While about 40% of Americans have used bleach to wash food at one point or another, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) firmly advises against this. In fact, you should only use bleach for washing clothes and disinfecting surfaces. However, you should avoid mixing bleach and other detergents because the chemical reaction may produce harmful gases such as chlorine. For instance, in 2014 there were about 6,000 cases of chlorine gas poisoning in the U.S., according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC). When choosing between oxygen bleach and chlorine bleach, read the manufacturer’s instructions as well as the fabric care label first to avoid damaging your clothes. To get you started, here is a detailed comparison of oxygen bleach vs. chlorine bleach.
Purpose
Although both bleaches help in general cleaning, their purposes are somewhat different because of their properties. For instance, chlorine bleach is used for water treatment, disinfecting surfaces, and cleaning laundry. On the other hand, oxygen bleach only helps in mild cleaning and disinfection but not in treating drinking water. Since chlorine bleach can produce poisonous chlorine gas when mixed with other detergents, avoid using it with other chemicals, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Strength
Naturally, chlorine bleach is stronger than oxygen bleach in terms of cleaning and disinfection power. More specifically, chlorine bleach removes tough stains easily than oxygen bleach, which is only a mild disinfectant. While chlorine bleach is suitable for heavy cleaning and disinfection, it can easily damage lighter clothes by weakening the fabric, says the American Cleaning Institute (ACI). For this reason, only go for chlorine bleach if you are dealing with tough stains on heavy fabrics.
Safety
Although chlorine bleach is an effective cleaning agent, it comes with major safety concerns. Some of the dangers resulting from the usage of chlorine bleach include:
• Production of the poisonous chlorine gas which can irritate the nose, skin, throat, and eyes
• Dermatitis
• Damage of the digestive tract when ingested
• Breathing problems
• Corrosion of fabrics
• Can harm the environment
On the other hand, oxygen bleach is much safer and may not expose you to such dangers. For safety, always dilute chlorine bleach before using it to reduce the effects.
Which is Better?
Considering the health and environmental concerns, oxygen bleach remains the better option between the two bleaching agents. It cleans and disinfects clothes and surfaces with little or no damage, and hence, it’s also suitable for lighter fabrics. This means that you will be safe using it for any cleaning job. Even so, some of the tough stains may not fade since oxygen bleach has less cleaning strength. Conversely, chlorine bleach will come in handy if your cleaning involves tough stains and heavy fabrics. Just ensure you use it in a well-ventilated place, avoid mixing it with other chemicals, and wear a gas mask to avoid chlorine gas poisoning, according to an article published by the Medical News Today. Overall, your choice of bleaching agent should depend on your cleaning needs.
Use this handy oxygen bleach and chlorine bleach comparison to choose the right product for your needs. At Fresh & Clean, we are your one-stop-shop for all your laundry needs, whether it be laundry or dry cleaning. Visit our website or call us today at 619-691-7626 to learn how we can help you do your laundry and dry cleaning in no time.
Related
FAQs
Oxygen bleach is gentler, less toxic, and more environmentally friendly than chlorine bleach. It can be used on almost all washable garments, though it's best for colors. Also, if you don't want your colorful kitchen towels to fade, this is a safer choice.
Which is better oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach? ›
The bleaching power of chlorine bleach is much stronger than oxygen bleach (commonly known as hydrogen peroxide) and can damage many fibres such as cotton and wool very quickly. Hydrogen peroxide is not as strong and can be less damaging to fibres. Both kill most bacteria. Both are used to brighten whites in laundry.
Is chlorine better than oxygen? ›
Which is Better? Considering the health and environmental concerns, oxygen bleach remains the better option between the two bleaching agents. It cleans and disinfects clothes and surfaces with little or no damage, and hence, it's also suitable for lighter fabrics.
Why do people use non chlorine bleach oxygen bleach )? ›
Oxygen bleach can help whiten whites, brighten colors, and works with items that say “Do Not Use Chlorine Bleach.” Plus, it's safe to use on all colored and patterned items!
Which type of bleach is good? ›
If you want to disinfect your clothes without much fear of fading or thinning, oxygen bleach is the best option. Another advantage of using oxygen bleach is that it's more eco-friendly.
Why is oxygen bleach better? ›
Oxygen bleach is a natural, plant derivative product called sodium percarbonate. It's made from sodium carbonate, sometimes called soda ash, and good old hydrogen peroxide. Once this product is exposed to water, it releases oxygen, lifting out stains and dirt, resulting in a more effective and safer bleach.
Does oxygen bleach sanitize laundry? ›
While oxygen bleach is safe on most fabrics, it should never be used on silk, wool, or any garment that has leather trim or wooden buttons. Oxygen bleach does not disinfect fabrics of viruses and bacteria.
Is oxygen bleach safer than chlorine bleach? ›
Oxygen bleach is gentler, less toxic, and more environmentally friendly than chlorine bleach. It can be used on almost all washable garments, though it's best for colors. Also, if you don't want your colorful kitchen towels to fade, this is a safer choice.
Does oxygen bleach smell? ›
Free of harsh chemical smells, oxygen bleach is a powerful alternative to chlorine bleach that works wonders to safely remove dirt, stains, and odors. Add oxygen bleach to the wash cycle to whiten and brighten clothes—You can also use this single product to clean your entire home— tiles, sinks, and surfaces.
Is oxiclean oxygenated bleach? ›
Oxiclean contains about 50-60% active oxygen bleach (Sodium percarbonate).
OxiClean™ is free of chlorine and preservatives, so it's safe on colors and gentle on your clothing – without sacrificing performance or leaving chemical residues. Many detergents break down the fibers and dyes in laundry as they clean, causing severe fading overtime.
Does OxiClean work in cold water? ›
OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover works in any temperature water, but best in warm to hot water. Do NOT use boiling water.
Does OxiClean bleach black clothes? ›
OxiClean Dark Protect is specially designed to keep dark fabric colors deep and smooth to help keep your dark clothes looking newer longer. DarkProtect has an Anti-Fade Technology built into the formula to extend the life of your dark and black clothes. It helps prevent fading & pilling and removes tough stains!
Can I mix OxiClean and bleach? ›
Do not mix OxiClean with other chemicals. This includes ammonia, chlorine bleach, and other household chemicals. Good advice when it comes to mixing any cleaning chemicals: If you're not 100 percent sure they can be mixed—as in, the label on the container says it's OK—don't mix.
Does OxiClean disinfect like bleach? ›
Use OxiClean™ Daily Clean Multi-Purpose Disinfectant's oxygen-based, chlorine bleach-free formula to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses* and remove everyday stains on hard, non-porous bathroom surfaces.
Does OxiClean whiten better than bleach? ›
It whitens whites 40%4 better than chlorine bleach per load without the chlorine smell and it's safe on colors. Now you can maintain and revive your dingy white clothes plus remove tough stains keeping them looking like new longer.
What happens if you mix bleach and oxygen bleach? ›
What happens when you mix Oxyclean and bleach? It can create Oxygen gas so vigorously, that can cause an explosion and one should not mixed in household cleaners for safety.
What is the strongest bleach for cleaning? ›
The strongest bleach for cleaning, particularly for disinfecting, is germicidal bleach. This type of bleach has a specialized formulation that enhances its microbial-killing capabilities.
