Buying Guide for Laundry Bleach
Bleach turns soils into colorless, soluble particles that are easily removed by detergents, then carried away by the washing machine. Laundry bleach comes in different types, but the one that has been around the longest is the sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) type. It is the most common type, which is used by most people. However, this is not the only type of laundry bleach available. Today, there are also two other types of laundry bleach that are commonly used. These laundry bleach types are sodium carbonate bleaches and calcium hypochlorite bleaches. Read below to find the right one.
Benefits of Laundry Bleach
Mold and Mildew
Bleach has the ability to remove harmful mildew or mold from non-porous, hard surfaces like countertops. According to the Clorox company, mixing 3/4 cup of bleach with a gallon of water makes an effective mold and mildew removal remedy. It is best to use the bleach and water mixture to rid surfaces like bathtubs, toilets, and kitchen counters of mold, mildew, and germs. You can also effectively remove mold or mildew from your shower curtain by soaking the curtain in a solution of bleach and water for three to four hours.
Helps Brighten
Bleaches help whiten, brighten and remove stains. Bleach converts soils into colorless, soluble particles which are easily removed by detergents, then carried away in the wash water. Bleach can also brighten and whiten fabrics and help remove stubborn stains.
Quick Effect
To allow the enzymes in the laundry detergent time to do their job of breaking down stains and soil, wait about five minutes after the wash cycle begins to add the diluted bleach. They are strong and effective quickly on stubborn stains.
Disinfectant
Bleach is an effective way to disinfect your household when mixed with water in the proper amounts. For instance, you can soak your baby or toddler's clothes in a bleach and water mixture of a three-fourths cup of bleach and a gallon of warm water. Rinse the clothes thoroughly and allow them to air dry in direct sunlight to maintain cleanliness and disinfect the clothes.
Factors to Consider Before Buying of Laundry Bleach
Fabric Softeners
Softener is added to some detergents, with manufacturers claiming that these combination products clean and soften clothing in a single step. A caveat: We have long advised against the use of liquid fabric softener on children’s sleepwear and on any clothes that have been treated with fire retardant. Softeners have been shown to reduce flame resistance.
Prewash Stain Removers
Life can get messy, and stains are part of it. That’s why manufacturers market stain removers that promise a brighter future—a few sprays before washing, and your favorite shirt comes out of the washer looking fresh again.
Test Item Before Bleaching
Before you use chlorine bleach on a garment, you should test to see how the fabric will react to the bleach. First, mix one teaspoon of bleach with two teaspoons of warm water. Find an inconspicuous spot on the garment like an inside seam or interior pocket of the same fabric. Use a cotton swab dipped in the bleach and water solution to dab the fabric. Allow the spot to dry completely before moving forward. If you see any change in color on the fabric or a transfer of color to the swab, do not use chlorine bleach on this fabric. It is not colorfast or dye-fast.
Dilute for Best Results
Chlorine bleach should NEVER be poured directly on clothing even if you want the bleached out look. It can cause weakening of fibers, eat holes in the fabric, and cause extensive color removal. Instead, mix one cup of bleach in one quart of warm water before adding it to any washer drum or soaking tub. Begin filling the drum with more water before adding the dirty laundry.
Conclusion
To allow the enzymes in the laundry detergent time to do their job of breaking down stains and soil, wait about five minutes after the wash cycle begins to add the diluted bleach. Adding chlorine bleach at the beginning of the wash cycle can actually hinder the effectiveness of the detergent.
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