OxiClean Solution Calculator

Oxygen bleach works best warm, fresh and measured

Oxygen bleach, the active ingredient in OxiClean-style powders, is typically sodium percarbonate. Mixed with water it releases oxygen that lifts stains and odors from many fabrics and hard surfaces. OxiClean's directions for Versatile Stain Remover use the fill lines molded into the scoop: scoop to Line 2 to 4 per gallon of water for laundry soaks and Line 4 per gallon for hard surfaces. This calculator follows those directions, and because product versions and scoops differ, the label on your tub decides if it says otherwise.

The label speaks in scoop lines rather than cups, so this calculator asks how many cups of powder your scoop holds at the line you use and converts to tablespoons as well. The default is a placeholder, not a brand value. Fill your scoop to the line once, pour it into a measuring cup, and enter the result to avoid a big error. OxiClean gives 1 to 6 hours for laundry soaks and 5 to 30 minutes standing time on hard surfaces, and a longer soak does not make the solution stronger.

Water temperature matters. OxiClean says the powder works in any temperature but works best in warm to hot water, and that you should not use boiling water. Stir until the powder is fully dissolved before adding any item, or undissolved granules can spot fabric. Another version of the directions adds that solutions should never be heated or boiled, so do not warm a mix on a stove.

The most important storage rule is not to keep the mix. OxiClean says the solution should be kept in an open container or one that is not tightly sealed, because it continues to give off oxygen and pressure can rupture a sealed container. Mix it fresh, use it, and pour it away. It is also not for every material: the directions say to avoid wool, silk, leather and dry-clean-only items, painted surfaces, jewelry and coffeemakers, and to test a hidden area first. It is not a disinfectant, and the label says not to mix it with products containing ammonia, chlorine bleach or other household chemicals. If fumes have already been released, leave the area for fresh air, open windows and call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US, America's Poison Centers); call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain or collapse.

Where these numbers come from

The formulas and default values in this calculator are based on:

• OxiClean (Church & Dwight), Versatile Stain Remover product page and directions (scoop lines per gallon, warm to hot but not boiling water, soak times, surfaces to avoid, do not seal the solution)
• OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover label text as published on directionsforme.org (avoid wool, silk, leather, dry-clean-only
• do not mix with ammonia, chlorine bleach or other chemicals). Note: scoop size and line volumes vary by tub and product version
• confirm on your tub's label

This is general household-cleaning guidance and planning math, not medical or professional advice. Product formulas change, so the label on your bottle always wins: follow its directions and warnings, test a hidden spot first, and never mix cleaning products. For a poisoning emergency call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US), or 911 if someone has trouble breathing.