Bleach has powerful disinfectant properties that make it bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal and even sporicidal. In short, it can destroy any microorganism. Despite this, more and more people are turning away from it. Let us remember that it is dangerous for health and the environment, particularly when it is misused. It is also very easy to replace, especially since it does not contain any surfactant, which makes it useless for cleaning! However, there remain diehard fans of bleach who consider it a panacea and the best cleaning product and who sometimes use it dangerously. For these people, find out the things to never “clean” with bleach.
Good to know:
In the household products section, there are many more ecological alternatives than bleach, including white vinegar, Marseille soap or black soap and baking soda for cleaning, lemon juice and sodium percarbonate for whitening and alcohol be careful to disinfect. This is more than enough to clean and disinfect all surfaces in the house. After all, you don’t live in a hospital where the slightest bacteria would be evil. No more excuses not to make the transition!
Now for the things that should never be cleaned with bleach!
1) Laundry
Whether for clothes, rags or even tablecloths, many people use bleach to whiten them. However, this product tends to yellow the laundry et damage fragile clothes. Better to use a safe whitener such as sodium percarbonate. The latter is excellent for whitening, removing stains and restoring shine to tarnished clothes.
2) The toilet bowl
Cleaning toilets with bleach is a classic in many households. However, this product has no cleaning power. Also, you will simply whiten stains which will therefore return quickly over time. Let us also remember that our toilet bowl is covered with traces of urine. However, when urine mixes with bleach, it forms a toxic gas. It is therefore not only dangerous for the planet, but also for your health. Remember to leave the bleach in the sun for two days before pouring it into the toilet to avoid any risk.
3) Induction hobs: never clean with bleach
Are you looking for the best way to quickly and easily ruin your induction hobs? Well! the solution is very simple: clean them with bleach! In fact, they are made of a material very fragile that this will irreparably damage. It is better here to use white vinegar, clay stone or even Meudon white.
4) Stainless steel
Whether on aluminum or stainless steel, bleach is not recommended. It risks permanently damaging your sinks, utensils and household appliances. These are in fact materials on which this liquid can prove to be particularly corrosive. If you plan to keep your stainless steel sink for a long time, avoid this mistake!
5) In a burnt pan
Bringing a product unfit for consumption and dangerous to your health into the kitchen is not in itself a good idea, but if you also misuse it, you expose yourself to big risks. Already, as explained earlier, bleach has a tendency to gnaw metals. This can therefore damage your utensils. And what’s more, some people even heat or boil the bleach in the same pan. However, heat deactivates bleach, making it simply uselessbut in addition, it frees very toxic fumes dangerous for your mucous membranes, your eyes and your respiratory tract, even if you ventilate. A practice to be banned forever!
6) Tile joints: never clean with bleach either
Certainly, bleach is very good at eliminating mold and whitening grout. However, it also causes a strong wear which will affect the sealing of the joints. As a result, you will have to change them more often and the mold will return more easily. Soda crystals or percarbonate in hot water, a baking soda-hydrogen peroxide mixture or even salted lemon will work just as well!