Bleach has been a favorite household cleaner, especially in the bathroom. Though it keeps sinks and bathtubs and other porcelain fixtures spotless and germ-free there are a few green cleaning products that you can use instead
Most bleach contains chlorine, which has powerful whitening and antimicrobial properties. However, its impact on your bathroom comes with negative consequences for you and the environment.
- When used with vinegar or ammonia, it can emit toxic gases.
- Industrial-grade solutions emit air and water pollutants that kill off land and aquatic life.
- Anyone who swallows or touches bleach can suffer major health problems, some of them fatal.
Luckily, there are other ordinary cleaning products you can use to disinfect the bathroom in a way that is safe to your health and the environment. Here are some of them:
Hydrogen Peroxide: People have been treating cuts and scrapes with this product for years, and its antibacterial properties also make it a safe way to sanitize your bathroom. Hydrogen peroxide also has the great whitening effects, but without the toxic fumes.
White Vinegar: Normally used as a cooking ingredient, vinegar is a mildly acidic natural product that is great for killing germs in your bathroom. It also has an unpleasant smell, however, so if that bother you, mix the vinegar with warm water, or add a few drops of lemon juice to create a fragrant bathroom cleaner.
Baking Soda: Sodium bicarbonate (the chemical name for baking soda) is used for everything from cooking and extinguishing grease fires to brushing teeth and curing indigestion. It also neutralizes odors and controls fungus growth, making it a perfect cleanser for use in the bathroom.
If you want to eliminate the risks associated with chlorine bleach, use these other common eco-friendly cleaning products to keep your bathroom spotless all over.