Toss It Tuesday: Bleach #tossittuesday

Yep, you read that right. We never use bleach for cleaning.  The risks are too high and there are better safe, green cleaning options out there.

Why Toss It?

Bleach is a common generic name for sodium hypochlorite and because a household name in the US in the 1980's as a cleaning option kitchens and bathrooms and whitening clothes. 

Would you drink bleach? Would you let your kids drink bleach? Of course not! But, trace elements of anything you clean with are going to be left on surfaces and toys which then get touched (or go into baby's mouth more often than not). 

The chemicals in bleach have a history of damage to lungs, eyes and skin. That burning sensation and smell you get after cleaning with bleach has unfortunately been marketed as "clean" and "disinfected" leading you to believe that the germs are gone. Instead that burning feeling causes respiratory damage and is especially bad for those with asthma and allergies. 

But, the biggest reason to toss the bleach is that it's not a great cleaner. Surprised? Yep, the chemicals are "bleaching" the dirt and grime making surfaces look clean when they really aren't. 

What to use instead?

Soap, Vinegar, Baking Soda. Yep, that's all we use. Next time you're at the store grab a $2 gallon of white distilled vinegar and keep it around for some extra deep cleaning. Here's the run down of how we use it:

Toys: Fill the sink with water and a few pumps of our Everything Soap. Add a 1/2 cup of vinegar and let them soak for a few minutes, then give them a quick scrub with a natural bristle brush and rinse. No dangerous trace chemicals here.

Surfaces: Our All Purpose Cleaner spray will handle just about any dirty surface, even the bathrooms. Need more deep cleaning power? Add a sprinkle of baking soda, then spray with All Purpose Cleaner and scrub.

Sinks: Yep, this is one of the dirtiest places in the house. Sprinkle it with baking soda and let it sit for a few minutes. Then use a few squirts of Everything Soap on a natural bristle brush and give it a scrub. 

Laundry: Add a 1/2 cup of vinegar to the pre-soak in your washing machine and a 1/8 cup of backing soda into the wash for a brightening boost. 

Here's the safe cleaning, friends.

Rachel