If you want a sparkly home, you may want to ditch bleach for good!
While bleach has long been advertised as one of the best cleaning tools for your home, it can also cause more harm than good. Marketed as the ultimate solution for killing 99.9% of germs and bacteria, including those that cause E. Coli, norovirus, Salmonella, and the flu, is it really the best way to tackle tough stains, whiten laundry, make bathroom tiles sparkle, and disinfect kitchen counters?
Since the pungent odor is often synonymous with cleanliness, not many people thought about what’s lurking in that popular bottle. Well, here’s the thing: as powerful as this cleaner might be, it can harm your home, health, and environment.
If you’ve ever gagged on the harsh fumes while scrubbing or worried about mixing it with the wrong solution, you’re not alone. Bleach is strong but also toxic, potentially causing a range of problems, such as allergic chemical reactions or skin irritation.
So, if you were on the fence about whether you should use this solution or not, today’s article is all about the reasons why you should ditch bleach for good. Say goodbye to harsh smells, headaches, and potential disasters, and switch to cleaner and eco-friendly alternatives instead. Let’s take a look:
1. It doesn’t remove grease and grime
Contrary to popular belief, bleach isn’t a universal cleaner. It might be advertised as a miraculous product to make your entire home shiny and squeaky clean, but here’s the thing: it doesn’t have any grease- or dirt-removing properties.
Just think about the common messes you face while cleaning your kitchen: sticky food residue, oil splatters, and annoying grease stains. Our “magical” solution might do a wonderful job of disinfecting these areas, but that’s pretty much it.
The reason why you should ditch bleach is because it won’t clean your messy kitchen surfaces. It doesn’t lift away dirt or break down fats, so while your surfaces might be sanitized, they don’t get clean.
The best way to get rid of dirt and grime is to use dish soap, vinegar, or baking soda. These clean and disinfect at the same time without all those dangerous effects of bleach.
…Is bleach part of your regular cleaning routine? Let us know in the comments below!
2. It can corrode hardware and tiles
Another important reason you should ditch bleach is that it can corrode particular fixtures and materials in your home. According to experts, this solution is so strong that it can easily deteriorate, discolor, and weaken different types of materials by breaking down their chemical structure.
For example, if you regularly use bleach to clean your shower, you might need to caulk it every three months, which takes a lot of time and effort in the long run. But that’s not all. Since it’s a powerful oxidizing substance, it can also eat away at backsplash tiles and the shower’s protective coating. Unfortunately, this can further lead to humidity and stain issues.
You’d better stick to special cleaning supplies that don’t contain any bleach or other harsh fumes. If you’re after a budget-friendly and effective solution, I highly recommend the one I use at home. It works wonders and leaves a fresh, clean scent that instantly makes your space feel spotless.
3. It doesn’t kill mold
One of the most common myths about bleach is that it can effectively kill mold. But guess what? It doesn’t! Of course, cleaning with this “magical” solution might give off the impression that mold has gone away, but don’t fall for this trap.
According to experts, all this powerful solution does is take the top layer, or colored layer of the mold off. Unfortunately, the strong spores can survive this cleaning tool, and you only end up with a strong mold that grows back.
…If I didn’t convince you to ditch bleach for good, maybe this one will. Keep reading to discover more!
4. It causes respiratory problems
Bleach might seem like it would kill all germs and bacteria in your home, but let’s not forget about all the harsh effects it could have on your health. Since it’s a strong oxidizing substance, no wonder that it can quickly irritate your throat, lungs, and eyes, especially if you suffer from respiratory conditions like asthma.
If you do use this strong solution, make sure you avoid skin contact as much as possible, because it can cause painful rashes and even burns. Not to mention, mixing it with other potent cleaners, such as ammonia, can release harmful toxic gases.
Even though many brands promote this as a germ-fighting superstar, your health risks outweigh the potential benefits. So, if you want to ditch bleach for good, there are plenty of other alternatives to make your home sparkle, such as hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. These are strong and effective, but don’t put your skin or lungs in danger.
…Speaking of mixing bleach with other potent cleaners, there’s something you need to know about these dangerous combinations. In certain cases, they can even be fatal! Keep reading to uncover why this happens and how to stay safe.
5. It can be dangerous mixed with other strong cleaners
If you don’t know how to properly mix this solution with other cleaning products, you’d better ditch bleach for good. According to professional cleanings, there are a few terrible combinations to stay away from, such as:
- bleach and acids—this includes most commercial cleaning products, as well as vinegar. This bad combination creates chlorine gas, which is more likely to irritate your mucous membranes (eyes, nose, and throat) and trigger breathing issues, coughing, runny nose, burning, and watery eyes. But that’s not all—very high levels of exposure to this toxic mix can even lead to death.
- Bleach and ammonia—as we’ve previously mentioned, this dangerous combination can cause nausea, chest pain, respiratory issues, pneumonia, and so many other things you don’t want to experience.
In case you ever come in contact with one of these cleaning solution combinations, call 911 immediately, because things can go from bad to worse in a snap!
6. It damages your septic tank
Continuing with all these reasons why ditching bleach is better for your health and home, let’s talk about its impact on your septic tank. Believe it or not, even your toilet can be affected by harsh fumes. While you can’t go wrong with bleach when it comes to disinfecting surfaces, don’t expect it to do a great job for a plumbing task.
According to experts, septic tanks need good bacteria to break down waste and keep things running smoothly. The reason why you should ditch bleach for good—at least when it comes to your septic tank—is that it doesn’t make the difference between good and bad bacteria, so it wipes out both. As a result, your septic system will be less efficient, so don’t be surprised if you notice clogs, backups, or the need for expensive repairs.
If you regularly use bleach to make your toilet sparkle, you’d better switch to something gentler and septic-friendly. Your toilet will be just as clean, but thanks to using a softer product, you’ll protect the environment, keep your plumbing system running smoothly, and avoid unnecessary expenses in the future.
Were these reasons enough to convince you to ditch bleach? Let us know in the comments below! And if you have any recommendations on cleaning supplies that do a wonderful job without ruining your home, we’d love to know more. Until next time, here’s another article from Wipe and Organize to check out: Everyone Makes These 6 Fridge Organizing Mistakes
