Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of cleansing, decontaminating and/or treating an affected area (such as the mouth, skin, hair, fur, nose, one or both eyes or combinations thereof) of a subject that has been exposed to a chemical irritant such as a cyanocarbon, a capsaicin, an oleoresin Capsicum or a vanilloid which binds to a TRPV1 receptor by applying to the affected area (e.g., mouth, skin, hair fur, nose, one or both eyes or combinations thereof), a cleansing, decontaminating and/or effective amount of a composition that comprises at least one salt, at least one zwitterionic surfactant, at least one quaternary ammonium compound, at least one reducing agent and water to decontaminate the affected area.