Doing laundry isn’t just about throwing clothes in the washing machine; you need the right tools, including bleach, to keep your clothes fresh and stain-free. According to experts like Mary Gagliardi, Clorox’s in-house scientist and cleaning expert, bleach can improve cleaning performance, brighten clothes, and brighten fabrics. Using bleach for the first time can seem intimidating, but once you know the basics, it’s a simple process. Here’s a guide to using bleach safely and effectively in your laundry routine.
Types of bleaching agents
Not all bleach is the same. It’s important to know the differences between bleach and non-chlorine bleach to avoid damaging your clothes.
- Bleach: Also known as regular or household bleach, bleach is primarily used to brighten and remove stains from white fabrics. Its active ingredient is usually sodium hypochlorite. Be careful, bleach can remove color, so it should only be used on white fabrics.
- Chlorine-free bleach: Often referred to as oxygen bleach, peroxide bleach, or colorfast bleach, chlorine-free bleach is gentler and can be used on both white and colored clothing. Active ingredients may include hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate, and the product is safe for a wider range of fabrics.
How much bleach should be used?
For safe and effective use, follow the instructions on the bleaching products. However, you may want to adjust the amount depending on the washing machine type, load size, soil level, and water quality.
For example, in a standard washing machine, use 1/2 cup of bleach for small, lightly soiled loads and up to 2/3 cup for large, heavily soiled loads. For high-efficiency washing machines with a bleach compartment, simply fill the compartment to the maximum fill line.
How to dilute bleach
Always dilute bleach before use. Washing machines with a bleach drawer do this automatically. However, if your washing machine doesn’t have a drawer, add the bleach along with the detergent while the washing machine is filling with water. Alternatively, you can dilute bleach in one liter of water and add it to the washing machine five minutes after you start shaking the laundry.
