To be worried about chlorine gas?

[Nativity3]

I usually throw a bit of bleach down the toilet every week. Ran out last week so bought some bleach (different brand to normal). I put it down the toilet an hour ago and went downstairs.
Came back up and the whole upstairs stinks like a swimming pool.

There was no other chemicals in the toilet so not sure why it's happened, it's never happened before when I use bleach.

I went into the bathroom to open the windows but am concerned as I have dc alsleep in their rooms (although their doors are shut). If it is chlorine gas could they be at risk? I didn't even use the toilet brush to clean the bowl so really can't fathom this. Was it chlorine gas or just a strong smell of bleach?

Could the bleach have leaked gas into the air? If so what do I do? or am I being a neurotic mess?

[Mushypeasandchipstogo]

I think that you probably did have something in the toilet that reacted with the bleach to release the chlorine eg lime scale remover. However, if you have opened the windows and your DC seem ok I would not worry too much. Yes chlorine is toxic but it does have a smell , unlike deadly carbon monoxide, and you will start to cough and splutter if you have been exposed to too much! Just be a bit more careful next time and I would flush the toilet several times before you shut the windows!

[BlackeyedSusan]

are you sure you flushed the loo before you put the bleach down?

[Mushypeasandchipstogo]

Yep urine can be acidic which will react with the bleach to release chlorine.

[Nativity3]

I flushed it just before and it definitely hasn't had any chemical down it in the past week (and has been flushed many times). I guess there could have been a tiny bit of something left but it would had to have survived over a weeks worth of flushes with no new chemicals added.

It was just so bizarre to put the bleach down and come back upstairs to feel like I was at the pool! Windows are still open. I plan to leave the small window open all night.

[Mushypeasandchipstogo]

Glad to see that you are still there OP was getting a bit worried!

[Nativity3]

Am assuming I don't need to wake the dc up and check them? Should I open their windows? It's already freezing out there!

[Tobyjugg]

With chlorine gas, if there was anything to worry about you would have known by now.

www.nytimes.com/health/guides/poison/chlorine-poisoning/overview.html

You may have got a smell of the gas - it's very pungent - but if you've not had any of the symptoms, you're probably OK.

[gamerchick]

It's just a stronger/smelling bleach. Don't worry.

[Nativity3]

I've used this one loads of times and barely even smelt it in the same room!

[pippahooper]

I wouldn't worry. Bleach releases its smell when it comes into contact with germs. What brand was it?

[gamerchick]

Oooh does that mean I have barely any germs in my toilet then? Mint

[Nativity3]

Sainsburys own brand!

[pippahooper]

Dunno when did you last bleach it gamerchick? lol

[pippahooper]

I wouldn't worry Nativity. Maybe there was alot of germs down there.

[gamerchick]

Just when there's illness in the house

[Hatespiders]

If you mix household bleach with toilet cleaning products or urine, the result is actual chlorine gas. The urine is acid and contains ammonia as do many toilet cleaning products. You should never mix bleach with anything else. There must have been either urine and/or ammonia in your loo.
In the right amounts it can even produce hydrozene which can explode with a great deal of heat. Highly toxic and dangerous!

[pippahooper]

lol the germs are probably happily multiplying if you ain't done it for a few days then and mocking you lol