08/14/2026
More good information about bleach:
Seven Things You Should Never Clean With Bleach
The first thing to point out is, that bleach is technically not a cleaning solution. It’s a disinfectant. So if you’re using standard bleach to clean, then you’re unfortunately doing it wrong.
Now, there are products out there that have cleaning agents and bleach in them, like Clorox and Lysol products. But anything with bleach in it, even if it’s been diluted with other ingredients, will still apply here.
So if you’re using bleach products to clean your or your customers’ homes, then it’s important to know what you can and can’t use them on.
Some surfaces that bleach is great for include high-touch surfaces, like plastic toilet seats and laminate countertops. Seven places you should never use bleach include:
Wood Surfaces
Stainless Steel and Most Metal Surfaces
Stone Surfaces
Grout
Painted Surfaces
Surfaces Where Children and Pets Hang Out
Surfaces Near Plants
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1. Wood Surfaces
Bleach is a basic solution, whereas wood is slightly acidic. For any non-chemistry heads out there, that basically means that bleach can damage the cellular structure of wood, essentially breaking it down.
2. Stainless Steel and Most Metal Surfaces
Bleach is an oxidizing agent, so it doesn’t play nice with most metals. Using it on surfaces like stainless steel can cause the metal to rust over time.
3. Stone Surfaces
For your expensive marble or travertine tiles, never use bleach or anything acidic, like vinegar or lemon. These will damage the surface, with the only way to fix it is to replace the tiles.
4. Tile Grout
Using bleach to clean tiles will break down tile grout over time, which can then make way for mold, dirt, and debris to take up residence. The only way to fix it is to scrape out the old grout and fill it in with new.
5. Painted Surfaces
Painted surfaces, such as walls, should not be cleaned with bleach, even if it's diluted. The bleach will start to erode paint, especially water-based interior paints.
6. Surfaces Children and Pets Use
You might be tempted to use bleach to disinfect surfaces or toys that children and pets use, but bleach can be toxic when ingested.
7. Surfaces Near Plants
Bleach is also toxic to the environment, like soil, waterways, and plants. If you’re spraying bleach solution near indoor plants, remove them completely from the area. For outdoor use, opt for something more eco-friendly that won’t negatively impact the environment.
