I don’t know about you, but for me, few things are more rewarding than finishing the spring cleaning. As tough as it can be, it’s just SO nice when it’s finished. Everything looks and smells so nice (too bad it doesn’t last longer, huh?). I usually end up buying a few different cleaners when I start my spring cleaning. But plain old bleach is pretty versatile, and best of all, it kills all those winter germs! Let’s take a look some tips for using bleach for your spring cleaning.
1. No Mixing
Never mix bleach with any other household chemical or even just plain vinegar. This can not only lessen the effectiveness of bleach for cleaning and disinfecting, but it will likely cause toxic fumes or adverse chemical reactions. Only dilute bleach with water, but don’t use hot water, as the steam can release more chlorine gas into the air.
2. Protect Your Skin
If your skin is sensitive — and even it isn’t — you probably want to wear gloves when you’re cleaning with bleach. It can be kind of rough on your skin, and the scent tends to linger. If that concerns you, wear gloves.
3. Dilute
Any concentrated bleach should not be used full-strength for surfaces. Bleach is great for disinfecting countertops, bathrooms, and much more. But make sure to check the label for diluting instructions. When you mix up your bleach cleaner, only make what you’ll be using within about 24 hours. After that, the bleach can actually decompose and lose effectiveness, so you should definitely discard the leftovers.
4. Don’t Use on Stainless
You love your stainless steel appliances, but they don’t love bleach. Even diluted bleach can be a little corrosive for your stainless, so you’re better off not to use it there. If you do, just be sure not to let it sit there for long, and rinse it off when you’re done cleaning. Pledge actually works great on stainless steel, though!
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