Last updated on December 20th, 2023
It’s handy to have bleach around the house to tackle stains in garments, bathroom tiles, and a variety of other areas. However, bleach means business and while it does a good job removing stains from your white sheets, it may take a lot more with it than you bargained for from other surfaces.
Rather than burn a hole in your furniture, and ultimately your pocket, it’s better to get your facts right about this very harsh product. Let’s take a close look at the 7 items that should run for cover when there is bleach around.
1. Metal Items
Bleach can corrode metals such as steel, copper, cast iron, and aluminum, leading to rust and oxidization. Rather than weep tears of frustration when you see the damage it has caused to your copper lamp, hunt for metal-specific cleaning agents. Materials such as steel, silver, copper, and aluminum can be cleaned effectively with a vinegar solution. You will also find copper and stainless steel cleaning products in the market if you aren’t sure about vinegar.
Surprisingly, cast iron cookware can be cleaned very easily with hot water and a brush. This way, the seasoning will remain intact.
2. Your Delicates
Undoubtedly, bleach is the answer where fabrics are concerned. However, while it works beautifully on hardy cotton garments, it may not be the wisest choice for delicate garments such as spandex, wool, or silk. Bleach will surely remove the stains, but it can destroy the fabric too.
Bleach can be used safely for cotton, nylon, or polyester. But it’s better to check the label for washing instructions to be very sure. And yes, keep it away from colored fabrics.
3. Wooden Items
Wood is a hardy product and can take a lot of abuse. However, it may draw the line at bleach. Bleach will not only strip off the finish, but it can damage and cause discoloring too. Also, if you are in the habit of mixing bleach in the water for mopping your wooden floor, cease immediately as it may leave stains on your flooring.
Wood has a mild, acidic pH. Dish soap with a neutral pH is perfect to prevent damage. Use a damp mop with a slightly soapy content to wipe the surface, or else the wood will warp.
4. Leather
When you think of leather, it seems like a tough material that can take a lot of beating. However, the harsh oxidizing properties of bleach are no match for leather. To get the job done, spot-clean the surface to remove the stain. Your options are mild soap water, vinegar, and water, or a store-bought leather cleaner.
5. Your Drains
Pouring bleach down the drain is the easiest way to get the flow going. However, is it the best idea? While it may tackle the clogging to a certain extent, bleach can lead to pipe corrosion, and if the pipe bursts, you shouldn’t be surprised. Moreover, bleach is harmful to the environment too.
6. Your Countertop
Most kitchens in India use stones such as granite or quartz for their countertops. Irrespective of the stone type, it is a porous material and bleach will damage the surface. It will cause chemical burns and will strip the sealants and gloss from the stone. You may be looking at extensive damage, resulting in massive repair work. So, keep bleach away from your countertop! And hey, soapy water does the trick in most cases.
7. Painted Furniture or Tiles
A coat of paint is the ultimate hack to revive your furniture or your backsplash. But paint and bleach aren’t a match made in heaven. So, if you want to avoid disastrous peeling and discoloration, avoid cleaning the surface with bleach.
Summing Up
Cleaning your home isn’t rocket science. You rarely need chemicals to get the job done and instead can achieve amazing results with household ingredients such as soap, vinegar, lemon, and baking soda. To get a better grasp on cleaning hacks, check out our homebliss.in website.