what should you not use bleach on

5 Things You Should Never Clean or Do with Bleach

• 1. Don’t use it on wooden surfaces. ...
• 2. Don’t use it to clean most metals. ...
• 3. Don’t use it on granite countertops. ...
• 4. Don’t use it to clean or sanitize food. ...
• 5. Never mix it with other chemicals.

Full Answer

What can you safely mix with bleach?

Ways to Use Baking soda and Bleach

• Grout Cleaning Paste. If you mix bleach and enough baking soda to create a paste (around 1/4c bleach to 3/4c baking soda), the combination makes for a powerful grout cleaner.
• Laundry. Baking soda has long been used in laundry as a way to soften hard water resulting in softer clothes after washing.
• General Household Stain Removal. ...

Why ammonia and bleach should not be mixed?

Mixing bleach and ammonia will create very toxic gases called chloramines. Chloramine, which is a respiratory irritant, has the potential to form hydrazine. So, exposure to a mixture of bleach and ammonia can cause mild to severe and fatal effects, depending on the amount of exposure.

Why you shouldn't mix bleach with alcohol or acetone?

Rubbing alcohol contains ethanol or isopropyl alcohol , which, when mixed with household bleach containing sodium hypochlorite, will create chloroform and hydrochloric acid, as well as chloroacetone or dichloroacetone. These compounds can cause damage to the nervous system, lungs, kidneys, liver, eyes, and skin .

Can you die from mixing vinegar and bleach?

And chances are you have two of the most potent— bleach and vinegar —in your cleaning cabinet right now. Used alone, these cleaners are safe and effective in the kitchen, bathroom, and beyond. But mixed, whether deliberately or accidentally, they combine to create a toxic, potentially fatal, product.

What surfaces can bleach not be used on?

Bleach corrodes many metals. It should never be used on stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, marble, or granite. Bleach is neutralized by dirt and other organic material, so it isn't very effective when used on a surface that hasn't been cleaned.

What should you never use with bleach?

Don't mix bleach with ammonia, acids, or other cleaners. Mixing bleach with common cleaning products can cause serious injuries. Be sure to always read the product label before using a cleaning product.

Why you shouldn't use bleach for cleaning?

small droplets that can be inhaled into the lungs by the staff and children. Children are at greater risk from breathing bleach vapors because their lungs are still developing. Bleach can irritate the skin and eyes. Breathing in bleach over a long period of time can increase your risk of cancer.

Can you use bleach on everything?

You can use it on everything from bath toys to gym clothes. Good old-fashioned bleach canget down and dirty with prettymuch everything, even the garden. For a basic, use-everywherekitchen formula, mix ½ cup ofbleach with a gallon of water.

Can you pour bleach down the toilet?

The answer is: Yes, you can pour bleach down the toilet. However, you have to be careful because it can quickly react with other substances and create toxic fumes. Always read product guidelines and follow the manufacturer's instructions before using bleach.

What does bleach react with?

Sodium hypochlorite is the active ingredient in chlorine bleach. It is found in household bleach and many other disinfectants. Sodium hypochlorite reacts with ammonia, drain cleaners, and other acids.

Do you need to rinse after cleaning with bleach?

If bleach solution evaporates in less than 10 minutes, a greater volume of solution should be applied. 5. After disinfection with bleach solutions, surfaces should be rinsed and dried. Bleach can be irritating to skin and mucous membranes, so any residue should be removed prior to returning animals to the environment.

Is bleach toxic after drying?

And even after the floors have dried, your pet may still get sick from licking it; bleach residue is still toxic even when it's dry. While small quantities of diluted bleach aren't usually fatal for pets, they are certainly irritating.

What happens if you don't wash off bleach?

When bleach is left to air dry on floors and is not rinsed away, it can leave behind bleach crystals after the bleach evaporates. Sodium hypochlorite will break down into salt and water when left to do so. Since undiluted bleach is mostly water to begin with, once the floor dries, salt crystals will be left behind.

Can you pour bleach down the shower drain?

No. Bleach is a very powerful and toxic substance, so you need to take particular caution in what you apply it to – pouring bleach down a drain does not constitute a proper use. Bleach has the potential to react with other substances in plumbing and pipework, and could end up causing further clogging of the system.

When should you use bleach?

Chlorine bleach can be used to disinfect and sanitize laundry and well as kitchen, bathroom and other surfaces around the home. Disinfectants and disinfectant cleaners are the only products that kill germs—but they only work if the label directions are followed.

Is bleach bad for stainless steel?

Bleach and cleaners with chlorine will stain and damage stainless steel. Don't leave dirty water and cleaning solution residues to dry on your stainless steel; it will create a dull finish and could leave permanent stains. Some tap water can be harsh and leave spots or stains. Use distilled or filtered water instead.

Is it safe to mix bleach and Pine Sol?

Bottom line — mixing bleach with Pine-Sol produces chlorine gas that can be harmful or even toxic. Never do it. What is this? If you've accidentally mixed bleach and Pine-Sol, open all windows and doors and ventilate the area as much as possible.

What is the guidelines in using bleach?

Below are the most important safety guidelines when using sanitizing products:Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.Wear rubber or other non-porous boots, gloves, and eye protection.Try not to breathe in product fumes. If using products indoors, open windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter.

Can you mix bleach and Fabuloso?

Can I mix Fabuloso® or Fabuloso® Complete with bleach? No. Do not use with chlorine bleach.

What precaution should be used when using chlorine bleach?

Keep away from metals. Do not eat, drink, or smoke when using the product. Wash your hands with soap and water after using the product. Do not use with other products such as toilet bowl cleaners, rust removers, acids (including vinegar), and products containing ammonia.

How many people are exposed to chlorine in 2016?

In 2016, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported over 6,300 exposures to chlorine, making it the most common inhalational irritant in the U.S. About 35 percent occurred as a result of mixing liquid bleach with other household cleaning products, according to Chlorine Gas Toxicity, a book cowritten by Ashkan Morim, M.D., and Gregory T. Guldner, M.D., of the University of California, Riverside.

How to tell if you are exposed to chlorine gas?

Higher concentrations can cause narrowing of the airway, fluid in the lungs and other lung injuries. 2. Don’t gargle or drink diluted bleach.

Can bleach kill viruses?

Don’t gargle or drink diluted bleach. Some people may think bleach can kill off viruses in the body, but that’s not so, according to Laumbach. Gargling or drinking bleach most likely would cause superficial burns in the esophagus.

Is bleach safe to use for disinfecting?

Household bleach is no more effective in disinfecting at higher concentrations than at those recommended by the manufacturer, according to Laumbach. “You should dilute it to prevent irritation of skin, eyes and the respiratory tract. Higher concentrations are potentially harmful overkill.”

Can you soak a face mask in bleach?

Don’t soak your face mask in liquid bleach straight out of the bottle. “Soap and hot water will clean the mask and kill any coronavirus,” says Laumbach, who advises that bleach is not needed to disinfect a cloth face mask. But, the CDC says it’s okay to hand wash a cloth mask in a diluted solution of bleach.

Can you use bleach to clean fruits and vegetables?

Don’t use bleach to clean fruits and vegetables. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reassures consumers that “there is currently no evidence of human or animal food or food packaging being associated with transmission of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.”.

Can bleach be used straight out of the bottle?

Don’t use bleach straight out of the bottle. Household bleach is no more effective in disinfecting at higher concentrations than at those recommended by the manufacturer, according to Laumbach. “You should dilute it to prevent irritation of skin, eyes and the respiratory tract.

How to keep germs out of food?

The best defense against germs in your food is to cook and store it properly or, in the case of fresh produce, to rinse it under cold water for a minute or two. (Image credit: The Kitchn) 5. Never mix it with other chemicals. Never — ever! — mix bleach with other chemicals!

Can you clean with bleach?

Here are five things you should never clean or do with bleach. (Image credit: Amelia Lawrence) 1. Don’t use it on wooden surfaces. While bleach is a good option in bathrooms, Bock says it is not effective at removing and killing mold on wood or wood-based materials such as wallboard, ceiling tiles, wall studs, fabric, and paper products.

Can bleach be used to clean metal?

These are all porous materials that bleach can’t effectively get into or out of to safely sanitize. The same goes for your butcher block countertops, wooden tables, and cutting boards. (Image credit: Emily Billings) 2. Don’t use it to clean most metals.

Can you use bleach to clean stainless steel?

Don’t use it to clean most metals. “Since bleach contains ingredients that serve as oxidants during the cleaning process, materials such as stainless steel can become oxidized and corroded when exposed to bleach,” says Dr. Clint Stevenson, assistant professor of food science at North Carolina State University.

Can you use bleach to clean food?

Don’t use it to clean or sanitize food. While bleach is used in commercial food production to sanitize food, it’s not recommended for us everyday people, basically, because it’s too complicated for laypersons to get the exact proportions right.

Can you use bleach on granite?

(Image credit: Maria Siriano) 3. Don’t use it on granite countertops.

Can you bleach granite countertops?

Don’t use it on granite countertops. Stone is another porous material that can be damaged by bleach, so avoid using it there for your day-to-day cleaning. The only caveat: If you have a set-in stain, like red wine, it might be worth tackling it with bleach to see if you can lift it. (Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

What Happens If You Mix Bleach and Vinegar?

Add vinegar to your list of what not to mix with bleach. Both are effective cleaners individually, but if you mix them together, the reaction creates chlorine gas, which is highly toxic or even fatal. In small amounts, chlorine gas is invisible, but it gives off a strong odor. Potential side effects if you're exposed include:

What Should Ammonia Not Be Mixed With?

Ammonia is a very strong chemical that should always be used with caution, even on its own. Combining it with any other cleaners can make it even more hazardous, so it's best to use ammonia or ammonia-based cleaners on their own.

Is Mixing Bleach and Dish Soap Dangerous?

Adding bleach and dish soap to the same cleaning mixture is potentially dangerous. Dish soap can contain chemicals that cause a reaction with bleach. Combining bleach and dish soap can cause chemical reactions and toxic gases.

Can you mix bleach and ammonia?

Never mix bleach and ammonia as the chemical reaction can create chloramine. This toxic gas can cause breathing difficulties and chest pain. Ammonia is often found in glass cleaner, so never mix glass cleaning products and bleach.

Can bleach be mixed with vinegar?

Mixing bleach with any type of acid — not just vinegar — can create chlorine gas. This can include toilet cleaners, drain cleaners, window cleaners, rust removal products and many other cleaning products that are acidic. The safest option is to use bleach on its own without mixing it with other cleaners.

Is it safe to mix cleaning products?

The ingredients can have chemical reactions that create new, potentially toxic gases that can cause irritation, breathing difficulties and burns. The safest option is to use individual cleaning products without mixing anything together. Some combinations are more dangerous than others, like:

Can you mix household cleaners?

Sometimes, mixing household chemicals isn’t purposeful — such as adding more than one cleaner to the toilet bowl while you're cleaning the bathroom, or mixing a new cleaning solution in a container that once held something different. Many cleaning products also contain a slew of ingredients, so you may want to be extra cautious; you could cause toxic reactions by combining cleaners, even if you're not using straight bleach or ammonia.

Warnings when using bleach

Don’t use full strength bleach from the bottle for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Always dilute in accordance with label instructions.

Suggestions when using bleach

Use bleach as directed on high-touch surfaces throughout the home such as refrigerator handles, kitchen and bathroom counters, toilet seats, and toilet handles.

Sign up for Clorox newsletter

Get cleaning tips, product updates, promotional offers and more to your inbox.

What Is Bleach?

To understand the dangers of bleach, it’s best to first look at its most common uses. To be specific, bleach is a disinfectant and stain remover. Many people don’t realize this, but bleach isn’t intended to be used as a household cleaner, but rather after washing surfaces to remove any germs that remain.

What is the chemical in bleach?

To understand the dangers of bleach, it’s important to know what’s actually in it. After using water as a base, a typical bottle of bleach contains: ( 2) Sodium Hydroxide: This is where the chlorine molecules in bleach are released (when it’s combined with sodium chloride).

What is the best way to remove alcohol stains from a bleach table?

Sodium Chloride: Table salt is another name for sodium chloride. It’s used in bleach as a thickening and stabilizing agent. Sodium Carbonate: This ingredient neutralizes acid and helps to build “cleaning efficiency.”. It’s used to improve the ability of bleach to remove alcohol and grease stains. (9)

What happens when you mix chlorine and ammonia?

(20) At even small levels for short periods of time, chlorine gas causes reactions such as: Ear, nose and throat irritation. Coughing/breathing issues.

What is the process of bleaching?

Throughout history, the process of “bleaching” has been accomplished by a number of methods, the earliest form that of spreading cloth out in an open area of land, known as a bleachfield, to be whitened by water and the sun. This is sometimes referred to as “sun bleaching.” Given the dangers of bleach today, maybe we should have stuck to this method.

How much water is treated with monochloramines?

Oh, and let’s not forget that about 25 percent of US public drinking water is treated with monochloramines. The boiling point of these chemicals is about 75 degrees Fahrenheit and they can be liberated from water over the course of 24 hours or so, so the water you use to rinse your surfaces might contribute to the formation of chloramine gas as well.

Is bleach a disinfectant?

To be specific, bleach is a disinfectant and stain remover. Many people don’t realize this, but bleach isn’t intended to be used as a household cleaner, but rather after washing surfaces to remove any germs that remain. Bleach can be purchased in both liquid and powder forms.

Does bleach damage porcelain?

An expert has claimed that using bleach to clean a toilet 'destroys the porcelain'. A woman shared the advice she received from the professional on Facebook. Some users agreed while others claimed they use bleach and have no problems. By Mary Mrad For Daily Mail Australia.

Does bleach affect glazed doors?

A plumber from Mr Plummer told FEMAIL that bleach 'does have an impact on the glazed finish over a long period of time.'