answer:i avoid bleach... but that's mostly because i don't like using something so toxic unless necessary. i advise using any sort of mild kitchen cleaner and a soft sponge for general cleaning, and something like CLR for persistent stains. in my house, we have successfully removed very intense stains with s.o.s., ordinary bleach, comet (though you must never mix bleach and comet! deadly poisonous gas can ensue. no kidding), and CLR. YMMV...