February 9, 2026 – A consumer incident involving Great Value brand bleach has raised concerns regarding product packaging integrity and storage guidelines, leading to significant property damage and personal irritation. The incident, which occurred after the bleach was stored for several months, highlights the potential risks associated with inadequately contained harsh chemicals.
Product Details
Incident Overview
In October 2024, a consumer purchased a bottle of Great Value bleach from a Walmart store in Forest Lake, MN. The bleach, manufactured by Kik Corp. on August 25, 2022, was subsequently stored on a shelf in the consumer’s basement. Approximately five to six months later, in early April 2025, the consumer noticed a strong bleach odor emanating from the basement.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the bleach bottle had leaked significantly, seeping through the molded plastic shelf and overflowing onto the shelf below. The leaked bleach then saturated a canvas bag, permeating into the bag and damaging a set of 18-volt heavy-duty cordless power tools stored within. The tools were completely ruined by the corrosive chemical.
During the cleanup process, the consumer’s skin came into contact with the bleach, resulting in dryness and redness. The consumer reported the incident to Walmart, who referred them to Kik Corp., the manufacturer. While Kik Corp. concluded that the bleach should not be stored for longer than six months, this information was not present on the product label. The consumer expressed frustration over what they perceived as rude treatment from both Walmart and Kik Corp., and raised concerns about the container’s inadequate thickness for a harsh chemical and the lack of a prominent storage duration warning. The consumer still retains the empty bottle.
Safety Concerns
This incident highlights several significant safety concerns for consumers:
- Chemical Exposure and Personal Injury: Direct contact with bleach can cause immediate skin irritation, dryness, redness, and chemical burns, as experienced by the caller. Inhalation of strong bleach fumes can lead to respiratory irritation, especially in poorly ventilated areas. Accidental ingestion or eye contact can result in severe and potentially permanent injury.
- Property Damage: Bleach is a highly corrosive substance. As demonstrated in this incident, leaks can cause extensive and irreparable damage to various materials, including metals (like power tools), plastics, fabrics, and potentially other household items. This can lead to significant financial loss for consumers.
- Inadequate Packaging: The caller’s assertion that the container was “very thin” raises concerns about the suitability of the packaging material for long-term containment of harsh chemicals. If containers are not robust enough, they risk cracking or weakening over time, especially during storage.
- Lack of Clear Storage Instructions: The absence of a label warning regarding the recommended storage duration (especially when the manufacturer later suggests a 6-month limit) is a critical safety oversight. Consumers rely on product labels for safe handling and storage guidelines. Without such information, they may inadvertently store products in a way that compromises container integrity or product stability, leading to incidents like this.
- Environmental Contamination: A large bleach leak can pose a risk to household environments, potentially affecting pets or contaminating areas not intended for chemical exposure.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers should take the following precautions to prevent similar incidents:
- Inspect Product Packaging: Before purchase and storage, visually inspect all household chemical containers for any signs of damage, cracks, or unusually thin spots.
- Review Product Labels Carefully: Always read and follow all instructions and warnings on product labels regarding handling, usage, and storage. If storage duration limits are not clearly stated for harsh chemicals, consider reaching out to the manufacturer for clarification.
- Store Chemicals Safely:
- Store harsh chemicals like bleach in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
- Ensure containers are stored upright and on sturdy shelves, preferably with secondary containment (e.g., in a plastic bin or tray) to catch potential leaks.
- Keep chemicals away from valuable items, electronics, or anything that could be damaged by corrosion.
- Store out of reach of children and pets.
- Use Protective Gear: When handling or cleaning up spills of bleach or other harsh chemicals, always wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection. Ensure the area is well-ventilated.
- Dispose of Old/Damaged Products: If a container shows signs of weakness, damage, or is past its recommended storage life (if known), consider safely disposing of the product according to local hazardous waste guidelines.
- Report Incidents: If you experience a similar incident involving a defective product, report it immediately to the product manufacturer, the retailer, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at SaferProducts.gov. Your report helps identify trends and prevent future harm.
Manufacturer’s Response
Walmart referred the consumer’s complaint to Kik Corp., the manufacturer of the Great Value bleach. Kik Corp. reportedly concluded that the bleach should not be stored for longer than six months, a crucial piece of information that was not indicated on the product’s labeling. The caller also reported being treated rudely by both Walmart and Kik Corp. after reporting the incident.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
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Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
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Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.