This score is a ranking based on how natural,
eco-friendly, and non-toxic a product is, and is rated out of a possible total 5 stars.

STARS: 4 out of 5 stars for naturalness
COMMENTS: Hydrogen peroxide is the natural alternative to chlorine bleach (which can have very toxic effects to both people and the environment). Hydrogen peroxide is safe (you can even gargle with it to treat a sore throat) and breaks down into water over time.

The problems with bleach arise when it is not diluted as directed, or when it combines with certain substances, like ammonia. A bleach solution that is too concentrated poses a serious environmental threat to waterways, and if bleach comes into contact with ammonia, it will react and create fatal fumes known as chloramines. (Remember that both urine and many toilet bowl cleaners contain ammonia, so bleach should not be used to clean a toilet!)

Other substances that produce toxic by-products when mixed with bleach include: hydrogen peroxide, acids such as vinegar and drain cleaner, insecticides, and oven cleaner.

Even though bleach eventually breaks down into salts and water, if it happens to come into contact with any of the above substances before it has a chance to break down, the reaction produces toxic gases and/or by-products. Obviously there is very good chance that if you are adding bleach into your sewer system, it may react with one of those substances, even if it was not from you, but from someone else. This is one of the major probleams with bleach that I see, and one of the more compelling reasons to switch to hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners.

To read more about some substances that react with bleach to produce toxic by-products, CLICK HERE.