Many times we have been told that cleaning with hot water is better because it disinfects more, since with the temperature of the water we are able to eliminate bacteria. Remember that hot water is not good for all surfaces, nor should it be mixed with any cleaning product, such as bleach. We are going to explain the risks behind this innocent act.
Hot water is very important in our day-to-day life, since thanks to it we can cook, and we can also shower without freezing to death in the middle of winter. But water is also essential to clean the house, especially the floor.
It should be said that, if our floor is made of wood or parquet, the hot water does not do it any good, on the contrary, it will suffer in the short and long term. However, if we have stoneware or stone floors, hot water is perfect for descaling and recovering its beauty. On the other hand, ceramic and marble floors can be used interchangeably, since both are easy to clean, except for the clay tiles where the stains are very marked and you need bleach and hot water, always with gloves, good ventilation and without exceeding the amounts of bleach.
Hot water and bleach, a toxic mix
If the water is very hot and is mixed with sodium hypochlorite (bleach), the latter volatilizes faster creating a kind of toxic vapor than if it arises in a very small and closed room, such as a bathroom, for example, those gases (chlorine gas) we can inhale them and cause irritation in the respiratory tract .
In addition, when using hot water, the chlorine (chlorine gas) evaporates and the bleach loses its disinfecting power. The good thing about this product is that it is capable of breaking the chain of bacteria, hence it is considered a good disinfectant. The water where we put the bleach should never exceed 29 degrees, if it exceeds 30, the chlorine evaporates and the problems that we have already mentioned above arise.
If we use bleach, the water should always be at room temperature, or cold. We must use gloves to handle it or scourers with a stick, but it is always better to use gloves . In addition, the area where we clean must be properly ventilated, that there are no children, barefoot people, or animals.
Bleach does not clean
Remember that this product is not used to clean, only to disinfect, so we must use more scrubbers than bleach so that there are no marks, fingerprints, or dirt. Or, clean first with bleach, and then go over with scrubber.
Let’s not forget that the sanitizing power of bleach only lasts for a few hours, 3 at the most, so it should be used immediately. We mean that it is not a good idea to leave the mop bucket with water and bleach standing there for days, since after those 3 or 4 hours, it will have decomposed and will have lost its effectiveness. What’s more, if that cube is outdoors or exposed to the sun and drafts, its decomposition will be more accelerated.
We recommend using non-toxic disinfectant products to clean the house, so that they do not endanger our respiratory tract or the health of any member of the family, including cats, dogs, and other animals.
