Also, never mix household bleach or any other disinfectant with other cleaners or disinfectants. This can release vapors that can be dangerous to breathe in.

Another tip is to make sure you have good ventilation, such as open windows.

Make sure to check the label to see if you need to wear protective equipment like gloves or eye protection, and follow directions on the bottle to prepare a diluted bleach solution.

You can also check if your other cleaners are safe.

“Next time you need to replace something, spend a minute looking for this, the EPA’s Safer Choice label or checking their online database,” said Gupta.

Gupta said there are also natural cleaners, like vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice that can be used as well. He said regular vacuuming is also important to remove toxic chemicals that can build up in dust.