Look in most UK households, and you’re likely to find a bottle of bleach in a bathroom or kitchen cupboard. Bleach – or sodium hypochlorite, to give it the chemical name – has long been a household staple for cleaning bathrooms, wiping kitchen surfaces and disinfecting.
Myths abound on whether bleach is safe to use. Fortunately, EU laws dictate that cleaning products must be clearly labelled with how much to use and any safety warnings. Bleach is perfectly safe when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Dilute accordingly
Neat bleach or too strong a bleach concentration can damage the surface you are trying to clean. Bleach generally removes the colour from fabrics if too concentrated, so ensure you’re never wearing your favourite jumper when you’re cleaning with bleach. Of course, this goes for carpets too – while you might think of bleach to get that red wine or coffee stain out of a pale carpet, bear in mind that bleach can take the colour out altogether.
If it’s mixed with too much water, it won’t clean effectively. Follow the packet instructions to get the right balance. The ratio of bleach to water should be approximately 1:99, according to Good Housekeeping, and cold water will do just fine!
Bleach can be safely obtained from a janitorial supplier Gloucester such as simplehygienesolutions.co.uk/janitorial-equipment-supplier-near-me/gloucester/.
Perform a test clean
Bleach can damage surfaces, particularly if too concentrated. If you’ve not cleaned a surface with bleach before, it’s well worth doing a test clean on a hidden corner. Bleach isn’t suitable for certain surfaces as it can affect the colour or the material.
No mixing
It’s especially important never to mix bleach with any other household cleaning products. When mixed with ammonia, for example, toxic fumes which are harmful to health can be produced. Likewise, mixing bleach with white vinegar can be a dangerous combination, too.
Keep bleach locked away
It goes without saying that bleach should be kept well away from children and pets. Ingesting bleach can cause serious health problems.
Labels, protective gear and fresh air
Safe cleaning starts with the label. Keep products in their original packaging so the instructions and warnings are always to hand, and read them before use to check how much to use and what to do if there is an accident. If products have been in the cupboard for a long time, it is worth checking for any recalls. Used wrongly, cleaning products can cause coughing and wheezing, sore or burning eyes, skin rashes and burns, nosebleeds and dizziness.
Use one product at a time. Many cleaners, including window, glass and bathroom cleaners and furniture polish, contain ammonia, and mixing ammonia or vinegar with bleach can release dangerous gases. Wear gloves and goggles where the label recommends them, and a mask when using sprays.
Ventilation is just as important. Particles from cleaners can linger in the air for up to 30 minutes and irritate the eyes, throat and skin. Open windows and doors where it is safe, run extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, and use milder products in small enclosed spaces such as cupboards.