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Oxygen Bleach Vs.
Chlorine Bleach
By Laura
Bramble
For a very long
time, the only real laundry bleach on the market was chlorine bleach,
popularized by industry leaders, such as Clorox.
Bleach is not
only used for stain removal in laundry, but to clean and sterilize objects and
surfaces.
Chlorine bleach
is not good for every fabric and has a very harsh smell, so oxygen bleaches
were developed that clean as well as chlorine bleaches in most applications,
but are safer on fabrics and are less harsh.
Both are
effective, but one may be preferable over the other depending on the
application.
Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine beach
is sodium hypochlorite, diluted with water to around a five percent
concentration.
Manufacturers
make it by heating lye (sodium hydroxide) or quicklime (calcium hydroxide) and
allowing chlorine gas to bubble up through it.
They then add
water to the right concentration.
Chlorine bleach
is highly caustic. It will eat away fabric and skin if left on for an extended
period, especially at full strength and take away color.
Chlorine bleach
is typically diluted even further when used for stain removal or cleaning.
It is an
unstable product that begins to lose its effectiveness after manufacturing and
becomes ineffective over time, and must be stored in a cool, dark place in a
plastic container.
Oxygen Bleach
Oxygen bleach
is hydrogen peroxide with some sodium and sometimes carbon added to it to form
a compound that releases the hydrogen peroxide when added to water.
Oxygen bleach
is a more highly concentrated product than chlorine bleach.
Many times, it
is found in powdered form, which is then added to water to activate it.
Oxygen bleach
is known as “color-safe” or “all fabric” bleach, since it does not degrade most
fabric or strip most color if used correctly, though you must still test
colorfastness before using.
It is very
stable and can be kept for over a year with no loss of effectiveness. However,
it should never be stored in metal or organic containers.
Similarities
Both bleaches
work by oxidizing stains and microbes, allowing them to be broken up and lifted
away from fabrics and surfaces.
Both have
excellent anti-microbial qualities that make them good for disinfecting laundry
and surfaces, though chlorine bleach has an edge in effectiveness.
Neither is
effective in cold water, and both require garments be rinsed well after use.
Benefits
Chlorine bleach
does not differentiate between color molecules and stains or microbes; it lifts
colors away using oxidation as well.
Even in low
concentrations, it eats away at fabric, so over time, the regular use of bleach
will deteriorate garments and fade their color.
Chlorine bleach
is toxic to aquatic life if released straight into surface water, as in storm drain
runoff from outdoor cleaning projects.
It is also
harmful to the essential bacteria in septic tanks if used in anything but very
small quantities.
It works best
in hot water, but is also effective in warm water.
It cannot be
used with other cleaners such as ammonia, as contact can released deadly
chlorine gas. It is less expensive to use than oxygen bleach.
Considerations
Oxygen bleach
is safe to use on nearly any fabric and to add to laundry loads for extended
periods with no damage to clothing.
Oxygen bleach
turns to water and oxygen when broken down, so it has no negative impact to the
environment and is safe for septic systems.
It is best if
used in the same step as laundry detergent, which makes it even more effective,
but combining steps also saves time.
It only works well in hot water, but additives can make it effective in warm water.
https://sciencing.com/oxygen-bleach-vs-chlorine-bleach-6571838.html
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