Expert: Henry Boyter - 12/31/2006

Question
What is it about bleach or bleach-based cleaning products that makes it so good at making stuff bright white? Is it actually cleaning the surface, or does it actually go as far as eatting away at that surface? At work I was told to use a bleach on a tile surface only occasionally so I wasn't sure if it caused some damage. Why is it that floor cleaners don't use bleach. I know this is a boring question, but I was just curious. Thanks. :)

Answer
Bleach is an oxidant.  It can react (oxidize) with stains to discolor or remove them, but it can also oxidize the surface the stain is on.  Just like when doing laundry for example.  If you bleach ink on a shirt, the bleach doesn't know the difference between ink, the dye on the shirt, and the material of the shirt.  This is why some fabrics and dyes are "Do Not Bleach".

Now why they tell you this at work would depend on several factors, so ask your boss.  It could damage the surface.  It could also be that the surface is porous and it is hard to get all the bleach back off, so the smell may be the concern.  Bleach will also react with some types of wax and other cleaning agents to smell or cause damage.

Floor cleaners are generally not bleach based, because it would not remove all type of dirt as well.  On floors, you can have everthing from grease to soil.  Bleach will not work well on grease or similar things.