Why Cleaning Chemicals and Extreme Temperatures Don’t Mix — A Safety Guide for Chicagoland Homes and Businesses (2025 Update)

When Cleaning Products Freeze, Separate, or Explode — What Every Chicago Homeowner Should Know

Chicago winters can make even the most seasoned Midwesterner want to hibernate until spring. Between frozen pipes, icy sidewalks, and heating bills, it’s easy to forget that cold weather also affects the everyday products under your sink. But did you know extreme temperatures — both freezing cold and summer heat — can destroy or even ignite common household cleaning chemicals?

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we’ve seen more than our share of preventable home disasters caused by misstored cleaning products — from frozen disinfectants that stopped working to overheated aerosol cans that exploded in garages. As Chicago’s trusted residential restoration experts for over 40 years, we want homeowners to understand why cleaning chemicals and temperature extremes don’t mix — and how to store them safely year-round.

The Science Behind It: Why Temperature Matters for Cleaning Products

Cleaning chemicals are precisely formulated mixtures of solvents, surfactants, and active agents. When exposed to freezing cold or intense heat, these ingredients can separate, lose potency, or become unstable.

• Cold temperatures cause water-based cleaners to freeze and the solids to settle out, making the product ineffective even after thawing.
• High heat increases internal pressure in aerosol cans and accelerates chemical reactions, sometimes creating highly flammable vapors.

In a region like Chicagoland, where January lows dip below zero and summer highs reach the 90s, this isn’t just a lab problem — it’s a household safety issue.

Winter: The Hidden Freeze Risk in Garages and Basements

It’s common for homeowners to stash cleaning supplies in unheated areas like garages, basements, or mudrooms — but when the mercury drops, those storage spots can become chemical graveyards.

When Cleaners Freeze

Once frozen, most cleaners — especially disinfectants, enzyme solutions, and degreasers — lose their uniform composition. The solids and liquids separate, and shaking won’t fix it. A once-powerful cleaner becomes a useless, possibly unsafe solution.

Tip for Chicago homeowners: Keep all household cleaning products stored between 50°F and 80°F. If your garage or basement isn’t heated, bring the bottles inside for winter.

Products Most Vulnerable to Freezing

• Multi-surface disinfectant sprays
• Enzyme cleaners and degreasers
• Glass and mirror cleaners
• Hardwood and tile cleaners
• Liquid fabric softeners and detergents

If you notice a product that looks clumpy, discolored, or separated after thawing — dispose of it properly. Never pour it down the drain unless the label allows it.

Summer: Heat, Pressure, and Explosion Hazards

While winter brings freezing issues, Chicago’s humid summers introduce the opposite danger — overheating. Aerosol cans and solvent-based cleaners are particularly volatile in high temperatures.

A typical aerosol cleaner (like furniture polish, disinfectant spray, or air freshener) contains a liquid product and a pressurized propellant. Once temperatures climb above 120°F — common in a closed garage or parked car — that pressure can skyrocket, turning the can into a small bomb.

Real-world risk: On a 90°F summer day, the temperature inside a car can reach 140°F in less than an hour. That’s well beyond what most aerosol packaging is rated for.

Never Store Cleaning Products Near Heat Sources

Avoid keeping cleaners near:

• Furnaces, space heaters, or boilers
• Water heaters or radiators
• Fireplaces or wood stoves
• Direct sunlight on windowsills or decks

Even non-aerosol liquids can off-gas flammable vapors when overheated. If those vapors meet a pilot light, electrical spark, or static discharge, a small ignition can lead to serious fire damage.

If that ever happens, call the IICRC-certified fire restoration experts at ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons:

• Fire Damage Restoration

The Hand Sanitizer Myth: Alcohol + Heat = Ineffectiveness

Hand sanitizer became a household staple in recent years, but few people know that extreme heat evaporates the alcohol content, rendering it useless. Leaving sanitizer bottles in a hot car all summer means you might be rubbing water on your hands instead of a germ-killing solution.

Store sanitizers in a cool, shaded area below 86°F, and replace any that smell off or seem watery.

The Economics of Proper Storage

Cleaning chemicals aren’t cheap. Replacing ruined products adds up fast — and aerosol waste is also hazardous to the environment.

To save money (and the planet):

• Buy concentrated non-aerosol products when possible.
• Mix only what you’ll use immediately.
• Store all supplies in climate-controlled spaces, away from kids and pets.

If your cleaning products have already leaked, frozen, or spilled, professional cleanup may be required. Chemical residues can stain, corrode, or absorb into porous materials, leading to odors, health hazards, or even mold growth.

Safe Storage Checklist for Homeowners

Keep this quick reference on hand — especially during Chicago’s extreme weather swings:

1. Store cleaning products between 50–80°F.
2. Keep aerosols upright and out of direct sunlight.
3. Avoid attics, garages, and basements without insulation.
4. Never place cleaners near furnaces, radiators, or water heaters.
5. Dispose of expired or frozen products at your local hazardous waste facility.
6. Check product labels for temperature warnings.
7. For extra peace of mind, schedule a seasonal home safety inspection with a certified cleaning professional.

When Chemical Damage Happens — Don’t DIY

If frozen or overheated cleaning products spill, leak, or ignite, do not attempt to clean it with household tools. Vapors and residues may be toxic or flammable.

Our team at ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to safely clean up chemical contamination, fire residues, and odors — restoring your home to a safe, healthy state.

We also handle:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Specialty Cleaning

Local Insight: Chicago’s Unique Climate Challenges

Homeowners from Oak Park to Lake Bluff face one of the nation’s widest temperature ranges. That means your cleaning supplies need just as much seasonal attention as your HVAC or plumbing system.

In winter, freezing garages can destroy disinfectants and enzyme cleaners.
In summer, overheated storage spaces risk aerosol explosions or flammable vapors.

If a spill or ignition damages your property, remember: ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has 40+ years of local experience, serving:

• Chicago (including Lakeview, Logan Square, Wicker Park, and Lincoln Park)
• North Shore (Skokie, Wilmette, Evanston, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park)
• Lake County (Deerfield, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Libertyville, Mundelein)
• Oak Park and River Forest (DuPage County region)

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

Founded in Chicago in 1929, ServiceMaster is the nation’s oldest restoration brand. Our local franchise, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, has proudly served Chicagoland for over 40 years, providing residential restoration and specialty cleaning services.

We’re certified, award-winning experts:

• 2025 Inc. 5000 Honoree
• Chicago Star Award
• BBB Torch Award for Ethics
• Stevie® Award for Business Excellence
• IICRC Certified Master Fire & Water Restorer
• RIA Member Company

Learn more about protecting your home in our book RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset — co-authored by our CEO Nasutsa Mabwa and COO Sam Simon.

FAQs — Cleaning Chemicals and Temperature Safety

Q1: Can I still use cleaning products that froze and thawed?
If the formula looks separated, chunky, or smells off, it’s likely ineffective — and possibly unsafe. Discard it properly.

Q2: Why do aerosol cans explode in heat?
Aerosol cans contain pressurized propellant. When heated above 120°F, internal pressure increases, risking rupture or explosion.

Q3: Is it safe to store disinfectants in my garage?
Not unless it’s heated. Garages in Chicago can fall below freezing in winter and exceed 120°F in summer — destroying product integrity.

Q4: Can chemical spills cause permanent damage?
Yes. Solvents and corrosives can etch flooring, stain walls, and release harmful vapors. Professional cleanup is strongly advised.

Q5: What should I do if cleaning fumes make me dizzy or nauseous?
Leave the area immediately, ventilate if safe, and call a certified restoration or cleaning professional to inspect for lingering fumes.