Bleaches help whiten, brighten and remove stains. Here's how to use bleach on clothes:
Bleach converts soils into colorless, soluble particles which are easily removed by detergents, then carried away in the wash water. Bleach can also brighten and whiten fabrics and help remove stubborn stains.
Sodium hypochlorite bleaches (also called chlorine or liquid household bleach) are the more powerful laundry bleaches; they disinfect, as well as clean and whiten. They work on many whites and colorfast washables - but not on wools or silks. Oxygen (color-safe) bleaches are gentler, working safely on all washable fabrics. They work best in maintaining whiteness, not in restoring it.
For Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach, read the label and dilute as directed. For best results, add 5 minutes after the wash cycle has begun to agitate in order to avoid destroying enzymes and fluorescent whiteners in the detergent.
For Oxygen Bleach, add directly to the wash water before the clothes are added. Do not pour powdered bleach directly on wet clothes. Oxygen bleaches are most effective in warm-to-hot water.
Using Bleach to Remove Stains on White Clothes
IMPORTANT:Read the fabric care label first!The fact that the item is white doesn’t necessarily guarantee that it’s safe to use bleach, especially chlorine bleach. Factors such as the fabric’s fiber content (including silk, wool, mohair and spandex), finishes (such as the flame-retardant finish on children’s nightclothes) and certain trims will affect the item’s suitability for bleach.
If bleach is a no-no and there are stains, pre-treat them with a pre-wash stain remover, check the cleaning product label first to make sure it is safe for the fabric, or presoak the item, using detergent or a presoak laundry product that’s safe for the fabric. Mix the soaking agent with water, and then add the item. Minimum soaking time is 30 minutes; longer, as much as overnight, may be necessary.
If bleach is safe for the fabric, follow the tips below.
Tips for UsingBleach in Laundry
1. Read the Label: Check the garment label before laundering; some fabrics cannot be washed using liquid household bleach (sodium hypochlorite). If liquid household bleach is not recommended, you can use a color-safe (oxygen) bleach to help remove stains and odors. Also read the cleaning product label. Some detergents have color-safe bleach or bleach alternative built into the product. However, remember that these products do not disinfect.
2. Test: Dip a cotton swab in the bleach/water solution and dab on an inside seam. If the fabric color remains, then you should be safe.
3. Start small: Lay the stained section of the garment flat and be sure there not layers of fabric or anything underneath that can be affected. Work from the outer edge of the stain in, rinse with fresh water when the stain is gone.
4. Bleaching the whole load: Read the label on the bleach product to determine the amount to use when adding bleach to an entire load of laundry. Consult your washing machine use manual to see if you should add the bleach to the drum or to a special dispenser drawer or section.
Chlorine bleach can be used to disinfect and sanitize laundry and well as kitchen, bathroom and other surfaces around the home. Disinfectants and disinfectant cleaners are the only products that kill germs—but they only work if the label directions are followed. Products that claim to kill germs must meet efficacy requirements and guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and must be registered with EPA and carry an EPA registration number on their label.
Safety Reminders:
- Read and follow label directions at all times.
- Never mix chlorine bleach or any product containing chlorine bleach with ammonia, ammonia-based products or acidic products. The combination can be dangerous… or even deadly.
FAQs
For Sodium Hypochlorite Bleach, read the label and dilute as directed. For best results, add 5 minutes after the wash cycle has begun to agitate in order to avoid destroying enzymes and fluorescent whiteners in the detergent. For Oxygen Bleach, add directly to the wash water before the clothes are added.
Is it safe to put bleach in laundry? ›
Bleach can be used to remove stains from white clothing, but it must be done carefully. It's important to read the fabric care tag on the clothing prior to using. Once confirmed it is safe to use bleach on the fabric, do a test spot on an inside seam to ensure the fabric does not react.
Is there a difference between laundry bleach and disinfectant bleach? ›
Laundry bleach has a lower concentration of sodium hypochlorite, making it gentler and suitable for fabrics. Regular bleach, on the other hand, has a higher concentration, which makes it more potent and suitable for disinfecting and cleaning hard, non-porous surfaces.
What happens if you mix bleach and laundry detergent? ›
Detergents containing ammonia can react negatively with bleach, releasing dangerous gases. Read the labels carefully and follow the recommended usage instructions. Most standard detergents can be mixed with bleach without causing any adverse reactions. However, the trick is to properly dilute the bleach with water.
Can you use Clorox disinfecting bleach in washing machines? ›
Can I use regular bleach to clean my washing machine? Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach, which contains the sodium hypochlorite bleach active, can be used to run a washer cleanout cycle. Use a measuring cup to add the bleach to the washing machine dispenser.
When should you not use bleach in laundry? ›
Don't add more to make it work faster, as it can ruin your clothing. Also, never use non-chlorinated bleach on silk, acetate, wool, spandex, polypropylene and some flame-retardant fabrics. Before adding non-chlorinated bleach in your washer, always check the care labels on your clothes to make sure it's safe to use.
When should you not use bleach on clothes? ›
Check the fiber content
Check the care label to see what the clothing is made of. You can safely bleach cotton, polyester, nylon, acrylic and rayon. Always avoid bleaching wool, silk, mohair, leather or spandex, even a small percentage.
What type of bleach is best for laundry? ›
Oxygen Bleach is the safest. It works best by mixing with hot water and pre-soaking your fabrics before washing them. Each manufacturer indicates the recommended time and amount on the package.
What is better than bleach for laundry? ›
There are several effective alternatives to bleach for whitening clothes. Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, white vinegar, and borax are all natural and effective solutions that can help keep your clothes looking bright and clean.
How much bleach do I add to disinfect laundry? ›
“You need to adjust the amount of bleach you add along with your detergent, based on the size of your load and the soil level,” Gagliardi says. Add ½ cup for a normal load with an average soil level, and 1 cup for an extra-large and/or heavily soiled load.
Don't mix bleach with ammonia, acids, or other cleaners.
Mixing bleach with common cleaning products can cause serious injuries. Be sure to always read the product label before using a cleaning product.
Where to add bleach in a washing machine? ›
Simply add the bleach to your washer's bleach dispenser following the instructions on the bottle. If your washer doesn't have a bleach dispenser, just pour 3/4 cup of bleach in after the tub has finished filling. For stain removal, follow these tips: To remove spot stains, dilute the non-chlorinated bleach.
How do you dilute bleach for laundry? ›
Alternatively, you can add it five minutes after the wash cycle has started. In this case, add the bleach to a quart of water to dilute it. If the clothes are slightly soiled and the wash load is small, add 1/2 cup of bleach. For heavily soiled and larger loads, you would add 2/3 cup of bleach.
Should you rinse the washing machine after using bleach? ›
Run an extra rinse cycle to flush out any remaining bleach. Step three: Open the door and press down on the rubber gasket to remove items like hair clips or coins that might have become wedged underneath.
Do you have to clean washing machine after using bleach? ›
Wipe down your washer
Nearly all bleach damage is caused by accidental drips or spills that aren't cleaned up, not by bleach residue inside the washer.
When to add bleach to laundry washing machine? ›
Standard washers (traditional deep-fill models) don't always have bleach dispensers, but you can always add the bleach with the detergent when the washer is filling, before the clothing is added, so it is diluted before contacting any laundry.
Is laundry bleach a disinfectant? ›
Bleach is a strong and effective disinfectant – its active ingredient sodium hypochlorite is effective in killing bacteria, fungi and viruses, including influenza virus – but it is easily inactivated by organic material.
Is all bleach the same for disinfecting? ›
Most household bleach contains 5%–9% sodium hypochlorite. Do not use a bleach product if the percentage is not in this range or is not specified. This includes some types of laundry bleach or splashless bleach, which are not appropriate for disinfection.
Will bleach disinfectant ruin clothes? ›
Pouring undiluted bleach directly onto your clothing will fade the color and possibly ruin the item. Add regular laundry detergent to the dispenser and start the cycle. How much detergent you use depends on the product—some detergents are highly concentrated. Follow the directions on your detergent's label.
What is the best bleach for disinfecting? ›
Arguably the most popular kind of bleach, chlorine bleach has an active ingredient called sodium hypochlorite. It's a very powerful bactericide and disinfectant, which is why almost all formulations of chlorine bleach are diluted in water.
