This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy thru these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Honestly, both oxygen bleach and chlorine bleach work well in terms of cleaning power.
So it really depends on what your goals are as to whether or not you should choose oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach.
- Chlorine bleach has been around since the 1800’s and has been used on everything from getting whites white to cleaning toilets.
- Oxygen bleach can do the same things as chlorine bleach, but it definitely has some advantages for those choosing to live a healthier, more environmentally safe lifestyle.
It used to be said that you should add bleach (up to 3/4 cups per load) to all white laundry, otherwise body oils and residue would remain in the clothes. These days, oxygen bleach is the preferred ingredient, rather than chlorine bleach.
Here are the pros and cons of using oxygen bleach products around the house…
Advantages Of Oxygen Bleach
#1 You will get rid of stains and dirt without exposing yourself and your family to toxic chemicals. Powdered oxygen bleach is made from natural soda ash or borax and hydrogen peroxide. Also, oxygen bleach works by releasing its oxygen once it is exposed to water. This leaves only borax or natural soda ash as the by products, both of which are non-toxic to humans, animals and plants making them ideal for the person trying to live an eco-friendly lifestyle.
#2 Oxygen bleach is color-safe and won’t bleach white spots onto dyed fabrics as chlorine bleach will. So, you can use it to remove dirt and stains from your colored clothes as well as your whites. (Although if the label says “no bleach” you should still test it on a piece of the clothing that won’t show just to be sure.)
#3 You can mix oxygen bleach with other cleaners. The same cannot be said for chlorine bleach which can actually make toxic gas if it is mixed with other cleaners. Not to mention the fact that chlorine bleach can cause your septic system to malfunction!
#4 Oxygen bleach actually brightens fabrics. With chlorine bleach, the same can only be said with whites, not colored fabrics.
#5 Over time, oxygen bleach doesn’t break down the fibers in fabrics like chlorine bleach does.
#6 Unlike chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach is safe for all types of fabrics. (Though some claim that oxygen bleach can discolor wool, redwood and silk.)
#7 Just as with chlorine bleach, you can use oxygen bleach in the newer HE washers.
Despite all these great advantages, there are a couple of downsides to oxygen bleach as well…
Disadvantages Of Using Oxygen Bleach
#1 Oxygen bleach tends to be more expensive than chlorine bleach which is one of the reasons some people prefer it.
#2 The powdered form of oxygen bleach takes longer to dissolve in water and start working. (On the other hand, oxygen bleach in liquid form contains hydrogen peroxide which supplies the oxidizing agent direclty.)
Personally, I think the advantages of using oxygen bleach products over chlorine bleach products far outweigh the disadvantages. Just the fact that oxygen bleach is environmentally safe and non-toxic are important enough in and of themselves to make the switch from chlorine bleach to oxygen bleach. (Perhaps I’m overly cautious, but I still recommend treating oxygen bleach products as if they are toxic around children.)
More About Oxygen Bleach
My favorite things to write about are topics that have to do with pregnancy, weddings, saving money, living green, and life with dogs. When I’m not writing, I love to spend time with my husband, read, create 3D artwork and Native American beadwork.
Hi Regina, I really liked this article about OxyBleach. While reading through the advantages, I have noticed that you did not make note of the fact that OxyBleach is more effective at removing odor. I am a writer for https://www.getsmellout.com and thought I would add this small tidbit.
I don’t think oxygen bleach is as safe as this article makes it seem. On the back of OxiClean it says not to mix with other cleaners including ammonia and bleach. Also, there is a nice section of first aid about not getting it on your skin, in your mouth and so on.
I agree with NotSoSafe. “Wear gloves when mixing or using” (from Oxiclean label instructions) suggests that this is in no way a benign product.
Nice post, was wondering on what to use…Now I would go with oxy bleach .. though people use chroline all the time for cleaning services philadelphia
I haven’t used oxi since I developed an almost full-body rash after doing laundry with it. Can’t say with 100% certainty it’s what caused it, as I didn’t feel like running a test on myself, but I would suggest proceeding with caution.
Oxygen bleach is color-safe, nontoxic and can be used on a variety of materials ranging from carpets to fabric. It also has a longer shelf life, is safe for the environment and acts like a disinfectant.
Oxy for cleaning clothes, bleach for disinfecting surfaces. Bleach for diapers. I actually got melted red crayons out of a whole load of clothes with Oxy.
I have trying to clean and keep white my work aprons which are white. They are now grey coloured. No matter how much i soak in oxi clean or javex the remain the same. I have a conditioner machine added to my water line. I have tried borax, soda, vinegar. javex, chlorine bleach, and of course Oxi clean liquid and powered grains. and yes even the great almighty Tide! Aprons are still the same. Question, Why cant i get my aprons white? Any suggestions!
ha. environmentally safe? all politically correct of you. such a stupid attitude