Oxygenated Bleach vs. Chlorine Bleach: Which is Better For Your Laundry?

HOW CHLORINE BLEACH WORKS

Since it contains sodium hypochlorite, chlorine bleach breaks down colour-causing molecules in stains, and can often help disinfect and whiten simultaneously.

WHEN TO USE CHLORINE BLEACH

Chlorine bleach often works well for the following situations:

• To disinfect heavily soiled items

• To whiten white cotton fabrics

• To sanitize your washing machine

Chlorine bleach is not recommended for use in certain washers, so always check your user manual and product labels to confirm if it’s safe.

Also, before treating a garment, it’s best to first test the bleach on a small, hidden section to see how it reacts.

WHAT IS OXYGENATED BLEACH?

Oxygenated bleach, also colour-safe bleach or non-chlorine bleach, is a cleaning agent derived from sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide and does not contain chlorine. Oxygen bleach is formulated to help tackle everyday stains without harsh chemicals or powerful fumes. Unlike chlorine bleach, it's typically safe for a variety of coloured fabrics and is considered by many to be the more environmentally-friendly option. You should always test it on a hidden area of a garment to confirm it won’t cause damage.

HOW OXYGEN BLEACH WORKS

Oxygenated bleach typically breaks down into hydrogen peroxide when combined with water. This creates oxygen bubbles that are usually potent enough to help lift stains and dirt from fabrics.

OXYGENATED BLEACH BENEFITS

• Considered to be gentler on clothes

• More environmentally friendly

• Safe for most coloured fabrics

• Doesn't produce as strong a scent as chlorine bleach

• Can brighten whites and colours

WHEN TO USE OXYGENATED BLEACH

Oxygenated bleach is typically effective for the following:

• Laundry loads of regular mixed colours

• To brighten dingy whites with minimal risk of damage compared to chlorine bleach

• To pre-treat stains on coloured clothes

Oxygenated bleach is not compatible for use in every washing machine, so be sure to check your user manual to confirm if it’s safe for your appliance. Always test bleach on a small, hidden section before using it on the entire garment to confirm it won’t damage the garment.

WHAT IS OXYGEN WHITENING?

Oxygen whitening refers to whitening with an oxygenated bleach, which leverages the power of oxygen to help brighten fabrics. Oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) releases oxygen molecules when dissolved in water. These molecules break down into ions that combat organic stain molecules, resulting in them being lifted from the fabric.

Oxygen whitening is most effective at breaking down proteins, oils, pigments and other organic stains, making them easier to wash away.

TYPES OF OXYGEN BLEACH

Oxygen bleach comes in three types:

• Hydrogen Peroxide

• Sodium Percarbonate

• Sodium Perborate

While each works as an oxidizer, their forms and effectiveness vary.

Hydrogen Peroxide:

• Liquid form

• When exposed to catalysts, it releases oxygen

• Used in a variety of cleaning tasks

Sodium Percarbonate:

• Solid form

• When dissolved in water, it releases a large amount of hydrogen peroxide

• Powerful bleaching agent commonly found in laundry detergents

Sodium Perborate:

• Solid form

• When dissolved in water, it releases hydrogen peroxide

• Typically less powerful compared to Sodium Percarbonate

Basically, Sodium Percarbonate and Sodium Perborate are solid versions of hydrogen peroxide. Their form makes them more shelf-stable and easier to handle for laundry. Sodium Percarbonate is generally more concentrated, making it the more potent bleaching agent of the two.

You should consider your specific laundry needs when choosing an oxygen bleach type.

• A product with Sodium Percarbonate might be sufficient for tough stains or heavily soiled loads.

• Sodium Perborate may be the best option for delicate items or lighter cleaning.

FORMS OF OXYGEN BLEACH FOR LAUNDRY

Oxygen bleach is also available in various forms for laundry, including:

• Liquid oxygen bleach: This form largely contains hydrogen peroxide, in addition to other cleaning agents.

• Oxygen bleach pods: These are generally more shelf-stable, with the convenience of being premeasured.

• Oxygen bleach powder: This is also shelf-stable and easier to handle than liquid options.

These oxygen bleach products are typically added directly to the washing machine or used for presoaking items. Each offers a unique set of benefits, but they all work by using oxygen to clean and brighten fabrics.

FABRIC COMPATIBILITY: USING THE RIGHT TYPE OF BLEACH

Use this guide to determine which bleach might be best for your laundry, and then perform the quick test mentioned above to confirm if it’s safe for use.

OXYGENATED BLEACH-FRIENDLY FABRICS

• Cotton

• Linen

• Most color-fast coloured fabrics

• Synthetic fibers

• White items with spandex

CHLORINE BLEACH-FRIENDLY FABRICS

• White linen

• White cotton

• Some synthetic whites (check the care label)

NON-CHLORINE BLEACH FOR WHITE CLOTHES AND COLOURED CLOTHES

Oxygenated bleach is gentle enough for colours but still effective on whites. To tackle challenging stains and dingy whites without the help of chlorine bleach, you might need to soak your whites in non-chlorine, oxygenated bleach for a longer period before adding them to the washer.

DOES OXYGEN BLEACH WORK AS WELL AS CHLORINE BLEACH?

Many consider oxygen bleach to be an effective yet gentle alternative to chlorine bleach. However, because it is not as potent, oxygen bleach can be less effective than chlorine bleach in three areas: whitening, stain removal and disinfection. Chlorine bleach, on the other hand, may be too strong for some types of laundry.

Both types of bleach have their strengths:

OXYGENATED BLEACH

• Often better for repeated use on fabrics

• Gradual whitening and brightening, but may require longer soaking times

• Effective on a host of organic stains, like food and sweat

• Typically colour-safe

CHLORINE BLEACH

• Rapid whitening and disinfecting

• Powerful against more challenging and stubborn stains and odours

• Useful for occasional deep cleaning

• Typically not colour-safe

THE RIGHT TYPE OF BLEACH FOR THE JOB

Whether you're dealing with a stubborn stain or just trying to keep your whites bright, you now have the knowledge to select the right type of bleach for the job you need done.