At Ivory Pines, we believe a clean home in Raleigh shouldn’t come at the cost of your health—or the environment. Many conventional cleaners rely on harsh chemicals like bleach, which can cause respiratory irritation, damage surfaces, and pose risks to pets and children. Fortunately, safer and equally effective alternatives exist. Here’s how we clean, whiten, and disinfect—without bleach—using powerful yet gentle solutions like hydrogen peroxide, oxygen whitener (sodium percarbonate), and hypochlorous acid.
1. How to Clean & Whiten Grout Without Bleach
Grout is one of the toughest places to keep bright and clean, but there’s no need for toxic bleach or ammonia to get the job done. We use a highly effective combination of oxygen whitener and hydrogen peroxide to lift stains and naturally brighten tile grout.
What We Use:
- Sodium percarbonate (oxygen whitener)
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Scrub brush
How We Do It:
- Sprinkle a light layer of oxygen whitener directly on damp grout lines.
- Spray hydrogen peroxide to activate the whitening reaction.
- Allow the bubbling mixture to sit for 5–10 minutes.
- Scrub gently in circular motions and wipe clean with a damp cloth.
This process whitens, disinfects, and deodorizes—all without caustic fumes.
2. Mold & Mildew Removal
Mold and mildew love damp, poorly ventilated areas—especially in bathrooms. Instead of bleach, which only masks the problem and releases harmful fumes, we use a three-step natural method:
Our Safer Method:
- Better Life Natural Bathroom Cleaner (or similar plant-based formula)
- Oxygen whitener
- Hydrogen peroxide
How We Do It:
- Spray bathroom surfaces (tile, tubs, walls) with a plant-based bathroom cleaner to remove soap scum and grime. Let sit and wipe clean.
- For visible mold/mildew, sprinkle oxygen whitener on affected grout or corners.
- Spray hydrogen peroxide over the powder and let it bubble for 10–15 minutes.
- Scrub the area gently and rinse with warm water. Optional: Finish by spraying hydrogen peroxide on the grout lines and let dry.
✅ This method kills mold at the root, removes staining, and is safe to use even in enclosed spaces.
3. Disinfecting Without Harsh Chemicals
For everyday disinfecting—kitchens, bathrooms, high-touch surfaces—we rely on hypochlorous acid, a non-toxic, hospital-grade disinfectant that’s safe enough for baby toys but powerful enough to kill 99.9% of germs.
What Is Hypochlorous Acid?
It’s an all-natural disinfectant made from salt, water, and electricity. It mimics the substance your white blood cells produce to fight infection. It’s fragrance-free, non-irritating, and safe to use around children and pets.
How We Use It:
- Spray directly on surfaces like doorknobs, counters, and faucets.
- Wipe clean as you would with any other cleaner—no rinsing needed.
- It’s effective against bacteria, viruses, and even some fungi.
Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be Harsh to Work
At Ivory Pines, we’ve made it our mission to deliver top-tier cleaning in Raleigh without compromising your indoor air quality or your health. Our bleach-free alternatives are tough on grime but gentle where it counts.
✨ Curious what a safer clean looks like in your Raleigh home? Book your eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning service today.