NOTICE: PSA regarding BLEACH and STAINLESS STEEL toys!!!

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NOTICE: PSA regarding BLEACH and STAINLESS STEEL toys!!!

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Contributor: LiftedUp LiftedUp
Inspired by earthquakepixie's thread regarding ethanol versus bleach for general toy cleaning solutions, I started to do a bit of research in the differences between them. While doing so, one of the major differences that is repeatedly pointed out, time and time again, is that:

***BLEACH IS CORROSIVE TO STAINLESS STEEL!***

I had no idea until now! From everything I've been reading, it seems that the chlorine is the culprit, and can stain, damage, or cause pitting and imperfections on the surface. I generally don't clean my toys with bleach, so my steel is okay, but I know it's commonly referenced as an available cleaning method for stainless steel. In fact, it's even listed in the EF materials guide for stainless steel.

I went back, and took comments about cleaning stainless steel with bleach OUT of my reviews. Better safe than sorry.

Anyone at EF care to independently verify this and let us know? Should bleach be taken off the list of acceptable cleaning options on EF's guide pages?
09/10/2009
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Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
I use bleach in my stainless steel sink. Have, in my younger days, used plenty of bleach on stainless steel appliances in resteraunts. A ten percent solution, used as we do on our toys, probably isn't going to do it any damage.
09/10/2009
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
Quote:
Originally posted by LiftedUp
Inspired by earthquakepixie's thread regarding ethanol versus bleach for general toy cleaning solutions, I started to do a bit of research in the differences between them. While doing so, one of the major differences that is repeatedly pointed ... more
Many of these concerns (both for steel and other materials) relate to very strong bleach solutions and/or very long contact time. If you clean your toys with soap/water, spray down with 10% bleach solution and then rinse you should be just fine for a long time. Stainless steel is ubiquitous in commercial kitchens, where it is repeatedly sanitized with 10% bleach.

If you are concerned there are other options - glutaraldehyde is commonly used in healthcare, but it is somewhat toxic. Clorhexidine (common name: Hibiclens, also found in other products) will disinfect but isn't strong enough to sterilize, so you'd be best off boiling if there's a risk of disease transmission. If it's a known risk I'd boil in a pressure cooker.
09/10/2009
Contributor: Jimbo Jones Jimbo Jones
Once again, ScottA's got it down pat. The problem with bleach and stainless steel is about strong solutions and/or very long contact times. If one is worried about it, it is pretty easy to boil stainless steel toys instead.
09/11/2009
Contributor: J's Alley J's Alley
Quote:
Originally posted by LiftedUp
Inspired by earthquakepixie's thread regarding ethanol versus bleach for general toy cleaning solutions, I started to do a bit of research in the differences between them. While doing so, one of the major differences that is repeatedly pointed ... more
ScottA has is absolutely correct. Stainless steel will corrode, but it takes more than 60 seconds in a 10% solution to do so. Now a 10% solution WILL corrode your steel toys if you, say, drop them in a bucket for 30 minutes to soak. That would be a very bad idea.

I would say to address this in your reviews if you include bleaching as a form of cleaning because some people do that. I personally will not leave any metal in a liquid for a long period of time, but that's just me. Plus those people who have never used toys and buy their first one may not know better. This is an excellent question and point to bring up though, if not just for education.
09/11/2009
Contributor: oliverHyde oliverHyde
Is there somewhere to get a table of how long you have to soak something in 10% bleach to make it sterile?
09/14/2009