How to Use Bleach Properly in Laundry
Doing laundry isn’t just about throwing clothes in the washer; it takes 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, whiten clothes, and brighten fabrics. If you’re new to using bleach, it 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 bleach
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 whiten and remove stains from white fabrics. Its active ingredient is usually sodium hypochlorite. Be careful, though, as bleach can remove color, so it should only be used on white fabrics.
- Non-chlorine bleach: Often called oxygen bleach, peroxide bleach, or color-safe bleach, non-chlorine bleach is gentler and can be used on both white and colored clothing. The active ingredients may include hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate, and it is safe for a wider range of fabrics.
How much bleach to use
Follow the instructions on your bleach products for safe and effective use. However, you can adjust the amount depending on your 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 washers with a bleach dispenser, simply fill the dispenser to the maximum fill line.
How to dilute bleach
Always dilute bleach before use. Washing machines with bleach dispensers do this automatically, but if your washer doesn’t have one, add bleach along with the detergent while the washer is filling with water. Alternatively, you can dilute bleach in a quart of water and add it to the washer five minutes after you start agitating the load.
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