Why you should stop using bleach on your toilet

Laura Hampson
·3-min read
Cleaning the toilet with a bleach
Experts have warned why you shouldn't clean your toilet with bleach. (Getty Images)

Bleach is a common household cleaning product – but using it could actually be damaging for your loo and harmful for your health.

“While effective for killing germs, bleach can etch the porcelain over time, leaving it dull and rough. It can also react with coloured grout, causing it to fade or discolour,” Ryan McNicholl of plumbing parts suppliers Spares Direct, explains.

Instead, McNicholl recommends using white vinegar instead as it disinfects and removes mineral deposits – but warns to never mix this with bleach as this can create fumes.

“[You can also use] commercial toilet bowl cleaners as many are available are safe for porcelain and effective at removing germs and stain,” McNicholl adds.

Along with potentially causing damage to your toilet bowl, using bleach could also be detrimental for your health.

“Bleach can have adverse effects on your health if you do not use it properly,” Abbas Kanani, superintendent pharmacist at Chemist Click, says.

“Irritation in the respiratory system can occur from the fumes from the bleach, leading to symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and irritation in your throat. Your airways can also become inflamed and the development of chronic respiratory problems can happen if you have prolonged exposure to bleach.”

He adds that symptoms can worsen for people with pre-existing asthma and respiratory conditions.

“Chemical pneumonia is a serious inflammatory reaction in the lungs, which can be caused by the inhalation of bleach fumes,” Kanani says.

“Urgent medical attention would be required in these cases. Your skin and eyes can also be vulnerable when using bleach, it can cause irritation, redness, burning and even damage the cornea if splashed in the eye. Bleach should not be ingested, it is extremely toxic and can lead to poisoning and can be life-threatening.”

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Inhaling bleach can exacerbate preexisting respiratory conditions. (Getty Images)

Dr Deborah Lee of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy says that phosphates, chlorine, ammonia and sodium lauryl sulphate are ‘potentially dangerous household cleaners’.

“They may all cause similar effects such as skin and eye irritation, sore throats, headaches and breathing difficulties,” Dr Lee adds.

“Ammonia is particularly toxic and can cause burns, swelling in the airways and even death.

In the UK, since 2015, all cleaning products must be marked with an EU CLP Regulation. Look at the back of the bottle. Look for the corrosive or exclamation mark pictogram. Read the label. Always follow the safety instructions carefully.”

If you do like using bleach as a household cleaner – as Kanani says it can clean bacteria and stains – then you can reduce the concentration by diluting it.

“This can help to reduce the potential harmful effects on your body,” he adds. “Make sure that the room is well-ventilated and wear protective gloves and eyewear to minimise the risk of contact. If the bleach does make contact with your skin or eyes, thoroughly rinse and seek urgent medical advice. Always keep bleach out of reach of children and pets.”

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