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AIBU?

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Original poster

To use bleach?

64 replies

stopmefeelingsick · 06/01/2024 08:31

I've just mopped the kitchen floor and used a squirt of bleach in hot water. I know when my husband gets up he's going to make a weird throaty sound and complain about the burning of his throat (it's not that strong but you can smell it)

I've always used bleach, not much, just a drop, as that's what my mum always did. Is there anything better I should use or is bleach best?

I just use it once a week in the loos and every other week on the kitchen floor

OP posts:
Snoozymoozy · 06/01/2024 09:52

Depending on your floor type, what about a steam cleaner? I have a shark cleaner and it leaves my amtico floor squeaky clean

WandaWonder · 06/01/2024 09:51

Coffeespill · 06/01/2024 09:48

What do people use for mould?

Tea tree and clove oil

spanishviola · 06/01/2024 09:50

TooningOut · 06/01/2024 09:41

I mix in a bit of Milton instead of bleach. I really like the smell and it's different to that of bleach.

Agree with what others have said about the environment, bleach denatures and has no ill effect on the environment, zoflora on the other hand kills aquatic life.

And I disagree that bleach or Milton doesn't clean, it flipping does! Try Milton as a compromise? Your husband would hate me I use a mix of bleach and water to clean all sinks and countertops 😂

Milton is a form of bleach.

CranfordScones · 06/01/2024 09:49

For people saying that bleach is made less effective by hot water:

Most bleaches work by hypochlorite and perchlorate ions. I can't see how they'd be destroyed by heat. In fact the heat would speed up the chemical process by which they bleach things, so heat would make bleach more effective.

However, more heat would release more bleach vapour (it's not chlorine gas) which increases the irritant effect so best not to overdo the hot water.

Coffeespill · 06/01/2024 09:48

What do people use for mould?

WandaWonder · 06/01/2024 09:48

I use dishwasher liquid I refuse to buy bleach it's horrible

Coffeespill · 06/01/2024 09:48

TheDandyLion · 06/01/2024 09:13

Bleach + hot water = chlorine gas. And makes the bleach ineffective at cleaning anything.

Edited

Oh gosh. OK thanks that's handy to know

Coffeespill · 06/01/2024 09:47

stopmefeelingsick · 06/01/2024 08:35

@Coffeespill I agree it stinks. I'm guessing possibly bad environmental too? What do you use instead?

I use the ecover or method stuff but even that probably isn't as green as something like bicarb

Hedjwitch · 06/01/2024 09:46

I only ever use the stuff in the loo if someone has D&V in the household. Maybe a bottle a year. I use hot water and washing up liquid for the floor,and spray a homemade vinegar cleaner on stubborn marks.
Havent bought commercial cleaning sprays in years.

FurballFrenzy · 06/01/2024 09:46

Bleach/chlorine gas is a potent trigger for asthmatics and others with lung or respiratory issues. If he is asthmatic I’d stop using it in case it triggers an attack.

Soapy water is more effective for dirt.

TooningOut · 06/01/2024 09:41

I mix in a bit of Milton instead of bleach. I really like the smell and it's different to that of bleach.

Agree with what others have said about the environment, bleach denatures and has no ill effect on the environment, zoflora on the other hand kills aquatic life.

And I disagree that bleach or Milton doesn't clean, it flipping does! Try Milton as a compromise? Your husband would hate me I use a mix of bleach and water to clean all sinks and countertops 😂

msbevvy · 06/01/2024 09:34

I have breathing problems and inhaling the fumes from bleach makes it worse.

I don't know why you ignore your husband's complaint that it burns his throat. There are plenty of alternatives that would not cause such a problem.

People also need to be very careful not to mix bleach with other products as it can cause toxic gases.

Katemax82 · 06/01/2024 09:29

LadyKenya · 06/01/2024 08:53

A cheap disinfectant from either Savers, or Sainsburys. No need to spend extra for the likes of Zoflora.

I was going to say zoflora 😆

HoldMeCloserTonyDancer · 06/01/2024 09:27

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 06/01/2024 08:45

I quite like a faint smell of bleach - reminds me of swimming pools. I realise that is probably a bit odd though.

Snap! Smells so “clean” x

BigFatCat2024 · 06/01/2024 09:26

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 06/01/2024 08:45

I quite like a faint smell of bleach - reminds me of swimming pools. I realise that is probably a bit odd though.

Me too, not because of swimming pools, just because it smells clean

Inertia · 06/01/2024 09:26

For a floor I’d use a detergent based cleaner to remove dirt (Flash etc) to remove dirt, with a capful of pet safe disinfectant.

I tend to use bleach in drains and toilets.

Original poster
stopmefeelingsick · 06/01/2024 09:23

It's more for removing dirt than worrying about germs so I think washing up liquid is the way to go! Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
KeeeeeepDancing · 06/01/2024 09:20

Plus, why are you bleaching the floor? Killing germs is different to removing dirt.

Redlarge · 06/01/2024 09:19

I use it. I prefer it but my friend cant stand the stuff and says it gives her headaches

KeeeeeepDancing · 06/01/2024 09:19

Chemically bleach is basically fine. If it is 'used up' by its chemical reaction then it's not actually sodium hypochlorite anymore. It is a lot less damaging to the environment than other floor cleaning chemicals.

TheDandyLion · 06/01/2024 09:13

Bleach + hot water = chlorine gas. And makes the bleach ineffective at cleaning anything.

WildCherryBlossom · 06/01/2024 09:09

What sort of floor have you got? I use method squirt snd mop for quick freshen ups and flash for a deeper clean. I use bleach for the loo, washbasin, kitchen sink - where I really want to make sure it's clean:

DisplayPurposesOnly · 06/01/2024 09:08

Washing up liquid is great for most cleaning jobs. Seriously underrated product!

Hear hear 👏

LightSwerve · 06/01/2024 09:00

It is bad for lungs, really unhealthy. Many people hate the smell.

I would use a cleaner for the floor - so wash it with detergent.

SomeCatFromJapan · 06/01/2024 08:57

Just use a floor cleaner like Flash, smells much nicer.

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