Bleach is one of the most commonly used household products when it comes to cleaning. It is ideal for whitening, sanitizing, and disinfecting, and can be used for all kinds of household chores around the house. But are we using it correctly? In fact, there is a very common mistake that most people make when it comes to cleaning with bleach.

This mistake is as common as using fabric softener on towels, and this major laundry mistake can ruin your towels. Also, even if you use bleach to clean the best washer and bathroom grout, this habit will make this cleaner lose its effectiveness. Read on to see if you are making this mistake.

Bleach is made from a combination of chemicals and contains sodium hypochlorite as the active ingredient. It is primarily used to remove stains from laundry and does so through oxidation. It decomposes the stain molecules and lifts the stain from the fabric.

The active ingredients in sodium hypochlorite can also sterilize and disinfect, and are effective in killing bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Bleach is often used to preserve whiteness in laundry as well. Bleach removes color from dyed materials, leaving a brighter result. Bleach's uses don't stop there; it can be used for countless chores anywhere in the home, from removing water stains to removing mold. If you often use diluted bleach to clean, there are certain methods you should avoid.

Diluting bleach with hot water defeats the purpose. One might think that hot water is better for cleaning than cold water. However, hot water breaks down the sodium hypochlorite component of the bleach, making it less effective in disinfecting and cleaning. Therefore, for best results, one should stick to using cold or lukewarm water.

When cleaning household surfaces such as sinks and floors, the CDC recommends using 1 cup of bleach diluted in 5 gallons of water. For removing mold, the CDC recommends diluting 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of cold water. If you need to stock up on bleach, Clorox ($17.29, Amazon) is recommended.