Bleach is one of the most corrosive substances on the pH scale that we are able to use. The index for a bleach-based product is between 11 and 13; any more than 12 will require you to wear protective clothing wherever it’s used and always work in a well-ventilated area.

This substance can be dangerous when exposure isn’t monitored appropriately and may damage many types of surfaces, including fabrics; as such, some people choose not to clean with it at all.

On the other hand, because bleach is near one of the extremes of this little measurement tool that ranges from 0 to 14, it does provide an extremely high level of whitening power–significant enough that most stains will disappear following a diligent scrubbing session with bleach.

Oven cleaners are just as alkaline as ammonia, which helps them cut through grease and grime. Extreme care should be taken, though, when using an oven cleaner at the top of the alkaline scale, as they can easily damage your marble countertops

Baking soda is an alkaline substance, but not at the scale needed to make it corrosive.

While baking soda has enough alkalinity to power through grease and dirt (but not enough to do so with ease), it may be a great option for many surfaces in your home because it’s not too powerful.

Most stone cleaners are standardized to be around a 7 in terms of their pH level. Some can range up to 10, so those with sensitive surfaces should be cautious when buying products.

Vinegar, which has a pH of around 3, is acidic and can be used to remove mineral deposits. But many people mistakenly believe that vinegar should always be diluted or avoided when cleaning certain surfaces because it’s acid-based.

It should not be used on stone, marble or hardwood floors because these types of surfaces could suffer permanent damage from an acid cleaner like vinegar.