What Is Oxygen Bleach?

Bleach is recognized for its strong cleaning and stain-removing capabilities. It is known for whitening laundry and cleaning various areas of the home. If you’re like most people, bleach is synonymous with chlorine bleach in your head.

However, oxygen bleach has similar properties with a different chemical composition. What should you know about oxygen bleach?

What Is Oxygen Bleach?

Oxygen bleach is also known as chlorine-free bleach or oxygenated bleach. You can find it at your local store as a liquid or a dry powder. There are three main types of oxygen bleach.

These are hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate and sodium perborate. Some oxygen bleach products may have fragrances, anti-caking elements or dyes.

Is Oxygen Bleach Safer Than Chlorine Bleach?

While chlorine bleach produces results in a matter of minutes, oxygen bleach requires more time to work. However, chlorine bleach has an overpowering scent. It is known for ruining fabric and damaging various types of surfaces in a home.

In addition, chlorine can burn your skin. It is harmful to inhale and can cause damage if it splashes in your eyes.

Oxygen bleach, on the other hand, is a plant-based product that is natural and safe. While it takes longer to work, it does not have all of the concerns that are associated with chlorine bleach.

Is Oxygen Bleach As Effective As Chlorine Bleach?

Oxygen bleach cleans, softens and whitens through an oxidation process. As oxygen is released from the bleach, it lifts out dirt, residue from laundry detergent and fabric softener, and stains.

In addition to using it in your laundry machine, oxygen bleach is effective at cleaning upholstery, carpeting and other surfaces. These are materials that chlorine bleach would typically damage.

Oxygen bleach is also safe for the environment and can be used on colored clothes. Oxygen bleach is just as effective as chlorine bleach, and it is safer and useful on more surfaces.

Be aware, however, that oxygen bleach is less effective as a disinfectant. It is most commonly used for cleaning and whitening purposes.

Liquid or Powder Oxygen Bleach. Which Is the Better Choice?

Both liquid and powder bleach are effective at cleaning and softening your laundry. Generally, powder oxygen bleach will last longer when stored, so it may be a better choice for many people.

What Does Oxygen Bleach Do?

The dry powder format of oxygen bleach undergoes oxidization when it gets wet. This oxidation process is what gives oxygen bleach its strong stain and soil-fighting properties. This same process removes buildup in clothes from fabric softener and detergent. By removing the buildup, oxygen bleach softens clothes and brightens colors.

Boost Laundry Detergent

Before putting your clothes in the washing machine, add a tablespoon of oxygen bleach to the machine with your laundry detergent. This gives your detergent an extra boost of cleaning power and can remove more dirt and residue than detergent alone.

Remove Clothing Stains

If you are dealing with a tough stain, pre-treat the clothing with oxygen bleach. Mix a half tablespoon of oxygen bleach with 16 ounces of water. Let your solution sit on the stained area for five minutes before tossing the garment in the washing machine.

Brighten White Clothes

Oxygen bleach is effective at removing residues from fabric softener and laundry detergent from your towels, bedding and clothes. These residues cause fabrics to look discolored and dull. By removing the residues, oxygen bleach brightens your laundry.

Remove Carpet & Upholstery Stains

Chlorine bleach should never be used on carpet or upholstery as it will cause permanent discoloration. Oxygen bleach is a color-safe bleach, so it generally can be applied to stains on upholstered furniture and carpet. However, you should research the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding bleach and test a discreet area before using it in a highly visible area.

Clean Grout

Grout is a hard yet porous surface that can build up dirt, soap residue and other elements in its tiny crevices over time. When this happens, your grout can look discolored, and your shower and tub surround will look filthy even after cleaning it. To clean grout, spray a solution of oxygen bleach and water onto the surface. Let it sit for five minutes. Then, use a toothbrush to scrub the grout. Rinse the grout after cleaning it.

Safety Tips When Using Oxygen Bleach

While oxygen bleach is a powerful cleaning aid, there are a few tips to follow:

• Ensure that your hands are dry before using oxygen bleach.
• Keep powdered oxygen bleach in a completely dry area, and close the lid tightly.
• Do not use oxygen bleach on silk, wool or other fine fabrics.
• If you mix oxygen bleach with water in a spray bottle, do not close the lid tightly. This is because the oxidation process will continue. As this happens, pressure will build in the container.

FAQs

Is Borax an Oxygen Bleach?

Borax is a strong cleaning agent, but it is not oxygen bleach. It can be used for both cleaning and whitening laundry.

Is Oxygen Bleach the Same as Oxiclean?

Like oxygen bleach, Oxiclean uses the power of oxidation to deliver powerful results. Some of the cleaning products produced by this brand contain oxygen bleach.

Is Oxygen Bleach Safe for Colors?

While chlorine bleach will damage colored fabrics, oxygen bleach is typically safe to use on colored clothing, towels and bedding. However, read your garment’s label before using it on any type of fabric. In addition, test a small area of the fabric before applying it to a large area.

Using the right cleaning products and tools for the job simplifies your efforts and can take the cleanliness of your home to a higher level. Knowing the right way to clean different areas of your home and tackling tough laundry problems is easier said than done. At Cleanzen, we can help you enjoy a clean home without the hassle. Schedule your first service with our professional cleaners today.