How to safely use bleach on your floors

Most of us have household bleach in our homes, as it is a handy product to have around. It is most frequently used in kitchens and bathrooms, but did you know that it can be used on some types of flooring? It is important to use it correctly and safely and to always dilute it adequately before using it on any type of flooring. Not only is it a great way of disinfecting flooring or removing nasty dirt and germs traipsed in by humans or pets but also it can give stained or dulled flooring a new lease of life. Here is how to safely use bleach to clean your floors.

Only use on bleach-safe flooring

Tiles, concrete and most types of vinyl flooring are all suitable for cleaning with bleach, but keep it away from woods and laminates. While some people do use very heavily diluted bleach to mop wooden flooring and laminate floors, you should never do this unless the manufacturer of your flooring explicitly states it is safe to do so. Using bleach flooring that is not bleach-safe can cause irreparable damage, even if it is diluted.

Dilute to the recommended level

Check the bottle for dilution instructions. While you might be fine using undiluted bleach in the toiler or down drains, you do not want to attempt this on your flooring. You should also only use cold water – bleach should never be used with hot or warm water.

Use only bleach and water

Never use bleach in combination with other cleaning products, or with any products at all. When mixed with other chemicals, bleach can give off harmful fumes. You should always use bleach on its own and in a diluted form.

Don’t soak your floor

If you are using a mop, wring it out before cleaning your floor. You don’t need too much water on the mop – aside from anything else, it will take longer to dry. Mop your floor as you normally would, rinsing it and wringing the mop out at regular intervals. Some experts recommend leaving the bleach solution on the floor for around 15 minutes to give it a chance to kill off all germs, but others proceed to wipe up the bleach as soon as they have covered the whole floor. Empty your bucket and fill it with clean water. Go over the floor once more with the water, rinsing and wringing regularly. You can leave the floor to air-dry – it shouldn’t be wet anyway, just damp – or you can use a clean, dry mop to speed up the drying process.