Six things you should never clean with bleach

Bleach is a common go-to product for cleaning, especially in really germy areas like the bathroom.

But using chlorine bleach to clean some things could be doing more harm than good by damaging or staining surfaces.

This is what one woman discovered after using "pure bleach" to clean her toilet only to find it had been stained yellow.

READ MORE: Five things you should never clean with baking soda

She posted about the bleach staining in the Facebook group Mums Who Clean to ask for advice on how to remove the stains.

While the group had plenty of suggestions, with Napisan proving effective in removing the stains, some members revealed that bleach shouldn't be used to clean the toilet at all.

"If you put bleach on any white plastic they will yellow. I learnt the hard way and accidentally turned our laundry basin yellow," one commented.

"I had the same problem. Was advised by a rep at Reece Plumbing that after using bleach over several years the coating has been affected. I had to replace two seats," another said.

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It turns out manufacturers actually warn against using bleach to clean toilets.

"Particularly on toilet seats, as they are plastic, harsh chemicals will cause them to discolour and abrasive cleansers will scratch the surface not only causing damage but creating an area for bacteria to latch on to," Master Bathrooms and Kitchens explained on their website.

Instead we're encouraged to use a cloth and detergent to clean toilets, and if you're concerned about germs you can use an anti-bacterial spray.

The revelation we can't use bleach to clean the toilet begs the question, what else can't we clean with the product?

Wooden surfaces

There are two reasons you should steer clear of bleach on things like wood furniture. One is that it can weaken the wood and the other is that it can discolour it.

And because wood is porous the bleach will soak into the fibre and you won't be able to get it out.

Metal and stainless steel

The last thing we want to see on any metal surface is rust and corrosion, but that's exactly what can occur if you use bleach on metal.

READ MORE: 9 surfaces you should never clean with vinegar

Stone benches

Stone benches are also made of a porous material so the bleach can damage the surface and discolour it.

Grout

Bleach might seem like a logical product to use on discoloured grout but it can weaken grout and cause it disintegrate.

It can also discolour grout, which is exactly the problem you're trying to fix.

Mould

Contrary to popular belief, bleach doesn't actually kill mould. The reason people think it does is because the bleach stains the mould, making surfaces look clean again when they really aren't. If you do use bleach and mould, it will likely just grow back.

In addition to all those surfaces you shouldn't clean with bleach, there is one important warning you should know about.

Bleach must never be mixed with other cleaning products like vinegar, ammonia and rubbing alcohol.

This is because bleach mixed with other products will create a toxic gas that can cause coughing, internal organ damage and chemical burns.

The only thing you can really mix bleach with is water.