Bleach is a well-known and widely used cleaning solution. However more and more cleaning companies advice their customers to avoid using it. Why is that, you ask? Well, we had a friendly chit-chat with the cleaners working for one such company in Oxford, and they told us all about the dangers of using bleach. What Is Bleach? Let’s start from the beginning. What exactly is bleach and why we use it in our homes? The name “bleach” stands for any chemical solvent used for disinfection, whitening fabrics and removing stains.
There are many brands with slightly different ingredients, but the majority of the domestic used solutions are chlorine based. This is a big problem. Chlorine in its pure form is a highly toxic corrosive gas and of course, it is lethal. For the past 200 years, people have used bleach under one form or another as a cleaning detergent both in their homes and in industrial facilities. Thankfully nowadays many companies offer to their customers Bleach-alternatives.
Cleaning with Bleach Can Harm Your Health After we established what exactly is bleach, let’s look at the unpleasant consequences its use may have on your health. The fumes this chemical emits may cause serious poisoning with severe headaches, nausea and vomiting. You can also experience some pulmonary spasms. You can develop soreness of the eyes and conjunctivitis. If bleach gets into your eyes, the tissues suffer extensive damages.
There is even a chance of permanently losing your sight. Lung problems and even internal organ bleeding or failure. In addition, chlorine-based bleach can cause irritation of the skin and severe rashes. If you are pregnant, you must avoid using this chemical in your home at all cost. It is worth mention that bleach is equally dangerous to the health of your pets. This chemical is potentially lethal and should be used with utmost attention.
Alert: Bleach is an extremely hazardous chemical that needs to be kept away from children. Do not clean your Oxford home with it while your little ones are running around. Always put the bottle in hard-to-reach place and if you can, keep it locked up. Using Bleach in Your Oxford Home There are a couple of basic mistakes people make when cleaning their homes with bleach. If you have decided to use this solvent, avoid the following: Mass cleaning – Bleach is a solution made for disinfection.
It is not for everyday use and casual washing of the floors; Mixing with other product – Unless you want to end up in the ER, avoid using bleach with different solvents. You can have an unwanted chemical reaction and danger yours and your family’s well-being; Barehanded – There is a reason why all professional cleaning services are performed with special equipment. When washing and wiping surfaces in your Oxford home, always wear gloves and preferably a face surgical mask pattern.
After we established the most basic cleaning mistakes, it is time to check what we should avoid washing with bleach: Kids toys or clothes – It is a big no-no using this chemical around children, and especially on surfaces and materials they can easily put in their mouths; Worktops, kitchen appliances – Avoid using bleach around food or the place you dine.