How to Use Oxygen Bleach in a Washing Machine

Today, oxygen-based bleaches from various brands are available on store shelves. Demand for these products is huge – homeowners use them to clean plumbing fixtures, shoes, and dishes. Active oxygen-based bleaches are also regularly used for their intended purpose – laundry.

Is it safe to use oxygen bleach in the washing machine, or is it only suitable for hand washing? Which brands are considered the best today? Let's explore the nuances.

Let's introduce this product to the washing machine

To understand how to use the product, read the information on the packaging. The manufacturer allows the use of bleach with active oxygen for both hand and machine washing. The main thing is to follow the recommended dosage.

There are two strategies for using bleach in SMA. It is added for:

• enhancing the effect of the main detergent;
• complete bleaching of light-colored clothes and removal of stains from items.

The dosage of the detergent depends on the chosen strategy. If oxygen bleach is used to enhance the base detergent, only a small amount is needed. In this case, the drum can contain both white and colored items.

If you use a product with active oxygen as the main ingredient, you can only wash white or light-colored clothing. Bleach will certainly remove stains from colored clothing, but it may also remove the dye. The clothes will lose their brightness.

Oxygen bleach is most active at a wash temperature of 60°C, so select the appropriate cycle. The "Cotton" and "Baby Care" programs are ideal. The temperature range is 60-90°C.

How do you use oxygen-based bleach in a washing machine? If it's used to enhance the washing powder's effectiveness, you should:

• take a glass of boiling water;
• add a few spoons of bleach to the water (the dosage will depend on the number of items and the volume of the washing machine drum);
• mix the granules thoroughly;
• add the usual dose of washing powder or gel to the resulting solution (at this point you don’t need to stir the mixture too much);
• load clothes into the drum, close the hatch;
• pour the solution into the powder dispenser (into the main wash compartment);
• Start the machine, selecting a washing algorithm with a temperature of 60°C or more.

A cleaner with active oxygen increases the effect of the main detergent by approximately 2 times.

Using this "cocktail" when washing clothes can remove stains that couldn't be removed with regular laundry detergent. That's why oxygen bleach is so popular.

When using bleach as the primary cleaning agent in a washing machine, select a soak program. This starts a pre-wash cycle, during which items are soaked in a powerful bleach solution for anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. What to do in this case:

• Load the items into the washing machine (only light or white ones, it’s better not to risk it with colored clothes);
• Pour 2-4 tablespoons of bleach granules into the pre-wash compartment of the detergent drawer;
• Pour regular washing powder into the main wash compartment, plus 1 spoon of oxygen bleach (there is no need to dissolve the granules in boiling water first);
• select a cycle that includes a pre-wash stage (e.g. Cotton);
• start the cycle.

What happens inside the machine? First, the washing machine will draw water into the drum, passing it through the powder compartment containing the oxygen bleach. The granules in the main wash compartment will remain undisturbed.

The heating element will heat the water to 60°C, and the active oxygen will begin to work. The machine will spin the drum several times to completely dissolve the granules. The items will then "soak" in the bleach solution for a specified time. Occasionally, the washing machine will "wiggle" the clothes.

The washing machine will then drain the soaking water and refill. The detergent will be drawn in through the main wash compartment. Then, everything will proceed as usual: the machine will wash, rinse, and spin the laundry. The result will be clean, spotless, white laundry.

Which oxygen bleach is best to buy?

There's a huge variety of oxygen cleaners available today. Most have the same composition, but some are enhanced with additional active ingredients. Which brand should you choose? Based on customer reviews, we present the top 5 best bleaches with active oxygen.

The Synergetic bleach and stain remover has received a large number of positive reviews. This multifunctional cleaner is suitable not only for clothes, but also for treating shoes, furniture, plumbing, tiles, kitchen appliances, and other surfaces. It is also permissible to use the composition for cleaning floors, carpets and rugs.

Synergetic laundry detergent is suitable for the entire family, including children's clothing. It effectively removes even stubborn, ingrained stains. The bleach prevents graying of light-colored items and neutralizes odors.

Synergetic is used by homeowners when cleaning their kitchens and bathrooms. Its active formula is ideal for removing plaque and dirt from household appliances, furniture, and plumbing fixtures. It also eliminates unpleasant odors and fights mold and mildew, removes blockages in drain holes, siphons and pipes.

The Synergetic oxygen purifier is absolutely safe for humans and the environment.

Synergetic bleach contains:

• more than 30% sodium percarbonate;
• more than 30% soda ash.

Synergetic bleach can be used on all types of fabric: cotton, synthetics, membranes, compression knitwear, wool, and silk. A pack of this multi-purpose cleaner costs approximately $4. Each pack weighs 900 grams.

Another powerful product is a laundry cleaner from the Korean manufacturer Lion Beat. This formula is designed to remove tough, ingrained stains. It effectively removes fruit, cosmetics, juices, coffee, rust, and grass stains, and tackles stubborn stains on collars and cuffs.

The manufacturer's technology is unique. It whitens light-colored items and brightens colored clothing. Lion Beat provides an antibacterial effect and is effective even in cool water.

Oxygen bleach contains:

• soap;
• polyoxyethylene alkyl ether;
• sodium silicate;
• sodium sulfate and carbonate;
• calcium carbonate;
• refined salt;
• zeolite;
• flavoring agent;
• dye.

This universal bleach is suitable for all fabric types. A small 300-gram package of granules costs about $2.50. Housewives report that the product:

• copes perfectly with removing stains, washing out even traces of a ballpoint pen;
• more economical to use due to its concentrated formula;
• ensures shining whiteness of things.

An affordable and highly effective product – bleach with active oxygen from the Russian brand Eco Home. It consists of 100% environmentally friendly and safe ingredients. Cleaner:

• safe for children's clothing;
• suitable for white and colored laundry;
• eliminates yellowness;
• removes old stains;
• enhances the effect of the main detergent;
• suitable for spot washing;
• has an antibacterial effect;
• does not contain fragrances or dyes.

In addition to its main purpose, Eco Home bleach can be used for:

• removing stains from furniture, mattresses and carpets;
• mold removal;
• disinfection of surfaces (floor or furniture);
• cleaning stoves, ovens, hoods, microwaves and other kitchen appliances;
• clearing blockages in pipes;
• processing of sinks, bathtubs.

Eco Home bleach is made from 100% sodium percarbonate. It's completely safe for children, allergy sufferers, and those with sensitive skin. It's suitable for washing everyday clothing, membrane garments, compression hosiery, sportswear, and more.

A kilogram bag of Eco Home costs about $3. A 3 kg pack costs $8.50. Directions for use and optimal dosage are provided on the packaging.

Another worthy Korean bleach and stain remover with proven effectiveness is CJ Lion Clean Plus. It's 100% plant-based, has antibacterial properties, and works even in cold water.

CJ Lion Clean Plus is suitable for all types of fabrics except wool and silk.

This bleach and stain remover is recommended for both white and colored items. Thanks to its enzymes, CJ Lion Clean Plus brightens brightly colored clothes and prevents light-colored items from graying. The cleaner does not damage the fabric structure.

The Korean bleach contains:

• soap;
• alpha-olefin sulfonate;
• sodium silicate and sulfate;
• sodium carbonate;
• calcium carbonate;
• zeolite;
• sodium percarbonate;
• baking soda;
• enzymes;
• perfume composition;
• dye.

The method of application is described in detail on the packaging. Bleach can be used either on its own or to enhance the effectiveness of washing powder. The cost of a 1.4 kg package is about $4.50.

Elizar is the safest bleach from a Russian manufacturer. It can be used not only for washing clothes but also for cleaning your home. It's suitable for cleaning household appliances, carpets and upholstery, kitchen backsplashes, tiles, sinks, bathtubs, and other surfaces.

Elizar bleach contains 100% safe sodium percarbonate.

The bleaching additive can be used with laundry detergent or on its own. It's suitable for soaking and spot cleaning. The cleaner is hypoallergenic and can be used without gloves.

A kilogram of Elizar costs about $5.20. Detailed instructions for use are included on the package. Users note that it truly removes stains quickly and easily, and is economical to use. It also helps restore yellowed white items, returning them to their original appearance.

   

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