From disinfecting and cleaning to whitening, bleach is safe and effective. If you utilize the recommended bleach to water ratio for the cleaning or sanitizing task at hand, you can use bleach all around the house.
You should rinse the surface with water to get rid of bleach residue. You shouldn't leave bleach on a surface without rinsing it after it's had the dwell time to do its job.
When using chlorine bleach, you want to use a full face respirator (vs. half mask) since bleach can affect all mucous membranes. With exposure to either bleach or mold, you need to protect your mouth/lungs, nose and eyes.
Yes, bleach can still be dangerous once it dries. When bleach dries, it can leave behind residue that can still be harmful if it comes into contact with skin or if it is ingested or inhaled (1). It's important to handle and store bleach carefully, and to follow safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
Rinse with clean water. Sanitize in a solution of 1 tablespoon of household chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of clean water. Allow to air dry.
But before you step into your freshly scrubbed bathtub or launch into your skincare routine at your squeaky-clean sink, experts recommend you pause first to give your bathroom some breathing room, especially if you've used potent cleaners to sanitize and disinfect the surfaces.
In a well-ventilated area, bleach fumes dissipate faster, sometimes within just a few hours. In contrast, the smell can linger for days in a closed-off room with no airflow.
When bleach and water are mixed together to create a cleaning or disinfecting solution, the solution is only good for 24 hours. The temperature of the water does not affect the cleaning or disinfecting abilities of the solution. After the 24 hours, the solution begins to lose needed disinfecting properties.
Bleach can irritate the skin and eyes. Breathing in bleach over a long period of time can increase your risk of cancer. A dangerous gas can be formed when bleach is combined with certain chemicals (like ammonia).
Rinse the bleach out of your hair using warm water.
Once you've waited the directed amount of time (which may vary based on the exact product), get into the shower and use plenty of warm water to completely rinse the bleach from your hair.
Hard, nonporous flooring surfaces, especially those in bathrooms and kitchens, can be easily cleaned with a Clorox bleach and water solution. It's as simple as mixing up bleach and water, mopping it on, rinsing it off and letting everything air dry.
Follow these important safety guidelines when using bleach products: Follow the label directions on the bleach product. Check to see if you need to wear any protective equipment, such as gloves or eye protection. Never mix household bleach (or any disinfectants) with any other cleaners or disinfectants.
Acute exposure to chlorine gas initially causes coughing, eye and nose irritation, lacrimation, and a burning sensation in the chest. Airway constriction, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, hemoptysis, and bronchopneumonia may occur. Chlorine irritates the skin and can cause burning pain, inflammation, and blisters.
Always dilute Clorox® Bleach with water first
Properly diluting concentrated bleach ensures that it can be used safely. A little goes a long way, making it very economical.
Sleeping in a room that smells like bleach can cause irritation to your eyes, nose, and lungs.
While the relative effectiveness of alcohol and bleach on bacteria and viruses does not vary greatly, it is important not to mix the two agents during cleaning.
Long-term exposure to low levels of chlorine gas could cause permanent lung disease such as bronchitis and shortness of breath. It can also cause tooth corrosion. Long-term exposure is mostly found in the workplace. No cancer or reproductive effects have been reported from chronic exposure to chlorine.
Sodium metabisulfite is an effective bleach neutralizer. 2.2 grams (one teaspoon) of sodium metabisulfite added to 2.5 gallons of water effectively neutralizes all harmful bleach residue. Sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) is used in spas to lower bromine and chlorine levels.
To ensure maximum safety, always keep windows open for at least 15 minutes after using any type of cleaner containing bleach, and make sure that there is adequate airflow while using such products indoors or outdoors.
“Opening a window, running an exhaust fan, and avoiding the area for at least 30 minutes allows for proper ventilation and improves the indoor air quality,” Jones says.
The simplest thing you can do to get rid of the smell of bleach is open a window to let in fresh air and let odorous fumes escape. Even better, create cross ventilation by opening multiple windows. If the strong odor of bleach remains after a few hours of ventilation, use a fan to push air out.
Once you've finished cleaning, always safely dispose of the bleach solution down the sink or toilet and make a fresh batch each time you clean.