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We have a great guide for you today! An easy homemade oxygen bleach for your laundry with science based tips to make sure you get the most of out of this solution!
This DIY is specifically for clothes. The ratios were created for this type of surface.
Be sure to read our post on hydrogen peroxide for more information on other surfaces!
Homemade Oxygen Bleach for Laundry
Before starting this DIY, head over to our post on hydrogen peroxide to learn more about how and why it works.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 2 cups hot water
Directions:
- Add the washing soda to a large bowl or jar, then pour the hot water on top.
- Stir it around until combined.
- Add in the hydrogen peroxide and stir again.
- Add this solution to a large bowl to soak your clothes in.***
- Top with more water to make sure the surface is covered.
- Soak for 20 minutes.
- Rinse the clothes, then add to the washing machine to wash on a normal cycle.
*** For other directions on using this solution, please read the alternate uses below. For baking soda vs washing soda, please read this post!
Picture Guide for Soaking:
Step 1: Add solution and clothing article to a bowl.
Step 2: Top with water.
Step 3: Soak for 20 minutes.
Step 4: Rinse it well with cold water.
Step 5: Let it air dry or add to a dryer. You can also add it to a normal washing cycle and wash it normally.
****UPDATE: ONE week after posting this photo, I have had multiple readers and friends in person say they enjoyed using this and it worked! I was surprised how quickly everyone used this. Here is one comment from IG I thought I would share:
Alternative Uses for Making this Homemade Oxygen Bleach:
There are a few other ways to use this solution. You can add 1 cup of washing soda and 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide into a load of whites. Then, add laundry detergent and run the washing machine on the cycle you normally would. This will help whiten and brighten white clothes, sheets, or towels.
Another alternative use is you can add this solution to a spray bottle, spray stains on white clothing. Allow to soak for 20 minutes, then wash as normal. Keep in mind hydrogen peroxide will start to degrade in the sunlight, so I would use a small spray bottle with 1/2 this solution or even use 1/4 of this solution for spraying. It is best to use the ingredients all at once since it contains hydrogen peroxide.
Washing Soda VS Baking Soda
You can use baking soda if it is all you have on hand, but washing soda will make this work better for brightening and whitening.
I plan on writing a very detailed post soon for everyone about the difference in washing soda and baking soda, but for now, I just wanted to add this section in. If you own our eBook, we share some more details on this too.
Washing soda is sodium carbonate, and baking soda is sodium Bicarbonate. They are very similar, but washing soda will create a better whitening situation. It works better in laundry situations, but again, if you don’t have it or can’t find it, baking soda can be used.
You can find washing soda in the laundry section of your grocery store or purchase online.
Read this article for detailed information on their differences!!
How To Make This Solution Like a Store-Bought Option
If you want to make this almost identical to a store-bought option like Oxi-Clean, then you will want to use a solid hydrogen peroxide option called sodium percarbonate. You can purchase it right here from Amazon. You will use the exact same ingredients as above minus the hot water, but instead of regular 3% liquid hydrogen peroxide, you can use this solid form.
This will allow you to store it in the cabinet and use as needed. It is a great option! Create a mixture of 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup solid hydrogen peroxide, store in a jar and use as needed.
If you don’t want to buy this solid hydrogen peroxide, that’s okay! This solution still works great with regular 3% hydrogen peroxide right from the store. You can see the photo below I snapped with my phone. Before using the solution, the white shirt had more yellowing in it. After using the regular solution with liquid peroxide, it helped whiten it!
Using liquid 3% hydrogen peroxide is great, and if you want to store this solution and use as needed, use the solid form.
How to Use This Solution with Solid Peroxide:
After mixing up 1 cup of washing soda with the 1 cup of solid peroxide (sodium percarbonate), you can add about 1/4 cup – 1/2 cup per load in the washing machine. If you don’t think your whites get white enough with that you can add in a little more. This mixture won’t dilute as much as liquid peroxide, so you won’t need as much.
P.s – For all those saying negative things about this picture. I am sorry I didn’t take the time to position the before and after identically. I didn’t think people would be so offended by this. The first picture is in my laundry room with french cream colored walls (you can tell by the texture). The second picture is taking in my kitchen against my white pantry doors. I snapped this quickly for my instagram stories. If you follow us on Instagram, you saw the stories for this…I only shared before and after just for reference. No, I didn’t alter the coloring of the fabric LOL. If you don’t believe me, read the comments from readers below or better yet, just try the solution. You will enjoy it 🙂
Does This Work Like Oxi-Clean?
Yes, this solution works just like oxi-clean does. If you want it to be almost identical, be sure to get this solid hydrogen peroxide like we mention above.
What is Oxygen Bleach?
Oxygen bleach is a term for hydrogen peroxide based bleach. If you recall from this post about chlorine bleach, oxygenated bleach is usually hydrogen peroxide based. This means it isn’t toxic and safer to use. It is a common term for laundry based substances like oxi-clean.
This article from the University of Kansas goes into some chemistry on oxygen bleach.
Oxygen bleach can be used for stains, whitening whites, and all types of colored fabrics. Unlike chlorine bleach, it won’t “bleach” colors in your fabric. If you use hydrogen peroxide based cleaner on a black or red colored shirt, it won’t bleach it. It will help brighten it and remove stains.
It restores things back to their normal color!
What Can You Use Homemade Oxygen Bleach On?
I think this is best for whites. I love using this for white clothes, socks, and even sheets. In the photos for this post, I used an old white undershirt. This shirt had discolored overtime, and it also was washed with a pink towel which stained it.
You can see from the photos, this DIY oxygenated bleach solution did a great job of whitening the fabric.
If you want to use it as a stain remover, be sure to test a small area first.
More Science Tips For DIY Oxygen Bleach
Here are some science based tips to make sure you get the most out of this solution.
- Make sure to use fresh ingredients!
- If you are using old washing soda or peroxide, this solution won’t work as well. Hydrogen peroxide degrades very quickly when exposed to sunlight, so if it is older, it might not be as strong. The same goes for the washing soda.
- Be sure to store in an airtight dark container.
- If you decide to store any of this solution, be sure it is in an air-tight container that is dark colored where no sunlight can get through. I recommend not trying to store this! It is best to use all at once. If you want to make something to keep on hand, try using the solid hydrogen peroxide.
You can play around with this solution to see what works best for you. Try soaking clothes or adding it right into the washing machine along with laundry detergent. Always test a small area first if you are using this on anything besides white fabrics to see how it works.
Enjoy!!
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I am super impressed with this whitening agent formula. Am going to try to get the ingredients and make some. I do have one questions; does it store well?
If you use the powdered hydrogen peroxide, it stores great. I don’t recommend storing much of the liquid. I have some more details at the bottom of the post 🙂
Thank you for this Itr will be giving it a try
It’s super easy!
Hi, Alexis!
Could you please give a couple of examples of “Washing Soda.” That’s not a term that I was familiar with, and saw several variations on Amazon. Is the Arm and Hammer one good for this (it seemed reasonably priced.)
Hi Linda! You can find washing soda in the laundry section of your grocery store. It will usually be the arm & hammer brand. I have it linked to Amazon in the section of washing soda vs baking soda. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Thank you for this article Alexis. We live on our sailboat for part of the year, I’m considering using the solid sodium percarbonate and washing soda mix. How much of this mix would I add to a load in the washing machine? For one article of clothing in a bowl? Is it environmentally friendly? I have to consider the waterways that we enjoy using for our on-water travels.
Hi Helene! Yes, it is environmentally friendly, although washing soda is a salt. You will use the same proportions as the ingredients here. 1 cup of washing soda and 1 cup of solid hydrogen peroxide. You can then add about 1 cup of this mixture to your washing machine. For soaking one article of clothing, you can also use 1 cup of that mixture then top with water.
I used this a few days ago for sheets, and WOW. They are so much brighter and clean. I used the liquid hydrogen peroxide, but I might try to get some of the powder peroxide for my towels. This is awesome, thanks for sharing
That is great to hear! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Is it safe to use this mixture on color clothes or is it just for white clothes?
It is best for whites. We have had readers use it on colors, but you would want to soak for much less time. I recommend it for whites only
Ok, I ordered the dry peroxide. I’ll mix 1 cup each, washing soda and dry peroxide. How much to put in the wash?
You can start with about 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of the mixture.
Thank you!
Where did you find the powdered dry 3% peroxide. Thank you.
I buy it on AMazon, I have it linked in the post for you
Hi, can I use 20Mule Borax as a washing soda?
Borax has a different chemical structure, so it will not work like the washing soda does.
This stuff is great. I have cream colored sheets but the pillow cases were not cream anymore. I put just enough water in the washer to cover the cases and added the ingredients then soak them for just a few minutes. I put the sheets in and finished the wash. Everything is the same color now! Also used on my husbands gray work T’s. Used the same process on one that was particularly greasy and it came out alot cleaner than I expected and much cleaner then just using detergent.
Thank you!
That is so great to hear! I am glad it worked well for you. I love using it on my sheets 🙂
Can this be used for white cotton socks?
It works good for any white fabric
Is this safe for septic tanks?
Also how do I use it in a front load washer
I prefer the powdered version for a front loading washer. Powdered peroxide and washing soda. It makes it easier
Yes it is
What happens to black undershirts with this mix? Will it dark in it? Does it impact any orders trapped in fabric? TIA for your reply, Alexis.
Hi Linda! It does help with odors…it is usually fine if the entire load of clothes is the same color. I would not mix both whites and darks using this solution though. It is best to keep it all the same color. Also, I really don’t recommend this for colored items of any kind. It is best for whites only. That being said, we have had readers use this for stains and odors on colored clothing with success. Before you try, I would definitely test it first!
Hi Alexis. From what I understand, sodium percarbonate is hydrogen peroxide + sodium carbonate by itself. So my question is, is it necessary to add sodium carbonate to it? Would it be better to use it alone by itself? Thanks in advance 🙂
It can be used on its own, but after testing out the mixture, I see more of a difference with the addition of washing soda. So, I always add it in! 🙂
Thanks for the tip. I plan on trying this on whites. Do you have a recipe for cleaning/brightening colored clothing? (I have colored towels that come out of the wash and don’t seem to be completely clean)
For colored items, I just put a scoop of washing soda into my regular laundry detergent 🙂
Happy new year Alexis, I have a question about the DIY fabric softener I have been using for a while now, just recently I am getting a lot of static cling when I take the clothes out of the dryer even the towels….Do not use it on towels!!!
I am using Vinegar/hair conditioner ( same stuff I have always used) and water.
I hope you do not have to change amounts for winter/spring/summer/fall that would be a hassle to have to adjust it for the different seasons.
Can you help?
Thank you 1-13-21
Hi!! Since this is a homemade solution, there is no way to regulate how it works. I have not been a fan of using the vinegar/hair conditioner before because it only works for a short amount of time. The hair conditioner works to temporarily soften the fabric, but in the winter, it won’t last long. There isn’t much you can do about it though except increase the hair conditioner. You can try that, but then you will have to worry about using too much which will stick into the fabrics and be very hard to rinse out.
1-15-2021
THANK you Alexis, you have been most helpful guess I will have to go back to ‘DOWNY’ BECAUSE NOW I HAVE A HIGH EFFICIENCY WASHING MACHINE AND IT SEEMS YOU HAVE TO BE SELECTIVE ESP. FOR HE MACHINES ON THE PRODUCTS YOU USE…..
I NEVER THOUGHT HAVING TO GET A NEW MACHINE WOULD HAVE SUCH CHANGES.
UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT LIKE THEM…..BUT THINGS ARE CHANGING,,,,
P.S. YOU ARE SO HELPFUL, KEEP ON, KEEPIN ON ……
Those HE machines are definitely pickier about what goes inside! Thanks so much Sandy!
Hi Alexis!!
I absolutely love everything about Chemistry Cachet, and most importantly, I truly appreciate the hard work you put in to being so detailed and specific. It is by far the very best one-stop-shop for everything related to using chemicals in DIY for homemade solutions. So much appreciation and a great many thanks to you for all you do to make Chemistry Cachet the best go-to site ever! Now for the more specific reason to my comment, I have relied on this phenomenal Oxygen Bleach mix for cleaning my laundry since I came across it about a year or so ago, as I absolutely love how gentle it is In whitening and brightening my clothes. However, I have recently been forced to upgrade to a new washer as my old washer finally quit holding water making the once manageable slow leak into an enormous annoyance and mess. As I’m sure you can guess where this might be going, in my new ownership of a fancy modern washing machine I am now learning that all my previous laundry routines are not quite possible in this new HE technology found in most all washers produced in the past few years. I really want to continue to be able to use my mix of liquid hydrogen peroxide and powder washing soda, because I just can’t go back to bleach. I was never good with it, never got consistent results, and damaged a lot of clothes, not to mention my nose and throat from the inhalants. Per my user manual, I am directed to use either liquid or powder, but no details or info on if I can use both at the same time. (And I should mention, I use liquid detergent because my husband doesn’t like anything else.) Now the instructions for filling the detergent do specify that when using a “color-safe bleach” it is to be added into the detergent compartment WITH the detergent. Of course the detergent compartment has an option for liquids or powders, but in order to use for powders there is a special tray (I call it the liquid tray) that must be removed. It is for this reason that I am under the impression that I cannot use both liquid and powder in the same detergent compartment, especially since there isn’t a second compartment for detergents. The other compartments are the standard fabric softener tray and then a chlorine bleach corner compartment. Do you have any suggestions or advice, or anything at all that may be of assistance in navigating the “pickiness” of this HE tech? I haven’t really started searching for my answer anywhere, as I was hoping my favorite “one-stop-shop” Chemistry Cachet might have the answer. You may be wondering why then am I still here and posting this comment, well Alexis, the truth is you have never failed me in all your advice. So I would much rather be patient in awaiting an answer from an honest and trusted source, rather than likely wasting tons of time looking for an answer on the inter-webs, only to guarantee myself a mess or worse, damaging my new washer. So, I hope my comment finds you well and in good health! And am hopeful for your (or anyone reading this) reply! I truly appreciate you taking the time to read (so sorry for the excessive length!) through all of this and TIA for your reply!
Many blessings,
Klea
Hi Klea! First of all, thanks so much for your kind comment. I really really appreciate hearing that!! It makes me feel like I am doing something worthwhile for others 🙂 I also have an HE washer, and they are definitely pickier. To be honest, I throw in powder to the machine and I don’t use the compartments if I am using liquid and powder together. Now, I am not sure if that is “correct” lol but it works for me. So, for something like this DIY oxygenated bleach. I throw this homemade solution into the clothes, then regular detergent into the tray. I don’t know if that will work for you, but it has worked okay for me so far. I don’t have anymore information about these washing machines though because I also recently upgraded. I hope this helps some, but thanks again for your comment. It totally made my day!
Hello. I ordered powdered peroxide but missed the part about washing soda. I have regular baking soda and I have borax. Which one do you recommend that I use until I can get washing soda?
Baking soda will be the closest in structure. You can read more about baking soda vs washing soda in this post. Baking soda will not whiten as strongly as the washing soda combination, but it will still work
I love wearing white silk during summer unfortunately it discolours to a grey hue
I only use product suitable for delicate/wool wash …..can you recommend what I could use to whiten thank you
I don’t have a lot of experience with silk, but from what I understand, silk fabrics will ruin if they are bleached in anyway. Vinegar is usually the best choice for this fabric, but here is a good article from The Spruce to read. It might be more helpful
Thank you Alexis for your prompt reply. I really appreciated the article which I found very helpful but unfortunately I don’t think I will be able to whiten my silks
I have been using H2O2 along with washing soda for decades, in lieu of chlorine. I even used it successfully on my baby’s diapers many years ago.
It is great for diapers and baby stains too!
Can this be used on other whites, like white bath towels or dish towels?
Yes, I use it on towels and sheets too
Thank you very much, Alexis. I couldn’t find my original comment. I wanted to let you know I appreciate your response about the powdered hydrogen peroxide and adding the link here.
I am happy to help! Let me know if you have any other questions
Hi,
I am reading your site on DIY oxygen bleach and I tried it. First when I mix washing soda with liquid 3% Hydrogen Peroxide the solution solidifies to a rock…not a paste. I know you can get Hydrogen Peroxide in a solid form and that is ok. But then i kept on reading and I you stated you can also put the solution in a bottle to spray stains and let them soak for 20 min. Well, How can you put it in a bottle when the solution A) is a rock if you use the liquid form and B) when using the solid form Hydrogen peroxide the combine mixture is a powder?? It doesn’t say to add water..should one add water if so, how much. what are the parts/ratio
From the site below:
“Another alternative use is you can add this solution to a spray bottle, spray stains on white clothing. Allow to soak for 20 minutes, then wash as normal. Keep in mind hydrogen peroxide will start to degrade in the sunlight, so I would use a small spray bottle with 1/2 this solution or even use 1/4 of this solution for spraying. It is best to use the ingredients all at once since it contains hydrogen peroxide. “
Hi! There should be no way for this particular solution to be solid. It is 1 cup of peroxide, 2 cups of hot water, and then just 1 cup of washing soda. I have never had it anywhere near solid because washing soda will mostly dissolve in the hot water. This is strange! You can just keep a bottle of peroxide on hand, sprinkle washing soda on stain, then spray the peroxide for stain remover if you need something quick like that. I hope that helps!
Thank you for the reply.
I am interested in a DIY solution that will bring the pots and pans original clean shine and get rid off terrible grease imbedded almost black slimy grease.
Is Oxygen bleach good? or baking soda and blue down mixed? or the soft scrub?? or the all purpose cleaner (1 TBs blue Dawn, 1 TBs isopropyl alcohol and 2 cups of water?
thank you
Hi! You mentioned our all-purpose cleaner from the eBook, so if you have the eBook we have a method for burnt pans that uses baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to clean burnt pans. While the ingredients are important, the method of application is more important. Small, strong circular motion with the peroxide/baking soda mix is what pulls up particles from pan. Other things to use are barkeepers friend or The Pink Stuff (article on that will be published tuesday, so keep an eye out then!). Another thing to keep in mind, if you have a painted coating on a pan and you have burnt particles that won’t come off with anything, it is possible the pan has damaging and it won’t be removed. I had a ceramic pan that had a red painted coating on the bottom. The paint actually burnt too after years of use, and it wouldn’t come off regardless of cleaning. This is always a possibility, so thought I would mention in case.
Thank you for that.
I have used the all purpose cleaner (1 Tbs blue Dawn, 1Tbs alcohol, 2 cups water) and it seems the solution is not strong enough to tackle grease. I tried on my cook top and it didn’t take the grease out.
For the baking soda and peroxide, I let it sit over night and scrubbed it but didn’t come out. The cookie sheet has coating and that is why it didn’t work.
I had a problem with the washing soda not dissolving in the hot water. I shook it for 2 days before adding the hydrogen peroxide and the soda never dissolved it just kept getting bigger and bigger clumps. Help please!
It won’t dissolve all the way and that is fine. I recommend pouring the hot water first, then lightly sprinkling and stirring in the washing soda. Your climate will control how much dissolves, but it is okay either way
Thank you