Educate Me, Why is Bleach So Bad?

[mum06]

I like cleaning the dirty areas of my house with bleach. Why is bleach considered so bad?

[lifeguard]

I don't know how accurate this is but years ago I went to a Greenpeace presentation & we were told that the bleach is absorbed by our body in our fat cells. Once there the only way it leaves our body is when we get pregnant & then it is passed on to the baby. Men can't get rid of it at all.

I'm thinking there are some inaccuracies in the description of this process though so hopefully someone else knows more.

[rockportmama]

i thought it was the toxic fumes? Plus killing every single germ in your house doesn't allow baby's immune system to develop and they're more likely to get sick and get allergies?

[margob73]

I think it has to do with dioxins that are released into the environment. Now I'm not sure if that is in its production or use, but I think it is its use because that's why bleached disposable diapers are controversial. It's a really good question!

[jenmary]

Using chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) increases the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) inside your house, especially chloroform and CCl4 (carbon tetrachloride). Gel or thick liquid bleaches are worse than ordinary bleach in making VOCs.

link to study about bleach and VOCs


IMO, bleach should be used in a 1:10 dilute solution for as needed for disinfection (ie., after illness) but not for routine cleaning.

Oh, and dioxins produced in industrial processes is another reason to choose alternatives to bleach. For routine household cleaning, vinegar, soap and baking soda are safe and effective.

[mum06]

Ahh... this is good! Keep the info coming please!

[rockportmama]

Thanks, jenmary!

[glowan1]

So what would you use to clean up doggy diarhhea in the kitchen with a 12 month old in the house?

I want something that will kill the doggy poo germs especially since said doggy poo apparently has some vile germs to make said doggy go poo inside.

[wendinbill]

Originally Posted by glowan1

So what would you use to clean up doggy diarhhea in the kitchen with a 12 month old in the house?

I want something that will kill the doggy poo germs especially since said doggy poo apparently has some vile germs to make said doggy go poo inside.

I would just use vinegar and tea tree oil.

[thixle]

Originally Posted by glowan1

So what would you use to clean up doggy diarhhea in the kitchen with a 12 month old in the house?

I want something that will kill the doggy poo germs especially since said doggy poo apparently has some vile germs to make said doggy go poo inside.

IMO, that is a job where bleach should be used. The small amount of bleach very much outweighs the germ-infested doggy doo in the kitchen.
I use bleach, but very, very sparingly and only for the WORST clean-up jobs. One small bottle of bleach has lasted over 2 years
I don't use it on a regular basis
Most things can be disinfected with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Actually, i should say most things don't need to be disinfected!

[jenmary]

Originally Posted by jenmary

IMO, bleach should be used in a 1:10 dilute solution for as needed for disinfection (ie., after illness) but not for routine cleaning.

including doggy illness