Bleach is a powerful laundry aid that can help get your clothes bright white and fresh smelling. However, it needs to be used carefully to avoid damaging fabrics or risking your health and safety. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about using bleach in the laundry the right way.
What is Bleach and How Does It Work?
Bleach is a chemical compound called sodium hypochlorite that removes colour or whitens by oxidization. When diluted with water, it releases chlorine that helps break apart stains and brighten whites through its oxidizing properties.
There are two main types of bleach used for laundry:
- Chlorine Bleach – The most common and powerful type made from sodium hypochlorite. It comes in liquid form and can be used to whiten and disinfect.
- Oxygen Bleach – A milder alternative made from hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate. It is chlorine-free and generally safer for colours.
Bleach is very effective at removing tough stains like food, grass, dirt, and more. It can also kill bacteria and sanitize clothes. However, it can cause fading and damage to fabrics like wool and silk if used improperly.
When to Use Bleach in the Laundry
Bleach should only be used periodically when necessary to whiten whites or remove stubborn stains. It’s not recommended for regular laundry cycles. Here are some instances when bleach can be a big help:
- Whitening white clothes, towels, and sheets that have become dull or yellowed over time
- Treating serious stains on whites like grass, grease, blood, etc.
- Disinfecting and sanitizing clothes like underwear, bedding, or sick clothes
- Cleaning extremely soiled items like cloth diapers or rags
Dealing with Tough Stains
For tough stains like red wine, grease, or mud, consider pre-treating with a stain remover or making a bleach solution for soaking:
- Mix 1 part bleach with 4-8 parts water
- Soak the stained item for up to 30 minutes, checking frequently
- Rinse thoroughly and wash as normal with detergent
Never let clothes soak for too long, as concentrated bleach can weaken and damage fibers over time.
Tips for Safe, Effective Bleach Use
Bleach is a powerful chemical that requires care during use. Follow these tips to bleach laundry properly and avoid mishaps:
Always Read Product Labels – Bleach bottles provide important instructions on proper dilution ratios, what fabrics to avoid, handling precautions, and first aid information.
Measure Precisely – Never eyeball bleach amounts. Too little won’t be effective while too much can damage clothes and produce dangerous fumes.
Use Cold Water – Hot water can cause bleach to release additional fumes and react more aggressively with fabrics. Stick to cold or at most warm water.
Don’t Overload Washer – Excess clothes prevent proper circulation of bleach and detergent. Wash similar coloured items together in smaller loads.
Don’t Let Clothing Soak – While pre-treating tough stains with a bit of diluted bleach can help, leaving clothes soaking too long in concentrated bleach weakens and damages fibres.
Wash White and Colors Separately – Bleach applied to colourful fabrics like darks, reds, or brights tends to cause rapid fading and discolouration. Sort clothes carefully.
Skip the Fabric Softener – Fabric softeners and bleach cancel each other out, reducing the effectiveness of both products and potentially leading to greyish staining.
Always Do a Spot Test – Before washing a whole load, test bleaching a small hidden area first to check for colourfastness or damage. Some lighter colors like khaki or pastels may also be susceptible.
Use Rubber Gloves – Bleach is an irritant, so wear rubber gloves to avoid burns or dry, cracked hands from repeated use.
Be Careful Around Kids and Pets – Bleach poses a serious ingestion hazard if consumed or splashed in the eyes and mixing with ammonia produces toxic fumes. Keep pets and children away during use.
Oxygen Bleach: A Safer Alternative
If you’re worried about using chlorine bleach on coloured fabrics, oxygen bleach can be a gentler solution. Brands like:
- OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover (powder)
- Nellie’s All-Natural Oxygen Brightener (eco-friendly strips)
- Clorox 2 Stain Remover and Color Booster (liquid)
are designed to lift stains and brighten while being safer for most colored clothing.
How to Bleach Laundry in the washer
Follow these step-by-step instructions for properly bleaching laundry loads in a standard washing machine:
- Sort laundry by color, keeping just whites and bleachables in one load. Make sure to double-check clothing tags for any bleach warnings.
- Add clothes to the empty washer tub, making sure not to overload.
- Pour in your chosen laundry detergent first according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Measure out your bleach carefully using product guidelines. A good rule is 1/2 to 3/4 cup for a standard top-loading washer and 1/4 cup for high-efficiency models.
- Add the measured bleach amount to the bleach dispenser in your washer if it has one. If not, pour it directly into the tub once the washer has filled with cold or warm water.
- Run the full wash cycle all the way through and remove clothes promptly after the spin cycle finishes to prevent over-bleaching or yellowing.
- If any remaining discoloration exists, rewash using detergent and no bleach or treat remaining stains with a bit of diluted bleach and rinse thoroughly.
For an extra boost, consider a whitening detergent like Persil ProClean Stain Fighter which contains non-chlorine bleaching agents.
How to Hand Bleach Stains
For treating smaller stains or hand washables, carefully spot treat with diluted bleach according to these tips:
- Make a dilute bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 4-8 parts water.
- Fully immerse the stained item in the solution or dab stain repeatedly with a sponge or rag.
- Allow item to soak for 5-10 minutes max, checking often to avoid over-bleaching.
- Rinse thoroughly with cool water until bleach odor is gone.
- Launder as usual with detergent but no additional bleach in the wash.
An alternative is using a bleach pen or gel stick like Clorox Bleach Pen Gel which allows precise application right onto set-in stains.
Safety Precautions for Bleach Use
Bleach is an effective but potentially hazardous chemical if misused or mixed improperly. Always take the following precautions:
- Never combine bleach with ammonia, acids, or other household cleaners as toxic fumes can result
- Wear rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area
- Never use straight undiluted bleach on clothing or surfaces
- Avoid bleaching wool, silk, leather, spandex, or non-colorfast fabrics
- Store bleach securely out of reach from kids and pets
- Don’t take unnecessary risks – consider an oxygen-based bleach for colored items
Bleach is a powerful laundry aid but it’s important to use it safely and sparingly to prevent damage. Follow product instructions and these tips carefully to enjoy fresh, bright, white laundry results.
Disinfecting with Bleach
In addition to whitening and stain removal, chlorine bleach can be an effective disinfectant when used properly. This can help sanitize items like:
- Bathroom towels and bath mats
- Kitchen cleaning rags and cloths
- Underwear, bedding, and sick clothes
- Cloth diapers
To disinfect laundry with bleach:
- Check clothing labels and avoid using on wool, silk, or colored items.
- For standard washers, add 3/4 – 1 cup of bleach. For HE machines, use 1/2 cup.
- Wash in the hottest water recommended on clothing labels.
- Allow the full wash cycle to complete for maximum disinfection.
Be careful not to over-bleach as this can weaken fabric fibers over time.
CDC Bleach Guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends using a diluted bleach solution to disinfect against viruses like COVID-19, influenza, and more:
- Mix 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of water OR
- Mix 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water
Allow surfaces to remain wet for at least 1 minute before rinsing. Prepare solution fresh for each use.
How to Properly Store Bleach
Bleach is a harsh chemical that degrades over time and requires proper storage:
- Keep bleach in its original, opaque container to prevent UV light exposure
- Avoid storing at high temperatures which accelerates decomposition
- Keep bleach bottles upright, tightly closed, and off the floor
- Store away from acids, ammonia cleaners, and other household chemicals
- Check expiration dates – most bleach has a shelf life of 6 months to 1 year
If stored improperly or too long, bleach becomes less effective and can release unpleasant, potentially harmful fumes.
Removing Bleach Stains
Accidentally dripped or splashed bleach can leave behind unsightly yellow stains on clothing and surfaces. To remove bleach stains:
- Rinse or soak the affected area immediately in cold water.
- Make a solution of 1 part vinegar to 1 part water.
- Dip a clean cloth in the solution and dab repeatedly at the stain.
- For laundry, wash the item as usual with detergent and vinegar in place of bleach.
The acid in vinegar helps neutralize and remove any remaining bleach residue. An oxygen bleach product can also help lift bleach stains from washable fabrics.
Eco-Friendly Bleach Alternatives
For a more natural approach, consider these chlorine-free options for brightening and stain removal:
- Baking Soda – Sprinkle baking soda directly onto damp clothes and let soak before washing
- Lemon Juice – Acts as a mild bleaching agent; apply to stains before laundering
- Hydrogen Peroxide – Look for 3% solutions that can whiten and disinfect
- Sunlight – Good old-fashioned sunshine can naturally bleach fabrics when air-dried
While not as powerful, these eco-friendly solutions can gently brighten whites over time.
Bleach is an incredibly useful laundry aid when used safely and correctly. Follow these precautions and tips, and your clothes will look fresher, brighter, and last longer. As with any chemical, moderation and care are key to effective bleach use.
