Stop using bleach: rather try these natural alternatives

Bleach is one of the most commonly used substances in household cleaning chores, where it guarantees excellent results with the laundry and in hygienically cleaning many surfaces (especially floors). However, it is also a very aggressive substance and cannot be used on delicate materials, which could be damaged. And bleach is not environmentally friendly either.

There are therefore many reasons to make more prudent use of bleach: it should not be avoided completely, but rather used sparingly and as a last resort when other solutions do not work. Let's look at some of the alternatives to bleach together:

The most popular bleach substitutes: baking soda and vinegar

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If it's cleaning surfaces, or whitening laundry, baking soda/bicarbonate may be enough for your needs.

In the case of laundry, try adding 6 tablespoons of bicarbonate (bicarb) - in addition to the normal dose of detergent - when you start the wash. You can put the bicarb into the detergent drawer or directly in the drum. When the items to be washed are delicate, bicarb is the best solution.

Something similar, can be done if you want to prepare a product to wash floors, or other surfaces such as worktops or bathroom fixtures.All have to do is to add one or two tablespoons of bicarb to the soap you usually use (or to a mixture of water with a couple of drops of dish soap), and you will now have a multipurpose detergent.

As for vinegar, this has some limitations: it should not used on wood unless it is very diluted, and it should not be used on delicate materials or fabrics. Beyond these limitations, when diluted, vinegar is capable of whitening and sanitizing and is an excellent substitute for bleach.

Other natural alternatives to bleach

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• Hydrogen peroxide (HP): can remove stains and whiten white clothes. Its environmental impact is decidedly much lower than bleach, given that it is biodegradable and oxygen-based. As for the laundry, just add 200 ml to each wash, and it can also be used on colored clothes. HP is also excellent if used for cleaning and sanitizing surfaces at home, especially in the bathroom!
• Lemon juice: you can add a cup of juice to the laundry, after filtering it (but it's better to avoid using it with colored items). For cleaning surfaces, you can use it diluted in water, and perhaps with a little bicarb.
• Active oxygen bleach (or mild bleach): this is excellent for doing the laundry, even with colored clothes. It also works well for washing floors or bathroom fixtures. You must always dilute it with warm water, stirring to dissolve it properly, and that's it! It also smells great, which is nice.

In short, before resorting to bleach, try these more eco-friendly methods!