Is Homemade Bleach Safe to Use?

Read further for detailed insights.

Ever wondered why bleach comes in coloured bottles? It’s because sunlight degrades bleach, making it less effective. If you decide to follow the homemade bleach recipe below, make sure you store it in an opaque container, or cover the bottle securely with a paper bag.

What is Bleach?

Bleach is one of the cheapest and most commonly used home-cleaner out there.

Bleach has often been misunderstood as a chlorine-based solution. However, in reality, it is a mixture of chemicals that is manufactured to perform two main functions: killing bacteria & removing colour.

The base elements in most of the commercial bleaches are usually- chlorine or hydrogen peroxide (sometimes known as oxygen bleach).

Intrigued to know more? Find the detailed information on uses & ways of bleaching; in this article.

Can I Make Natural Bleach at Home?

You will most probably have the all the ingredients that kill bacteria and remove colour in your kitchen. eg., vinegar, bicarbonate soda, lemon juice, citric acid etc.

So yes, you can make natural bleach at home.

Apart from the ingredients mentioned above, the most naturally available bleaching component is Sunlight! You might already know this if you’ve ever left a black shirt out in the bright sunlight by mistake, it fades the colour quickly over time.

What’s in a Homemade Bleach?

If you are the one who has already researched the process of making bleach at home, you must be aware that the so-called “homemade bleach alternatives” contain hydrogen peroxide.

In practicality, homemade bleaches are not the ‘alternatives’ to the commercial ones. Also, coming to the effectiveness of the homemade bleaches, they are relatively less -compatible & -concentrated than the commercial ones, as they are natural.

However, if you are drawn towards the idea of trying homemade bleach, there is no harm either! To make homemade bleach, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 180 ml 3% hydrogen peroxide

• 60 ml lemon juice

• 170g baking soda

• 7 l water

• 10-15 drops essential oil

Pour this mixture into a durable plastic container and shake it well for the mixture to blend. Spray onto the surfaces you want to clean or add 240 ml. to a load of white laundry.

Note: If you want to wash colours, make sure you do a patch test on an inconspicuous part of the garment.

Is Bleach Safe to Use?

Bleach is a very harsh chemical indeed. But that doesn’t make it unsafe to use. One must remain careful & take safety measures while using it.

• Points to remember while using bleach- Commercial or Homemade:

• Wear gloves to protect your skin

• Store it in a safe place; away from children & pet

• Always avoid mixing it with other cleaning chemicals as it could create toxic gases

If you’re sceptical about the idea of making & storing this naturally made bleach in your house, you can always avoid that option. Many reputable brands like Domex offer cleaners that contain gentler & safer ingredients.

Ultimately, the choice between using a commercial and a homemade bleach is a personal one.

Key Steps

Here are a few points to remember when making bleaching decision:

• Always protect your skin when trying to make bleach at home

• Make sure your surfaces can withstand bleach by patch-testing a small area

• Keep it out of reach of children

• Do not mix it with other chemicals as it could create toxic gases

• If in doubt, go for a branded bleach product like Domex