If you were born before 1980, it’s likely that bleach was your go-to cleaning product when it came time to clean the bathroom or whiten your whites.
Yet most people don’t realize is that bleach can be quite dangerous.
The fumes can be toxic in certain types of environments (i.e. closed spaces) and it can be dangerous to use if you have children or pets
If you’re wondering if there are any viable alternatives, the answer is a resounding “yes.” Below are just a few of the things you can use in place of bleach.
Pick some lemons
If you’re looking for a safe way to clean your kitchen counters, squeeze a lemon. Put the lemon juice into a spray bottle along with some water, and voila, you’ll have a safe, non-toxic cleaner.
Not only will the solution smell great, it’s a fantastic thing to use for cleaning kitchen and bathroom counters. You can also cut a lemon in half and use it to rub down cutting boards, sinks and toilets.
Vinegar works, too
Sure, vinegar doesn’t smell as good as lemons, but it’s another great alternative to bleach. The reason vinegar is such a handy cleaning product relates to its acidity. You can use a vinegar/ water mix to clean bathrooms and you can also pour some into your laundry.
The latter will help brighten your clothes and it will also remove soap residue.
Behold the wonders of baking soda
If you’re only using baking soda for baking, you’re missing out. When you mix it with water or vinegar to make a paste, that paste can be used to remove tough stains in both your kitchen and bathroom.
And, much like vinegar, baking soda can also be added to laundry, since it will help break down residue. When you add it to the wash, baking soda can also help rid clothes or blankets of tough-to-remove odors. Most cleaning experts recommend adding ½ cup to your laundry detergent.
Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant
Tea tree oil not only smells good, it’s a fantastic disinfectant. If you’re looking for a natural, great-smelling way to clean appliances, your bathroom, your floors or your kitchen counter, mix a few drops of tea-tree oil into a water bottle. Spray what you’re looking to clean and then wipe the surface with a dry cloth.
Do you use any of these cleaning hacks around your home? Tell us your favorite in the comments!
