Bleach has long been considered a household staple for laundry, cleaning, and disinfecting. While bleach is certainly versatile, it’s also a strong irritant that’s toxic for people and the planet and extremely dangerous when mixed with other chemicals. You and your home deserve better. That’s why we put together this guide of how-tos and FAQs to help you use our Oxygen Brightener bleach alternative.

How to use Oxygen Brightener safely

Oxygen Brightener is a safer alternative to chlorine bleach. Its cleaning power comes from sodium percarbonate, an oxidizing agent that breaks down organic compounds. It’s a more people and planet-friendly bleach alternative that cleans, whitens, deodorizes, and removes stains from fabrics and surfaces.

While sodium percarbonate is safer for your family and the environment than chlorine bleach, it is still a powerful chemical that should be used properly. However you use Oxygen Brightener, be sure to follow these safety guidelines:

• Do not mix Oxygen Brightener with other chemicals such as chlorine or ammonia. While sodium percarbonate is generally not as dangerous as bleach or ammonia, it’s always safest to avoid mixing chemicals and products that are not designed to work together. Oxygen Brightener is safe to use with our other products, like Laundry Powder and Soap Stick — in fact, we recommend it!
• Do not store Oxygen Brightener and water solutions in sealed containers. The reaction between sodium percarbonate and water releases gas, which creates pressure in sealed containers. 
• We do not recommend using Oxygen Brightener with septic systems. While your system may be able to handle a small amount of Oxygen Brightener, we recommend consulting a septic system professional before use. Oxygen Brightener is gentler on septic systems than chlorine bleach, sodium percarbonate is an oxidizing agent that kills the bacteria that are necessary for septic systems to work properly.
• Avoid contact with eyes and skin and do not ingest. In case of eye contact, rinse your eyes with water for 15 minutes. In case of skin contact, wash the affected area with soap and water. If ingested, drink plenty of water to dilute, and do not induce vomiting.

How to use Oxygen Brightener as a laundry booster

Oxygen Brightener is an easy and effective laundry booster. The combination of sodium percarbonate and washing soda softens hard water, helps detergents penetrate deeper into fabrics, and breaks down organic compounds. 

For best results, follow these steps:

1. Only use Oxygen Brightener as directed on compatible fabrics
2. Use Oxygen Brightener with Laundry Powder
3. Use the right amount of powder for your machine and load
4. Place powder directly in the washing machine drum before adding clothes
5. Use the right temperature setting for your machine and season

We’ll walk through each of these steps in more detail.

Only use Oxygen Brightener as directed on compatible fabrics

Oxygen Brightener is safe for many fabrics, including lights, darks, colors, cotton, synthetics, and more. It is a color-safe bleach alternative that’s effective at brightening clothes and removing stains. However, it should not be used to clean wool, silk, and other fabrics made from delicate natural fibers.

Here is a complete list of fabrics you can clean with our products. Be sure to follow the safety guidelines at the beginning of this guide when using Oxygen Brightener to do laundry.

Use Oxygen Brightener with Laundry Powder

Oxygen Brightener is designed to enhance the performance of laundry detergents like our Laundry Powder. Use it to soften hard water, break down tough stains, remove odors like sweat and smoke, and brighten faded whites. It’s especially useful for fabrics where dirt and odors build up over time, like workout clothes, bath towels, and rags.

How much Oxygen Brightener to use per load

How much Oxygen Brightener you should use depends on your washing machine and the size and soil level of the load you’re washing. Start with 1/2 tablespoon if you have a high-efficiency (HE) washer or 1 tablespoon if you have a standard (non-HE) machine. This is based on a typical washing machine size of approximately 3.1–4 cubic feet and a load size of about 12–16 pounds. 

The stainless steel scoop that comes with our Laundry Powder canister measures 1 tablespoon, meaning that you may only use about half a scoop of Oxygen Brightener per load.

Most newer machines are high-efficiency, meaning they are designed to use less water and energy. If your washer has an “HE” logo on it, then it’s a high-efficiency machine. Otherwise, you can find out if you have an HE washer by checking the user manual or searching for it online using the model number.

You can adjust the amount of powder used based on the size of the load. For very small loads, use a bit less. For very large loads, add a bit more. The goal is to get enough powder to effectively clean your clothes while completely dissolving in the wash.

The same goes for the soil level of the load. If your clothes are very dirty or stained, such as from gardening, exercising, or cooking, you can add a bit more powder. If they just need a light clean, you can use less powder.

Where to put Oxygen Brightener in the washing machine

In both front-loading and top-loading washing machines, add the powder directly to the drum before adding clothes. This prevents powder from getting caught in your clothes during the wash and ensures that water can easily reach and dissolve the powder.

For best results, do not add the powder to the dispenser drawer. Machines that are designed for liquid detergents and boosters may not flush the drawer with enough water to dissolve and wash out powders. Undissolved powder can build up in your machine and cause unwanted odors and dinginess.

What temperature water to use for laundry with Oxygen Brightener

Oxygen Brightener is designed to work in the same water temperatures as laundry detergent. In modern washing machines, the ‘cold’ setting mixes hot and cold water to reach 60 degrees F, the minimum temperature required for laundry detergents. That means in most cases you can use the cold cycle to save energy and money while washing your clothes.

However, there are some exceptions:

Cold weather laundry

‘Tap cold’ uses water straight from the pipes in your home without adjusting the temperature. For best results, we recommend using ‘cold’ instead of ‘tap cold’ if your machine has both options. 

During the cold winter months, the ‘tap cold’ water temperature can dip below 60 degrees. When doing laundry in freezing weather, you might want to use ‘semi-warm’ or ‘warm’ to ensure that the water gets to the right temperature fast enough.

Sanitizing

Cold water works great for regular washing, but hot water is recommended for sanitizing. According to the CDC, “you probably do not need to sanitize or disinfect unless someone in your home is sick or someone sick has recently visited.” Since hot water uses more energy and can be hard on your clothes, we recommend saving it for when someone is sick.

Care instructions

Certain fabrics may require specific water temperatures. While cold water is best for delicate, dark, and colorful fabrics, some items may benefit from warmer water temperatures. For best results, always defer to the care instructions on the product tag.

Our Oxygen Brightener is color-safe, so you can use it on lights, darks, and colors. It is not safe for delicate natural fibers, including wool and silk.

How to use Oxygen Brightener as an oxygen cleaner

Oxygen Brightener is a powerful stain remover, deodorizer, and general-purpose cleaner with many uses around the house. It excels at removing organic matter like dirt, sweat, oil, grease, and coffee. For best results, follow these steps:

1. Only use Oxygen Brightener as directed on compatible surfaces
2. Create a liquid solution by mixing Oxygen Brightener with warm water
3. Use the solution to clean surfaces and soak objects
4. Wash and rinse surfaces and objects thoroughly after cleaning

We’ll walk through each of these steps in more detail.

Only use Oxygen Brightener as directed on compatible surfaces

Oxygen Brightener is a versatile cleaner that can be used to clean dishes, mugs, thermoses, cookware, trash cans, tubs, tiles, grout, and more. It should not be used on delicate or natural materials, such as jewelry, wood, or painted surfaces.

Here is a complete list of surfaces you can clean with our products. Be sure to follow the safety guidelines at the beginning of this guide when using Oxygen Brightener around the house.

Create a liquid solution of Oxygen Brightener and water

How much Oxygen Brightener and water you mix together depends on what you want to clean and how strong of a cleaner you want to make. Start with 1 tablespoon of powder for each 16 ounces of warm water. For a bigger batch, that’s about 1/2 cup of powder for each gallon of water.

This makes a liquid solution that’s effective for general cleaning. For very soiled items or extra tough stains, you can make a stronger solution by adding more powder. You can even make a heavy-duty cleaning paste by mixing equal parts of Oxygen Brightener and water, such as 1 tablespoon of each. This is a great solution for cleaning grout.

Mix only as much solution as you need for the task at hand. The ingredients in Oxygen Brightener react with the water and lose effectiveness over time, so it’s better to make a new solution each time you need one.

Be careful not to mix or store the mixed solution in sealed containers. The reaction between sodium percarbonate and water releases gas, which can create pressure when trapped in a sealed container. If you’re using the solution to soak a water bottle, thermos, or other resealable container, keep the lid off while soaking.

Use the solution to clean surfaces and soak objects

Use the liquid solution with a rag, sponge, or scrub brush to clean a variety of surfaces. This method is great for scrubbing away mold from showers and tubs, removing food stains from sinks and countertops, and deodorizing trash cans.

Oxygen Brightener is fantastic for soaking a wide range of different items. Prepare a solution of the desired strength in a bucket or similar open container, then submerge whatever you want to clean for up to 6 hours.

Here are some of our favorite things to soak:

• Strip coffee and tea stains from mugs, thermoses, kettles, and carafes
• Remove set-in oil and grease from stainless steel pots and pans
• Get rid of residue from hard-to-remove stickers and labels
• Deodorize smelly workout clothes and sports gear like helmets and shin guards
• Remove smoky odors from clothes that spent too much time near a bonfire
• Brighten dingy whites by pre-soaking them before the wash cycle

 

Rinse surfaces and objects thoroughly after cleaning

Be sure to rinse surfaces and objects with water after soaking and cleaning them with Oxygen Brightener. This will prevent the Oxygen Brightener from drying and sticking to the items. It also prevents anyone from handing them from getting irritated skin or eyes from direct contact with sodium percarbonate.

To rinse objects that you soaked or scrubbed, simply hold them under running water from the faucet. Use a sponge, dish cloth, or scrub brush to wipe any hard-to-reach crevices and loosen any remaining powder or dirt.

Rinse hard surfaces with warm water by spraying them with a spray bottle or wringing out a wet cloth or towel. Use a clean, dry cloth or towel to wipe everything up until completely dry for a streak-free finish.

Use Oxygen Brightener with Soap Stick for clothing stains

For extra tough or set-in stains, add an Oxygen Brightener soak to your stain removal process. Follow these steps:

1. Use the Soap Stick as directed
2. Create an Oxygen Brightener solution as directed above
3. Soak the stained fabric in the solution between 30 minutes and 6 hours, depending on the stain and how long it has been sitting
4. Wash as normal
5. Check stain before drying and repeat steps 1–4 if necessary

Do not use Oxygen Brightener on wool or silk, or if you have a septic tank.

How to open the Oxygen Brightener container

Our plastic-free Oxygen Brightener is packaged in a paper canister with steel ends. To open it, follow these steps:

1. Cut the adhesive tab that connects the lid to the can
2. Loosen the lid slightly
3. Remove the lid from the can using a twisting motion
4. Wipe the lid and the top of the can to remove any loose powder

Let’s break that down:

• Start by gently cutting the adhesive tab that holds the lid in place using a table knife. 

• Holding the can by the bottom end, you can then loosen the lid slightly by running a table knife along the edge between the lid and the can. Don’t press too hard during this step, as there is nothing to cut other than the adhesive tab and you don’t want to damage the canister.

• Firmly grasp the can in one hand and the lid in another. Use a gentle unscrewing motion to loosen the lid while slowly twisting it upward. 

• Once you’ve removed the lid, check for any loose powder where the lid connects to the top of the canister. Wiping this area with a dry cloth can help reduce friction caused by powder caught between the can and the lid.

How to store Oxygen Brightener

Oxygen Brightener can be stored in the paper-and-steel it comes in or in the container of your choice. It does not expire. However, if exposed to moisture or humidity, the powder can harden and clump up. This does not reduce its effectiveness, but it should be broken up or crumbled back into a powder before use. If you plan to store oxygen powder in a humid environment, we recommend using an airtight container, such as a hinged jar with a rubber gasket. For heavy cleaners and launderers, our zero-waste Oxygen Brightener bucket is a great bulk option that includes a resealable lid.

Whatever container you choose, you can save money and reduce waste with our Oxygen Brightener refill bags. Each bag contains the same amount of powder as the canister but comes in a recyclable, compostable kraft paper bag.

Frequently-asked questions about using Oxygen Brightener

Can I use Oxygen Brightener in a high-efficiency (HE) machine?

Yes! Our Oxygen Brightener is designed to work in both HE and standard washing machines. We recommend using 1/2 tablespoon in HE washers and 1 tablespoon in standard washers. The canister and refill bag each include enough powder for about 128 HE loads or 64 standard loads.

Can I use Oxygen Brightener with a septic tank?

We do not recommend using Oxygen Brightener with septic systems. Sodium percarbonate is an oxidizing agent that kills the bacteria that are necessary for septic systems to work properly. Your system may be able to handle a small amount of Oxygen Brightener. We recommend consulting a septic system professional before use to confirm how much, if any, your system can accommodate.

Does Oxygen Brightener work with cold water washes?

In most cases, Oxygen Brightener and Laundry Powder will work well in the ‘cold’ cycle, but you may want to use ‘semi-warm’ or ‘warm’ in cold weather. Laundry Powder, like all other laundry detergents and soaps, requires water to be at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.56 degrees Celsius) to work properly.  In most modern washing machines, the ‘cold’ cycle mixes cold and hot water to reach this temperature. However, some machines also have a ‘tap cold’ setting that does not add hot water and may therefore not get warm enough to activate detergent. Additionally, cold weather can lower the temperature of water in your pipes and prevent the wash cycle from becoming warm enough. In this case, we recommend a warmer setting.

Does Oxygen Brightener work with hard water washes?

Yes! We use washing soda (sodium carbonate) in our Oxygen Brightener as a water softener to help Laundry Powder work in a variety of water conditions. Hard water refers to water with higher levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. Washing soda prevents calcium and magnesium from interacting with the soap in Laundry Powder. This helps the soap do its job of cleaning instead of getting caught up in hard water deposits and soap scum. Here's an interesting map of water hardness in the United States.

Does Oxygen Brightener clog pipes or cause plumbing issues?

No! Our Oxygen Brightener is ultra-concentrated and made entirely from sodium percarbonate and washing soda — no fillers! It should dissolve completely in the wash cycle, provided the water reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Most machines reach this temperature, even on the ‘cold’ cycle. However, the water may not get warm enough using the ‘tap cold’ setting or if it is particularly cold outside when you're doing laundry.  We also recommend using only a small amount of powder (1 tablespoon for standard machines and 1/2 tablespoon for high-efficiency machines) and placing the powder on the bottom of the drum before adding clothes. Some washers are designed to only use liquid detergents and boosters, so we would recommend checking your user's manual if that is a concern. Oxygen Brightener should not be used with septic systems. Sodium percarbonate is an oxidizing agent that will kill the bacteria necessary for septic systems to work properly.

What surfaces can I clean with Oxygen Brightener?

Oxygen Brightener is a versatile cleaner that can be used to clean dishes, mugs, thermoses, cookware, trash cans, tubs, tiles, grout, and more. It should not be used on delicate or natural materials, such as jewelry, wood, and paint. Oxygen Brightener should not be used in tubs, sinks, and washers that drain into septic systems, as it contains sodium percarbonate that may affect the system’s bacteria. Find a complete list of surfaces you can clean with our products.

What fabrics can I clean with Oxygen Brightener?

Oxygen Brightener is safe for many fabrics, including lights, darks, colors, cotton, synthetics, and more. It is a color-safe bleach alternative that’s effective at brightening clothes and removing stains. However, it should not be used to clean wool, silk, and other fabrics made from delicate natural fibers. Oxygen Brightener should not be used in tubs, sinks, and washers that drain into septic systems, as it contains sodium percarbonate that will kill bacteria. Find a complete list of fabrics you can clean with our products.

Is Oxygen Brightener safe for use on baby items?

Yes, Oxygen Brightener can be used to wash baby clothes and clean baby items, but it should be thoroughly rinsed off of the items before you use them. Our products are recommended MADE SAFE® Healthy Pregnancy Guide.

Is Oxygen Brightener Scrub safe for pets?

Yes, Oxygen Brightener can be used to wash and clean pet items, but it should be thoroughly rinsed off of the items before you use them.

Does Oxygen Brightener contain harsh chemicals?

No! Our Oxygen Brightener is made with washing soda and sodium percarbonate. It is free of bleach, chlorine, dyes, preservatives, fragrances, and other harsh chemicals commonly used in oxygen cleaners and bleach products. All our products are MADE SAFE® certified, meaning they meet the strictest ingredient screening requirement in the industry. Please note that sodium percarbonate is a strong oxidizing agent that should never be mixed with other chemicals like chlorine and ammonia. It may irritate eyes and skin. Follow these directions for your safety: Do not mix with other chemicals such as chlorine or ammonia. These are common in conventional cleaning products. In case of eye contact, rinse with water for 15 minutes.  In case of skin contact, wash with soap and water.  If ingested, drink plenty of water to dilute, and do not induce vomiting.

Does Oxygen Brightener expire?

No! Our Oxygen Brightener is naturally shelf-stable and does not contain preservatives.  Preservatives are “natural or synthetic compounds that help slow or prevent bacterial growth in a wide range of products, including foods, medicines, and personal care products.” Bacterial growth is common in products with water as a primary ingredient, such as liquids and gels. All of our products are concentrated dry powders or solid soaps that do not require added preservatives.

Does Oxygen Brightener contain preservatives?

No! Our preservative-free Gentle Home Cleaning Scrub does not expire and is naturally shelf-stable.  While you may notice the powder clumping in really humid environments, this will not hinder the effectiveness at all. Simply break the clump apart before using the powder.