Putting bleach on your bed can have a variety of effects, depending on the type of bleach, the amount used, and the materials the bed is made of. Bleach is a powerful cleaning agent that can help sanitize and disinfect, but it can also cause damage if used incorrectly.
Effects of Bleach on Different Bed Materials
Beds can be constructed from a range of materials, including:
- Wood
- Metal
- Fabric
- Leather
- Polyester
- Cotton
- Latex
The effects of bleach will vary depending on what material your bed frame, headboard, mattress, sheets, and other bedding are made from.
Wood
Wood beds and bed frames may see color changes or light discoloration from bleach. The bleach can react with the wood finish and cause fading or stripping of the stain/paint. It likely won’t damage the integrity of the wood, but may leave unsightly marks.
Metal
Metal bed frames are very durable, but repeated bleach exposure over time could potentially start to corrode and degrade the metal. The metal could become pitted or rusted. However, a one-time bleach application is unlikely to cause substantial damage.
Fabric
Bleach can act as a whitening agent for whites and color-safe bleaches may brighten and lift stains on fabrics. But chlorine bleach can also strip color from fabrics, potentially leaving behind splotchy light patches. It could even weaken or dissolve delicate fabrics like silks or lace.
Leather
Leather is porous and bleach can be readily absorbed. Even a diluted bleach solution is likely to alter leather’s color and texture. It may cause drying, cracking, peeling, hardening, color loss, and potentially corrode the finish of treated leathers.
Polyester
Polyester bedding is a synthetic fabric that is colorfast and bleach-resistant. A diluted bleach solution can often safely be used to remove stains and disinfect polyester sheets or comforters without harming the fabric. But very high concentrations could potentially weaken fibers over repeated use.
Cotton
Cotton bed sheets and covers can typically withstand occasional diluted bleach washes to remove stains, whiten, and disinfect. But cotton will break down with repeated bleach exposure. Over time, bleach can destroy cotton fibers, causing tearing, holes, and a worn look.
Latex
Latex mattresses and pillows are durable, but latex is still an organic material that can be impacted by harsh chemicals like bleach. The bleach could cause swelling, shrinking, cracking, or discoloration of the latex. It’s best to spot clean stains on latex with mild detergent.
Amount of Bleach Used
The amount of bleach applied to a bed will change its effects. A few key factors include:
- Diluted vs concentrated bleach
- Spot cleaning vs soaking
- Light misting vs heavy saturation
Using a highly diluted bleach solution is less likely to cause damage than concentrated, undiluted bleach. Spot treating a small stained area is safer than soaking the entire bed in bleach. And a light misting will be less problematic than pouring bleach directly on and saturating the bed.
Diluted Bleach
Diluted bleach contains roughly 1 part regular 5-6% household bleach to 9 parts water. This gives a 0.5-0.6% sodium hypochlorite solution. At this concentration, it can disinfect and remove stains from most washable fabrics without bleaching or damaging them.
Concentrated Bleach
Concentrated bleach solutions above 1% sodium hypochlorite can rapidly damage fabrics, discolor surfaces, and corrode materials. Anything above 5% is considered highly caustic and dangerous to use without proper gloves, eye protection and ventilation.
Spot Cleaning
Spot cleaning with a dilute bleach solution may brighten, disinfect, and remove stains from a small area of bedding or an isolated stain on a mattress. This targeted approach is unlikely to harm the bed’s overall integrity.
Soaking
Soaking bedding, mattresses, or entire bed frames in bleach solutions can expose all materials to extended, repeated, or excessive bleach contact. This increases the likelihood of lightening, wars, corrosion, and degradation.
Misting vs Saturation
Lightly misting bedding with a bleach solution allows controlled application to target just stains. But saturating the fabric causes greater penetration and absorption throughout fibers, which can increase damage.
Bleach Types
There are several common bleach varieties for household use:
- Chlorine bleach – sodium hypochlorite
- Oxygen bleach – hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate
- Chlorine-free bleach – sodium perborate or sodium peroxide
Each bleach type has different active ingredients, uses, and effects on fabrics and surfaces.
Chlorine Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite)
Chlorine bleach, like Clorox, is the strongest and most damaging type of bleach. It works by producing hypochlorous acid which destroys stains, whitens, and disinfects. But this harsh acid can also weaken or dissolve fabrics with repeated use.
Oxygen Bleach (Hydrogen Peroxide)
Oxygen bleaches are gentler than chlorine bleach. Hydrogen peroxide helps lift stains and whiten without chlorine. However, at higher concentrations it can still damage fabrics. Oxygen bleaches may also leave behind a strong medicinal smell.
Chlorine-Free Bleach (Sodium Percarbonate)
Chlorine-free bleaches use alternative chemicals like sodium percarbonate to lift stains and brighten clothes without chlorine. This makes them less harmful on fabrics. But they are not as strong a disinfectant as chlorine bleach.
How to Clean Your Bed with Bleach
When used properly, bleach can help deep clean and sanitize bedroom surfaces and bedding. Here are some guidelines for safely using bleach on a bed:
Mattress
- Check mattress care label instructions first
- Spot clean stains with small amounts of diluted bleach
- Rinse surface thoroughly of any bleach residue
- Allow mattress to fully dry before remaking bed
- Avoid soaking entire mattress in bleach
Bed Frames
- Wipe down metal frames with diluted bleach on soft cloth
- Avoid excessive moisture on wood frames
- Rinse and dry frames completely after bleaching
- Test small area first for colorfastness
Sheets, Pillows & Comforters
- Check fabric care instructions first
- Use oxygen or chlorine-free bleach when possible
- Don’t soak fabrics in bleach solutions
- Use lowest effective bleach concentration
- Rinse thoroughly after bleaching
Disinfecting Surfaces
- Clean surfaces first to remove dirt and oils
- Apply diluted bleach solution and let sit 10 mins
- Rinse all surfaces touched by bleach
- Allow to fully dry before reuse
Health Risks of Bleach
Bleach and its fumes can irritate eyes, lungs, and skin. Proper ventilation, gloves, and other precautions are recommended when using it. Key health risks include:
- Eye irritation or burning
- Skin redness, drying, blistering with direct contact
- Respiratory irritation from inhaling fumes
- Aggravation of asthma or breathing problems
- Nausea, dizziness, or headaches from strong fumes
Never mix bleach with ammonia or acids, as this creates a toxic gas. Always use bleach in a well-ventilated area. Dispose of unused bleach properly.
When Not to Use Bleach
There are some situations where bleach is not recommended for cleaning a bed:
- Spot cleaning antique or vintage furniture
- Natural fiber rugs or carpets
- Silk, wool, or delicate fabrics
- Leather, suede, or non-colorfast materials
- Finishes or upholstery with unknown composition
- Beds used by individuals with breathing issues
It’s always best to spot test a small, inconspicuous area first when using bleach on bedroom surfaces or bedding.
Non-Bleach Alternatives
For those concerned about the risks of bleach, there are some non-bleach alternatives for cleaning and disinfecting beds:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Vinegar or lemon juice
- Borax
- Baking soda
- Enzymatic cleaners
- Oxygenated detergents
- Antibacterial soaps/detergents
- Rubbing alcohol
- Tea tree oil
- Steam cleaning
These products can help lift stains, deodorize, and kill germs without the harsh effects of chlorine bleach. However, they may be less powerful at disinfecting and brightening than bleach.
Removing Bleach Stains
If bleach leaves behind white spots, yellowing, or other stains on bedding, prompt attention can help reverse the damage. Methods to remove bleach stains include:
- Vinegar – Helps neutralize and lift bleached fibers
- Hydrogen peroxide – Can reverse yellowing from bleach
- Borax – Draws out bleach stains from fabric
- Baking soda – Natural whitening power removes bleach marks
- Oxygen bleach – May lift residual chlorine bleach stains
- Rit DyeMore – Used to redye fabrics after bleaching
With quick action, most light bleaching or discoloration can be removed or significantly reduced. But deeper damage may be permanent.
Conclusion
Using bleach on a bed has both upsides and downsides. When applied sparingly and correctly, it can sanitize, remove stains, and whiten bedding. But bleach can also damage fabrics and surfaces with repeated or excessive use. Understanding proper dilution, avoiding oversaturation, spot cleaning, testing materials, and taking safety precautions can allow you to use bleach effectively for cleaning beds while minimizing any risks of harm.