To refuse to buy bleach?

[Eastie77Returns]

First world problem alert.

Our cleaner has asked demanded that I add Domestos bleach to my cleaning products. There's been a bit of an ongoing issue for a while now as I have trialed various eco-friendly cleaning products over the last few months and she generally doesn't like them. I have changed a couple of times in the hope she will get on better with a new range but she has a preference for products that contain high levels of chemicals. I understand they are the go-too products that she trusts but I just don't want to use them.

At the moment she is begrudgingly using the Ecover products I most recently bought. Now she is insisting she needs bleach to clean properly because Ecover doesn't really cut it. I said no as I just can't have it in the house. The smell is one thing but it's so toxic and dangerous (I'm absolutely haunted by an acquaintance whose young child inhaled some). She is a really good cleaner and in high demand. I'm aware she's already given notice to two households on our street because they did not fall in line with her requests (not cleaning product related, something else).

Has anyone used any of the 'natural' bleach products currently out there and were they effective?

It bleaches stains and discolouration

Weird. I would stand my ground on this. I couldn't tell the difference between a counter top or floor cleaned with hot soapy water and one cleaned with bleach.

YANBU for wanting to reduce harsh chemicals in your home.

It removes stains and discolouration from surfaces, grout, plugholes etc

Quite right, Good cleaners don't use bleach
Plus she obviously isn't insured. If she was she wouldn't be using bleach

I don't understand people who employ cleaners who don't have insurance.

Accidents happen and can be extremely costly

I'd be looking for someone else

Largely you are right. But bleach is great down the plug holes when they start to smell, or under toilet rim and so on.

You know that all the "natural" cleaning products you've bought also contain chemicals right?

If you don't want to have bleach in your house that's fine and your choice, but if she feels she can't do her job properly without it you're obviously not a good fit for eachother! Might be time to shop around for a new cleaner.

Yes, I'm aware they are not 100% natural.

Find a nee cleaner. Some specialise in eco friendly product usage.

I don't get any of that though? How are you getting these things stained so badly that only bleach works?

I use bar keepers friend on my kitchen sink for tea stains, and that's about it. A basic scrub with a scrubber and soapy water does for everything else.

YANBU as others have said bleach is not a cleaner - just a disinfectant and a bleaching agent. Most of the time even when it makes stains disappear it hasn't actually stopped the root cause anyway.

Time to get a new cleaner.

I'm all for natural cleaning products wherever possible but I do understand her need for a bit of bleach as nothing beats it for certain jobs.

You said she's a good cleaner so I would just suck it up and buy it, maybe just ask her to use it in moderation if you're worried.

PinkStuff paste, gloves, a power brush and a green scouring pad works wonders for these spots.

Apparently bleach free toilet cleaners are a lot more toxic than bleach.

Sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in most domestic bleaches, also disolves organic matter, so it does rather more than bleach stains!

I’m always using bleach - amazed so many people aren’t.

mostly I use it for disinfectant - it goes in the toilets and round/down plug holes. It stops sealant going mouldy and keeps sinks clean.

but then I’m definitely not prepared to use elbow grease and I’m quite sure my (also very demanding) cleaner would leave if I refused to buy it.

Obvious in what way that she's not insured...? Many policies include it, and y you should be making sure that that they have a "damage to property worked on extension, which I would expect any reputable cleaner to have, and which would cover any damage caused by bleach

I don’t use it, except specifically for bleaching whites once a year and mildew in window corners. Sealant doesn’t really work as it’s in and behind it where the bleach can’t get. I remove the sealant and resell when it happens. Best way to avoid it on the shower/bath is to wipe it dry after use.

I do get build up under the water line of the loo, especially since I swapped to silicone loo brush. Basically you need the power of a nylon brush regularly and/or bleach monthly below the waterline.

Does it have to be Domestos, Would a Tesco value brand be OK for her,

I have a septic tank so bleach is a no, and our house is spotless. A friend actually runs a cleaning company and she won't let her cleaners use bleach because of the risk of damage to some surfaces.

What hygiene risk is there from sink overflows and drains? You don’t stick your hands in them or eat off them. They don’t need to be sterile.

An occasional splash of hot water, or vinegar and bicarb, will prevent any build up and odours.

Bleach kills wildlife.

Well that's not true is it? Clearly OP is concerned about what happens when the bleach goes down the drain - it's clearly not the nicest of stuff to have in the water course. So if she wants to use products that are not as caustic that's understandable. Lots of people are allergic to bleach - and can feel very unwell even from the smell of it.

Not unreasonable to expect a cleaner - who is paid - to use whatever products they are given. If they don't like the products they can resign, or OP can fire them.

She sounds difficult? 😂

Bleach is toxic regardless and shouldn’t be used. She shouldn’t want to use it, as cleaners who do have a higher risk of serious lung disease.https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/11/regularly-using-bleach-linked-to-higher-risk-of-fatal-lung-disease?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

I've had my own house for 36 years. Not only have I never bought bleach (because it's unnecessary), but I've never had a cleaner who requested it.
You are the employer, OP - she either uses the products of your choice, or she looks for another job.

What do you use in your toilets then - i don’t use much bleach but it is put into the toilets and the limescale cleaner contains it too