Bleach is the number one favorite cleaner in Costa Rica. I’m pretty sure I do not need to take a poll on this.

Bleach is used to:

• clean mold off sidewalks
• wash whites
• soak whites
• clean floors
• clean toilets
• clean showers
• wipe down counters
• and clean every other thing that needs wiping down in your home, garden, and garage

I’ve watched my Gringa friends try to gently urge their maids to lighten up on the use of bleach. My attempts of the years usually failed. I wouldn’t buy it for awhile and then like a force pulling over to the dark side, I’d find myself back in the detergent isle, scanning brands. If I bought a brand my maid didn’t like, we’d then have lengthy discussions on the different qualities of bleach and what wonders one brand can do compared to another.

Now that I don’t have a maid, I use no bleach for cleaning. I keep one bottle hidden deep behind the junk of the garage. I think it was a left-over from when I moved into my new home over a year ago. I now refill a bottle of this Ajax cleaner (long since emptied) with vinegar and baking soda with a few drops of tea tree oil or pine scent. Since floors have to be mopped down about once a day to keep the ant population at bay, we go through a lot. Vinegar! Baking soda! Even cheaper than bleach! And as my son scoots across the floor, I don’t worry that a toxic chemical is being absorbed into his skin.

I do see the appeal of bleach - it kills everything in it’s path. And since hot water isn’t available readily, it’s the disinfectant of choice. I’ve heard of maids even sneaking bleach into the house where it’s been forbidden

How does one translate: Go easy on the bleach?

The on-line translator says: fácil ir a la lejía

Here, since all bleach is known as blanquita - a brand name - I would say: Por favor, puede usar menus blanquita?

As long as bleach is in the house, I am not sure it’s possible to use less. The only solution may be to go cold turkey.