General Overview
- Bleach is regarded as one of the most inexpensive cleaners that are useful in killing germs and disinfect kitchen surfaces. In spite of the fact that bleach is an effective disinfectant, but still it is not considered the best choice as a go-to cleaner when it comes to cleaning kitchen countertops.
- Bleach is one of the strong as well as abrasive cleaners, even when diluted. Therefore, it will not go well with the majority of the kitchen countertops. For instance, counters that are designed of stone materials like concrete or granite are secured with sealants. However, bleach can finally eat through this sealant, which in turn means you will have to re-seal your countertops as soon as possible.
- If you don’t seal your countertops, then the bleach could be very harmful to the countertop itself. Homeowners having laminate countertops may also want to guide the movement or course of bleach. Though laminate is fairly hardy, it’s not the long-lasting substance in the world.
- Bleach can ruin the laminate countertop or can be the reason for the permanent discoloration. Although household bleach isn’t toxic, it can be very irritating for your eyes, mouth, lungs, as well as skin. People with asthma and respiratory issues may be more vulnerable to experiencing irritation from bleach as compared to those without these medical issues.
- Additionally, if you have kids in the house, make sure to store the bleach bottles well out of their reach, as they can be very harmful to human tissue internally as well as externally.
Useful Tips When Cleaning Laminate Countertops Using Bleach
As you know, now bleach is not the best choice as a go-to cleaner when it comes to cleaning kitchen countertops, but still, if you want to clean countertops using bleach, make sure to do it properly. Follow the simple steps mentioned below carefully:
- First of all, go through the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the cleaning process of your countertops using bleach. For the majority of counters, you will find out the cleaning recommendations using non-bleach products. But still, if you want to clean a countertop using bleach without going through the manufacturer’s instructions, keep in mind that you are doing so at the risk of permanently damaging your countertop.
- For cleaning your countertop using bleach, it is important to do a spot test on a small, hidden, or insignificant area of the countertop. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions with regards to diluting the bleach.
- When combined or put together, certain household products can produce, to a very great degree, dangerous gases. Therefore, if you’ve, not long ago, used other commercial cleaners, vinegar, or ammonia on your countertops, then it is best not to use bleach. Otherwise, you can severely injure yourself if you still use bleach.
- Bleach can be very irritating for your lungs and eyes. Therefore, when working with diluted bleach, you need to make sure that your room is well ventilated.
- Bleach can also be very harmful to skin tissue, so you need to wear gloves as well as keep your skin covered when working with it. Apart from this, be extra cautious when cleaning with bleach in order to make sure that you don’t get any in your eyes.
- Keep in mind, bleach is a really strong cleaner, so if you are still going to use it for major countertop cleaning, make sure to stick with milder DIY solutions for daily cleaning. And don’t forget to go through the rule mentioned in Step 3. Go through the storage instructions on the bleach container carefully.