5 Green Laundry Bleach Alternatives
Chlorine bleach contains harshness in the chemicals that can possibly damage the environment. It is used mainly as a disinfectant to kill bacteria and to keep your white clothes looking crisp and especially to remove stains easily.
There are alternatives to chlorine laundry bleach that are green and absolutely easier on the environment, e.g. pine oil and phenolic disinfectants. Read on our 5 green bleach alternatives for your laundry!
- Hydrogen Peroxide
A mild bleaching agent and can be used to remove stains and brighten white clothes! The hydrogen peroxide tends to have less impact on the environment than chlorine bleach. When exposed to light, hydrogen peroxide will break down to water and oxygen and becomes a biodegradable oxygen-based bleach.
Tips:
Add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide (3%) to each load of laundry. Hydrogen peroxide is safe for for white and colored clothes and should be placed in the automatic bleach dispenser. Do not pour directly on dry colored clothes as it can cause spotting by removing color.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great alternative to chlorine bleach. It will boost the detergent’s cleaning power while leaving clothes whiter and brighter. It is also safe for all washing machines!
Tips: Add just ½ cup of baking soda and mix it to your usual laundry detergent. Do not put the baking soda in an automatic dispenser as it may not dissolve completely.
3. Distilled White Vinegar
A more environmentally friendly alternative to chlorine bleach! Distilled white vinegar is also an alternative for cleaning hard surfaces in your home.
Tips: To help whiten clothes and linens, presoak your white clothes in a solution of 1:6 ratio proportion of white vinegar and warm water. Mix the solution in a bucket and submerge your clothes. Let the clothes sit overnight and wash your clothes as usual without the need of adding bleach!
4. Lemon
Lemon juice contains acids like vinegar and provide the same natural bleaching action. It provides an instant fresh scent as well to your laundry!
Tips: Add 1 cup of lemon juice to your washing machine when washing white clothes to keep them looking bright. If needed to remove strong odors, add one lemon that has been cut in slices to a pot of boiling water and soak overnight before washing in the machine.
5. Solar Power
Believe it or not, using the ultraviolet rays of the Sun is the ideal green laundry solution to whiten your clothes. That says, it saves you money by not using a clothes dryer and has 0 carbon footprint.
Tips: Dry your white clothes under the Sun and it will whiten, fade stains, and disinfect fabric while they dry. When mixing with colored fabrics, always remember that strong rays may fade the colored fabrics!
