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The Focus Way · Cleaning guide

Should you leave bleach in your drains overnight?

By the Focus Cleaning team · Published

The short answer

We don't recommend it. Many bleach labels say not to use them on stainless steel, bare or unpainted metal, aluminium or marble, and leaving bleach sitting gives it more time to mark chrome grates and steel. It also doesn't clear a blocked drain. Instead, pull out the hair, scrub the grate with dish soap and flush with hot tap water.

White basin with a wall-mounted chrome tap against a white marble wall

Before you start

What you'll need

  • Gloves
  • A drain hair catcher or an old toothbrush
  • Dishwashing liquid and a soft brush
  • Hot tap water
  • Optional: bicarb of soda, or an enzyme drain cleaner for smells

Safety first

  • Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other drain cleaners. If bleach has gone down recently, wait and flush with plenty of water before using anything else.
  • Use hot tap water, not boiling water: boiling water can soften older plastic pipes.
  • Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaning products. Some combinations release toxic gas.
  • Keep the room ventilated: open a window and run the exhaust fan while you work.
  • Wear gloves, read the label on any product, and follow its directions.
  • Store products in their original labelled containers, out of reach of children and pets.

Check the surface

  • Read the label on your bleach: many say not to use them on stainless steel, bare or unpainted metal, aluminium, marble or chipped enamel.
  • Marble vanities and stone around the basin can be etched by harsh cleaners. Wipe up any splashes straight away.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Pull out the hair

    With gloves on, lift the grate if it comes out and pull the hair and gunk out of the drain with a hair catcher or old toothbrush. Put it in the bin.

  2. 2

    Scrub the grate with soap

    Scrub the grate and the top of the drain with a little dishwashing liquid and a soft brush.

  3. 3

    Flush with hot tap water

    Run hot tap water for a minute or two to carry soap and residue away.

  4. 4

    Still smelly? Bicarb or an enzyme cleaner

    For smells, sprinkle in some bicarb and flush with hot water, or use an enzyme drain cleaner following its label.

  5. 5

    Dry the chrome

    Wipe the grate and taps dry so they stay shiny.

What the Focus team recommends

A quick hair clean-out once a week keeps most bathroom drains running well. If a smell comes back no matter what you do, or water drains very slowly, it's time to call a plumber rather than reach for stronger chemicals.

Questions

Does bleach unblock a drain?

No. It doesn't break down hair, which is the usual cause of a slow bathroom drain. Removing the hair is what clears it.

Why shouldn't bleach sit on metal?

Many bleach labels say not to use them on stainless steel or unpainted metal, and ASSDA advises against bleach on stainless steel. The longer it sits, the more chance it has to mark the finish.

When should I call a plumber?

If the smell keeps coming back, water drains very slowly, or more than one drain is affected.

Sources and further reading

Appliance and product manuals always take priority over general advice.

Last reviewed:

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