Reasons to Switch to Natural Oxygen Bleach
Switching cleaning habits can feel tough, but the benefits of using natural oxygen bleach over chlorine-based products are hard to ignore. Oxygen bleach cleans just as well, if not better, and avoids many of the problems found with standard chlorine bleach. This list walks through why making the switch is good for you, your home, and the environment.
Allavare Oxygen Bleach (code ENGLAND99465 for 10% discount) is sold in a brown paper bag, with discount subscriptions online. You can bundle up with the maker’s 4-ingredient eco laundry powder and stain removal bar.
You can save energy by sticking with cooler cycles and still get spotless results. Still use 60 degree washes for babies and weak immune systems, for safety.
Test on hidden areas, wear rubber gloves. Keep away from children and pets (it’s safer than chlorine, but could still upset tummies or bleach fur).
Use oxygen bleach in ventilated areas, and never mix any kind of bleach with vinegar (or lemon juice). If it gets in your eyes, rinse with lots of water, and seek medical attention.
Too much oxygen bleach could lighten fabrics. Don’t leave oxygen bleach (once mixed) in a sealed container. Oxygen will continue to release, and it could blow up!
Oxygen bleach is cheap, and yet you don’t find it in most supermarkets. Made from sodium percarbonate and hydrogen peroxide, just mix with water to activate (binding with molecules), then it can be used to remove stains for cleaning and laundry.
Once mixed, oxygen bleach solution only works for around 40 minutes. But you can just safely pour leftovers down the sink or drain, to freshen them, with no harm done.
It does not harm aquatic wildlife. You have to activate it with warm water, then it only is good for around 40 minutes (it removes stains by binding to molecules).
How Can Natural Oxygen Bleach Help?
Natural oxygen bleach can remove most cleaning and laundry stains, as the hydrogen peroxide releases atoms that react with organic stains (food, grass, blood) and break down into tiny molecules, that are rinsed away with water. Alkaline sodium percarbonate helps to break down oil and grease stains, by neutralising acids.
How to Use Natural Oxygen Bleach
- For general cleaning, mix 1 part of natural oxygen bleach to 2 parts warm water. Leave to sit for 10 to 15 minutes after cleaning, rinse and dry. You can use the same solution to remove stains from mugs and to clean tile grout.
- For a cleaning paste, just add hot water, then use a plastic-free sponge to wipe stains and odours on cutting boards. You can also mix 1 tablespoon with 2 cups of hot water to wipe down and sanitise fridges and drawers, to remove mould, bacteria and mildew.
- To remove jar labels, mix a scoop of oxygen bleach in a sink of hot water. Soak jars for an hour, then rinse and leave to dry.
- To remove limescale, apply neat on taps. Leave for a little while, then rinse.
- To clean drains, pour a few tablespoons of oxygen bleach down the sink. Add boiling water, wait a few minutes, then rinse.
Safer for Your Health
Chlorine bleach gives off strong fumes that irritate your lungs, eyes, and skin. Even a little exposure can cause coughing or trigger asthma. Oxygen bleach, often made from sodium percarbonate, breaks down into oxygen, water, and soda ash.
It has no harsh smell and is far less likely to cause itchy skin or breathing issues. Using it around the house means you clean without worrying about strong chemicals or toxic residues.
Gentle on Fabrics and Surfaces
Traditional bleach is rough on clothes, weakening fibres and causing colours to fade fast. Over time, even sturdy fabrics lose their strength. Oxygen bleach is gentle but effective.
It keeps whites bright but does not strip dyes from coloured fabrics. It also works on a range of surfaces from tile grout to outdoor furniture, without causing harm or stains.
Effective at Removing Stains
Oxygen bleach lifts stubborn stains as well as, or better than, chlorine bleach does. It releases oxygen bubbles that break down and lift out dirt, grime, or food stains. To use, simply mix the powder with warm water and apply it to stained laundry or surfaces.
Leave it to soak for a while before washing or scrubbing. It gets rid of tea, wine, grass, and more – without damaging what you’re cleaning.
Better for the Environment
Chlorine bleach creates toxic by-products that pollute waterways. These chemicals (like dioxins) linger in the environment and can harm plants, animals, and people. Oxygen bleach, in contrast, breaks down into safe, natural substances.
After cleaning, you can rinse it down the drain without worry. By choosing oxygen bleach, you’re helping reduce chemical waste.
No Strong Chemical Smell
Anyone who’s cleaned with chlorine bleach knows the smell can stick around for hours. It’s harsh, stings your nose, and can even mix badly with other cleaners. Oxygen bleach has almost no odour. It’s a better choice if you’re sensitive or if your home needs to be scent-free. You won’t have to air out every room after you clean.
For Laundry and All-Round Cleaning
Oxygen bleach works on more than just laundry. Use it to clean sinks, shower grout, bins, tiles, outdoor cushions, patios, or even carpets.
Just adjust the amount you mix depending on the job. It makes a good all-rounder that can handle nearly any household cleaning task, which saves you buying separate products for each chore.
Long Shelf Life and Easy Storage
Liquid chlorine bleach loses strength over time and becomes less effective. In contrast, oxygen bleach in powder form stays fresh and powerful for months or even years, as long as you store it in a dry, closed container. You won’t have to toss out half-empty bottles or worry about leaks.
Oxygen Bleach to Remove Clothing Stains
- Add one tablespoon of oxygen bleach with laundry powder to washing machine (not wool, silk or leather). Or add 2 tablespoons to 5 litres of hot water, for hand-washing.
- For stains, mix 2 tablespoons of oxygen bleach with 5 litres of warm water, then leave clothing to soak for a few hours, before laundering as usual. Unlike chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach is safe for coloured fabrics.
- To remove fabric stains, dissolve 1 spoon (or 3 spoons for cloth nappies, sanitary pads and incontinence pads) in 1 litre of hot water, and soak for an hour or longer. Then wash as normal. Due to waterproof synthetic backings, launder in a microfibre filter.
- You can also add a little to pet bedding in the washing machine or hand-wash, to remove pet pee and stains. Rinse well, and allow to dry thoroughly before use.
