To say this even though I will get flamed for it?

[Friendswithwhenifits]

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. However, I am asthmatic. Numerous studies have shown a link between bleach and lung diseases. Thanks to a Christmas Eve bleach the house session I am now on Day 3 of difficulties in breathing.

You are sensible adults, if you feel ill- see a doctor. However, if I help anyone to prevent harming their lungs by switching to gentler cleaning fluids then it will be worth getting my arse handed to me.

Before you buy the bleach ask yourself if a different product might be healthier for you and your family. In these dangerous times, any little change might make a difference.

In case of fumes *

Bleach doesn't clean! It kills germs yes but it doesn't clean anything only bleaches grime so. Surfaces need to be cleaned first then disinfected.

@Mint it was mainly the bathroom to be fair. I had some Flash with Bleach as well that I won’t be using again. Off to Amazon!!!

To look at the product mojo mentioned

On the rare occasion I bleach mould, I shut the door to the room and open the window.
Bleach is horrid stuff even if you don't have breathing difficulties. You stop smelling it after a while and don't realise how much you're breathing.
I was made really poorly at work once by someone bleaching outside the office window. I couldn't smell it, it sort of crept up on me, and started being sick. It was only when a colleague came in and was hit with the smell that we realised what was going on.

@AnnabelDickson - I grew up with my mum bleaching the cups every week! The first few cups of tea after always tasted gross - days before dishwashers to cups washed in sink in luke warm water.

I once read that if the house still smells of bleach an hour after using it then you have used far too much.

I have diagnosed OCD. It’s pretty severe and I’m medicated for it. Centres around cleaning and order. I’ve never been one for bleach. My mum told me that bleach is only for the toilet and I’ve always stuck with that.

My username suggests I like Zoflora and I do but have even cut that right down, being at home pretty much all year i wouldn’t be able to cope with the smell of that lingering as yes I used far too much.

The most effective cleaner is good old washing up liquid, hot water and elbow grease ( not the brand! ) which will pretty much cut through anything.

I’m trying to scale back the amount of cleaning products I have. 2 cupboards fill of stuff for every occasion and I doubt I need to buy anything for another year.

Also- windows open all year round!

Great advice Zoflora! The hypochlorite acid generator looks very good so it’s now in my basket. Mould is the one thing that I can’t seem to shift on the grouting without stronger chemicals

Bleach is unnecessary. I haven’t even got any in the house!

On the rare occasion I bleach mould, I shut the door to the room and open the window

Me too. Open window, spray on bleach, leave room and shut the door. Job done.

Why would you want your whole house smelling of bleach on Christmas Eve?

Bleach should only be used very sparingly, and ideally only down the loo when necessary. I occasionally bleach the kitchen sink but it’s rare.

More fool anyone who uses it liberally- it’s a dangerous chemical.

Also with bleach - any little splash on your clothes while cleaning and they are ruined.

I worked in a retail outlet many years ago and the cleaning lady thought bleach was the answer to everything. She dunked all our mugs in a strong bleach solution one day, didn’t rinse them properly, and made all the staff really ill for a few days.

A close friend is asthmatic and doesn't use bleach because of this. I thought it was well known.

Bleach for black mould and weekly swizz round the loo. That’s all!

So bleach the house actually means put a bit on some mould? Are either of these things tradtional Christmas Eve activities

Yet another MN memo I didn't get

@Friendswithwhenifits, RE the hypochlorite acid generator, beware of cheap versions.
forum.buildhub.org.uk/topic/14105-making-hypochlorous-acid/

You know the active ingredient in bleach is chlorine, right? I worry how many people mix cleaning products without thinking and use them without reading the label. These things have COSHH data sheets for a reason.

I thought this was fairly well known about bleach?

I don’t use any cleaning products that are harmful to aquatic life, luckily there are more product options now.

zoflora is no better than bleach, no need to "zoflora" the house either.

Unless you have someone with a severe case of dysentery at home, disinfecting your home is harmful and a complete waste of time.

Well I never knew this particularly about bleach, so really grateful OP.

I do use it very sparingly and only in loo.

What about the kind of chlorine you get in pools?

I did read recently about effect of aerosolised cleaners (any spray, kitchen bathroom, polish) on lung tissues, esp women’s.

This could explain why my asthma got so significantly worse after having kids - at home cleaning SO much more (previously worked in an office with a cleaning team and had a weekly cleaner at home - so personally was obly really exposed to washing up liquid.

My mum used to "bleach the house" our house used to smell like the swimming baths . She has since stopped when she discovered better cleaning products. I didn't think anybody did it anymore it has been known for years how bad it is for your lungs. I put it down the toilet and that's it !

I lie I do my bathroom floor with bleach occasionally.

@Friendswithwhenifits

Great advice Zoflora! The hypochlorite acid generator looks very good so it’s now in my basket. Mould is the one thing that I can’t seem to shift on the grouting without stronger chemicals

So you won't use bleach now but you will use a hypochlorite acid generator?

Do you know what is in bleach?

What about the kind of chlorine you get in pools?

It is balanced DH used to work in school swimming pools it's all about the mixing and the face maskUsing bleach in the home is usually not diluted properly and used it close contact and no ventilation.