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.

I’m asthmatic and only use products in well ventilated rooms.

I would like to think that strong cleaning chemical linked the breathing conditions would be well known but you only have to look across some of the cleaning Instagram posting to see that this isn’t the case. Some many people mix cleaning products.

I use a company called ocean saver. Little pods that dissolve in water. Plastic free too.

I’ve heard that bleach + ammonia=death

I have the same issue with bleach, I'm asthmatic and have allergies to many home or personal cleaning products. Also sensory issues with smell.

We are in a super hard water area and our bathrooms ming like hell. Nothing gets the loos clean except (no pun intended) bog standard bleach. We also have a worsening mold issue.

My parent has to come to do it for me once in a while. It feels impossible.

@Friendswithwhenifits

I’ve heard that bleach + ammonia=death

It makes chloramine gas which is pretty horrible stuff.

I'm extreme. I loved bleach. Now I have damaged lungs. I don't talk about it.

I was always told not to use bleach with my asthma so I never have. It’s one thing the nurses and doctors badger on about here.

@MissBaskinIfYoureNasty

I have to say I don't really understand people who "bleach the house". Bleach doesn't get used anywhere in my house besides the bathroom. I think this Instagram cleaning trend has a lot to answer for in terms of overuse of strong chemicals.

Definitely. Imagine how the poor kid of that hinch woman feels. There must be so many chemicals in that house.

My DS is ridiculously sensitive to chemicals. I have had to completely remove many things from our house but as a result he is much less sensitive to things when exposed outside of our house whereas previously he would often be very ill after going to other people's houses.

We have wooden floors and tiles, he has a futon and sheepswool mattress (pillow and duvet too). Our reclaimed sofa is stuffed with wool and there are no flame retardant on the covering. I wouldn't have voluntarily gone down this route but it was necessary!!!

As far as cleaning goes, we buy from Big Green Smile but as time goes by, we buy fewer and fewer products. We buy large quantities of baking soda, citric acid and white vinegar which removes black mould and lime scale (I buy it in 5l bottles and is from natural not petrochemical sources), I routinely remove all of the water from the toilet bowl and pour a solution of hot water and citric acid to remove any buildup and I use a loo brush to clean the toilet pretty much daily, occasionally sprinkling some bicarb and spray of vinegar to deodorise. I also keep a glass spray bottle with an essential oil and water mix near the loo so those who need to get rid of smells can do so easily. (Thieves oil: lemon, cinnamon, rosemary, clove and tea tree).

Anyone who has asthma should consider 'detoxing' their home environment.

Bleach does not get rid of limescale built-up from hard water; it literally just - well - bleaches it (removes the colour). For the limescale go away, the best thing is to empty half bottle of white malt vinegar into the toilet and to leave it overnight. The stains above the water will come off if you leave toilet tissue soaked in vinegar on top of them.
My cat goes crazy for bleach smell by the way; she rubs her head into our wet hair after we've been swimming!

There are some really great comments on this thread and as I enjoy internet investigation I’m going to look at all of the various products and indulge in some. It’s so easy to get lax and forget the real cost of the things we buy.

I’ve heard that bleach + ammonia=death

Yes chlorine gas is actually classed as a chemical weapon (used in WW1 trenches).

That’s why you shouldn’t mix cleaning products, you run the risk of an uncontrolled chemistry experiment going very wrong and killing you or at least causing massive damage to yourself and others.

Read the label on the packaging, and follow the instructions. Look up the COSHH data sheet if you have particular issues like health etc.

COSHH = Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, the clue is in the name.

@PreyingMantlepiece beyond my trusty vinegar and bicarb the only actual cleaning product I buy is ecover power loo cleaner, I’m in a really hard water area too (I actually used to live on top of an old chalk mine!) and find it busts the limescale if I leave it in overnight

I actually thought Milton was just weak bleach! (And i merrily sterilised my twins bottles!) this thread has been an eye opener...my mum used bleach for everything

Household cleaners are full of chemicals giving off fumes. The same with plug in and reed air diffusers and spray air fresheners.
I dread to think the damage they are doing to people. I find the less harsh ones such as Method really good. I was sceptical that they would do the job at first but they work just as well.

I only used diluted bleach on mould. Very rarely ill use it for stains but it dies ruin cloth
Otherwise I barely use it.

I use Milton to bleach cups and my travel mugs. A quarter of a tablet is enough so a box lasts for ages. Also bleaching my cotton dishcloths.

I would love to see bleach banned, along with "disposable" wipes. No need for either.

Hot water and washing up liquid here for nearly everything. Bit of spray window cleaner for mirrors and indoor windows. Pine loo cleaner. Method floor cleaner for wooden floors. Occasional bit of Mr Sheen when dusting. No bleach, no disinfectant, no Cillit Bang etc. Cloths are cotton dishcloths or old cut up t-shirts that can be hot washed and re-used.

@dementedma

I would love to see bleach banned, along with "disposable" wipes. No need for either.

Agree!

@hm246

I would like to think that strong cleaning chemical linked the breathing conditions would be well known but you only have to look across some of the cleaning Instagram posting to see that this isn’t the case. Some many people mix cleaning products.

I use a company called ocean saver. Little pods that dissolve in water. Plastic free too.

Doesn't Mrs Hinch spray zoflora disinfectant directly onto her bedding or something absurd like this?

The generator thingy actually arrived this afternoon. I've used it on bathroom sinks shower and patio doors. Delighted with it. Very light swimming pool kinda smell off it, the smell dissipated quickly after use. I didn't bother using gloves and my hands smelled normal very quickly too. It was great on the patio doors, they were fairly dirty from the kids but a quick spray and wipe and they were gleaming. My mother now wants me to get her two.

@dementedma

I would love to see bleach banned, along with "disposable" wipes. No need for either.

Bleach has its place. It's fine if people don't go mad with it.

Wipes are good for people like my mum who has mobility problems. They should be biodegradable though!

I rarely use bleach as the smell makes me heave.
My old boss used to use 3 bottles a WEEK bleaching her house!