I’m a laundry expert – the viral bleaching hack that’s actually causing you more harm than good & why you must avoid it
WITH more than a billion active users, TikTok has become the home for millions of viral trends.
From gardening to beauty, it seems like there is one for virtually every aspect of life, cleaning included.
But as viral and promising as these tricks appear to be, one whizz has urged cleaning enthusiasts to think twice about what they see online, as he claimed that one bleaching trend can actually be hazardous.
The hack in question is pouring thick household bleach into the crevices of tiles, making grout fillings bright white, The Express wrote earlier.
While the results look amazing, Deyan Dimitrov, laundry expert and the CEO of Laundryheap, warned that this method can create a hazardous environment in your home.
“Pure bleach is not designed for these surfaces and pouring an unregulated amount onto your tiling can cause more damage than good, dissolving your grout and even discolouring your tiles.
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''Leaving bleach on your tiling for too long may even dislodge certain tiles, causing leaks and even foundational damage if left unchecked.
''Washing large amounts of bleach down your drains can also create toxic wastewater, which can damage the ecosystems that it drains out to,'' he explained.
If not diluted properly, the whizz went on to add, bleach is also a highly toxic substance, making its fumes a hazard for those with asthma.
''If protection such as gloves and shoes aren’t worn, you may encounter rashes, irritation or even chemical burns on any exposed skin.”
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Although the expert advised to steer clear from this viral hack, he said that bleach, when used properly, can be a good grout cleaner.
“For those with particularly stained and mouldy tiles, it can be safe to scrub them with a small amount of diluted bleach and an old toothbrush, before washing off the mixture with hot water.
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“A handy and less toxic alternative to bleach is diluted vinegar.
“I would advise creating a solution of three cups of water, a quarter cup of distilled white vinegar and half a cup of baking soda.
“Scrub this mixture across your tiling, either with a toothbrush or a scrubbing brush, before washing thoroughly with boiling water.”
To avoid this mix being too toxic, it's also recommended using enough water to dilute it.
For grout that's only slightly discoloured, the trick works with a squirt of lemon - this option, he added, will be ''safer'' and ''works as a natural whitener''.
“Make sure you always wear gloves when handling acidic solutions,'' Deyan warned.
“Even if you’re using a brush with a relatively long handle, acidic fumes may still cause skin irritation, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“Regardless of the solution you use on your tiling, the safest way to avoid any damage, to yourself or to your home, is to scrub the surface thoroughly with your mixture, before immediately rinsing with boiling water.
“You want to make sure that you don’t miss any spots, as this will prevent leftover residue from continuing to corrode your grout and tiling, long after you’ve finished cleaning.”
In order to keep the tiles sparkling clean, the expert suggested wiping floor and wall tiles every few weeks.
However, unlike tiles, grout doesn’t need to be cleaned as regularly - in fact, scrubbing it with an acidic solution too often could even cause permanent damage.
“I would recommend cleaning your grout every few weeks, or when it has visibly darkened and begins developing dark spots of mould.
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“To add a pleasant, natural smell to your tiling, you can add drops of essential oils to your scrubbing mixture.
“I would recommend adding 20 drops of lemon-scented essential oil for best results, but you could also opt for lavender, mint, or pine scented drops.”
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