Bleach is used for so many different jobs that it is hard to imagine not having any in your home. While bleach may be rather inexpensive and effective when it comes to cleaning certain things, it can also be harmful to your family, pets and the environment. Overexposure to bleach can cause irritations to your skin, eyes and even lungs. Bleach can also trigger an asthma attack for individuals who have asthma. In fact, if mixed with certain other household cleaners, bleach can actually create toxic fumes!

Luckily, there are a few natural alternatives to bleach that can be just as effective at getting certain jobs done. Not only are these alternatives effective but they are safer for your family and the environment. Here are a few examples.

“Vinegar”- Ahh yes, vinegar. The “do it all” cleaner is a great alternative to bleach when it comes to sanitizing and disinfecting countertops. Vinegar actually kills E. coli and salmonella, which makes it a good choice for kitchen counters. Just mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and go to town (adding baking soda to the mix works well on tile).

“Hydrogen Peroxide”- Hydrogen peroxide may not be the best alternative for sanitizing countertops, but it can be used as bleach alternative for your laundry. A cup of hydrogen peroxide will help brighten your whites, and is not a threat to the environment.

“Tea Tree Oil”- Everyone knows how effective bleach can be when it comes to killing mold and mildew, but tea tree oil can be just as effective. By mixing a couple of tablespoons of tea tree oil to two cups of water in a spray bottle can give you an effective mold and mildew killer. The down side to tea tree oil, however, is it can be a little expensive and has a very strong smell.

All of these are safe and effective alternatives to bleach.