Oxygen Bleach: Your Best-Fit Cleaner

Oxygen Bleach: Your Best-Fit Cleaner

Oxygen bleach is a powder, generally sodium percarbonate, that releases hydrogen peroxide and washing soda when it dissolves in water. It lifts stains and odors by oxidation rather than with chlorine, which is why it is usually kinder to colors and gives off far less smell. One OxiClean instruction sheet lists a scoop as 2 tablespoons and gives 1/8 scoop per pint, which works out to 1 scoop per gallon, of warm to hot water for general cleaning, and 1 to 4 scoops per gallon of hot water for soaking. Scoop size and amounts vary by brand and product version, so read the tub and follow it exactly.

It works best on fabric, carpet spots, grout, plastic and other washable hard surfaces. The same instruction sheet gives about 5 to 10 minutes of standing time on carpet, 30 to 60 minutes for curtains and sheers, and 30 minutes up to overnight for laundry stains. For a carpet or upholstery stain, blot first, apply the mixed solution, let it work for the label time, then blot and rinse thoroughly so no residue is left behind. It is a stain and odor tool, not a disinfectant, so do not count on it as a germ-killing step.

Where not to use it: the OxiClean instruction sheet says do not use on wool or silk, and that is the firm rule here. Also test or check the maker's guide before using it on other delicate materials such as leather, on dyed grout, non-colorfast fabrics, natural stone, unsealed wood, or aluminum and other soft metals. Test a hidden area and wait until it dries. The label calls for warm to hot water, so cold water is likely to give weaker results.

To mix it safely, always dissolve it in water and use the solution soon after mixing rather than storing it. Never combine oxygen bleach with chlorine bleach, ammonia, vinegar or other cleaners, since the CDC says never to mix cleaners and disinfectants, and do not keep leftover solution in a tightly sealed bottle, because oxygen-releasing cleaners can build pressure (check your label). Wear gloves and avoid breathing the dry powder. If a mix goes wrong, move to fresh air right away, open windows, and call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (America's Poison Centers, US). Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain, or collapse. Keep the tub tightly closed and out of reach of children and pets.

Source: OxiClean product instruction sheet (1 scoop = 2 tablespoons; as hosted on Home Depot's product page); Cornell Cooperative Extension, Removing Stains at Home; CDC, Cleaning and Disinfecting with Bleach; Missouri Poison Center, Some Things Just Don't Mix. Note: scoop size, scoops-per-gallon and soak times vary by brand and version, confirm on your tub's label.

General household-cleaning guidance, not medical or professional advice. The label on your product always wins; never mix cleaning products. For a poisoning emergency call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US), or 911 if someone has trouble breathing.

How Oxygen bleach (OxiClean-type) compares

* Illustrative starting amounts and notes, rounded -- use the calculators below for your exact numbers, and always check your product label.