Is there a good alternative to chlorine bleach for cleaning?
There’s nothing like it for toilets and sinks, but I don’t want to contribute to the problems associated with chlorine. —Jerry Falek, Santa Cruz, CA Dear Jerry: You’re right to worry about bleach. Many household cleaners contain chlorine, though it often masquerades behind aliases such as “sodium hypochlorite” or “hypo-chlorite.” Products of special concern include automatic dishwashing detergents, chlorine bleach, chlorinated disinfectant cleaners, mildew removers, and toilet bowl cleaners. Whether alone or in a mixture of other chemicals, chlorine poses a number of serious health risks, according to Seventh Generation. Breathing in the fumes of cleaners containing a high concentration of chlorine can irritate the lungs. This is particularly dangerous for people suffering from heart conditions or chronic respiratory problems such as asthma or emphysema. And the risks are compounded when the cleaners are used in small, poorly ventilated rooms, such as the bathroom. Chlorine is also a h
