To think that you don't really need to use bleach for everything all the time?

[SusanMichelson]

I keep seeing people commenting on how often they use bleach in their cleaning routine and I'm really surprised by how much it seems to be used.

I never use bleach unless someone is ill and usually not even then - just a disinfectant spray.

My kitchen and bathroom are lovely and clean. I usually just use a damp sponge or cloth with a bit of washing up liquid or whatever.

I don't get why people think bleach is necessary - and it is so poisonous, not just to us but to fish and so on. It makes me really to think there's so much of it being washed down the plug hole.

AIBU to think it doesn't really make things any cleaner than just soapy water or maybe another less harsh chemical for really tough stuff?

I promise I'm not an eco warrior or hippy. It just never really occurred to me to use the stuff except when we had a superbug and then it was necessary for a few months. Nasty stuff!

I'm picking up some good tips on this thread, some really good ideas for cleaning plug holes and toilets without bleach.

The smell of bleach is absolutely HIDEOUS. I have had to leave houses where I can smell bleach, it honestly gives me the gip and there are very few smells that do that to me.

Yep same here Mintyy. Plus what smell are they trying to hide?

Thanks themustard. I will give it a go. My DH is a fan of the old anti-bac spray but primarily for cleaning the cat's litter tray. It is a kitty friendly one.

Don't like the taste of the sprays if that makes sense? I don't drink it obviously but the particles in the air are horrible

Strong sunlight bleaches the stains from my whites SirCheng (not that I have stains of course !) but I fear you don't experience the phenomena of strong sunlight too often up in your neck of the woods??

artandco thanks, will give that a try as normally use vinegar and that stinks!

Not hideous - lovely. Mmmmm...big deep breaths of the stuff, and all is right with the world

This has been mentioned a few times in the thread, and I must admit, it's one of the (much more selfish than environmental) reasons why I avoid using bleach to clean: I'd be so disappointed if I ruined any clothing with bleach, either during the housework, or because I came into contact with residue. I really love clothes, and probably place far too much value in them, but I'd be gutted if I spoiled a nice top or a dress!

'A bottle of bleach lasts us about 3 years.'

The Mumsnet Chicken of cleaning

My Mum is a very keen housekeeper, I just associate it with her, maybe that's why to me it's a nice smell.

I don't think you are supposed to be breathing big lungfuls of it. That can't be good.

I have never used bleach on my whites - I would be worried about ruining them.

I try the sunlight method but we have had so little of that up in jocklandia that I have forgotten what it looks like!

Not trying to hide anything Sparkling, it's just a lovely clean smell!

Yuck. Mini, it just says 'D&V clear up' to me and I would be refusing any hot beverage offered.

The smell is lovely. My colleagues and I bleach the floor at work twice a week and all love floor washing day. It smells clean.

At work?

Those of you with white sinks / work surfaces - I recommend Bar Keeper's Friend. We have white corian sink and work surfaces and there is nothing so far (tea stains, turmeric, carrot, coffee, red wine, kids doodling with biro) that it doesn't shift. And there's no bleach in it.

I have bleach-based cleaner in the cupboard for if anyone in the house catches a D&V bug, to stop it spreading, as anti-bac cleaners don't kill it. Bleach down the loo a couple of times a month. That's it.

Does that really work on weeds rosesareblack?

Will admit I am one of the bad people who bleach everything from the patio (it looks lovely clean and weed free) to the White kitchen work tops. Love the smell of bleach reminds me of care free summers as a teenager working at water parks.

Yes, at work, especially the changing rooms. Can't risk the floor being manky with all the dresses going in and out of the changing rooms. Nothing brings the floor up like hot water and bleach and we've tried everything

What is this sunlight of which you speak Mintyy? . Bleach works wonders on white cotton - nothing, not even the 'sunlight', bleaches stains out of white cotton as well, or as quickly, as bleach.

No D&V in this house Sparkling - thanks to the bleach

Mmmm. Maybe in a communal place with lots of the public bleach may have a place. Possibly.

There would be vomiting in the house if I came in and smelt the bleach then you would have to get the bleach back out.

sparkling it's a wedding dress shop, lots of semi naked people abd bare feet, plus ivory dresses. bleach is needed.

You'd get a squirt of bleach if you dared to vomit in my house Sparkling

I have the biggest urge to bleach my loos as a result of this thread. Soz fishies

Bleach gets put down the toilet once a fortnight (left overnight).

That's it. I probably buy one bottle every 18 months or so.