When we’re looking for a quick cleaning fix, it’s all too easy to reach for the bleach.
So is there an effective bleach alternative that’s more planet-friendly? That’s what we’re investigating this time.
Why ditch the bleach
The active ingredient in household bleach is sodium hypochlorite. When we use it for cleaning, it gets washed down the drain and into our water systems, where it can form pollutants which take years to break down. They can even enter the food chain.
Bleach is highly toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates and plants, and can contaminate soil. Using bleach for cleaning also exposes us to potentially harmful chemicals, causing skin irritation and even breathing problems.
So there are plenty of reasons to look for greener bleach alternative.
The bleach alternative
We’re testing oxygen bleach (also called green bleach). It’s chemical name is Sodium Percarbonate and it’s available in many eco-friendly stockists as a bleach alternative. Unlike bleach, it doesn’t contain chlorine, and breaks down into harmless oxygen, water and sodium carbonate when dissolved to water. It needs to be dissolved in warm water to activate.
The test
In my experience, there are 2 cleaning challenges where it’s tempting to use bleach.
- Quickly removing toilet stains without heavy scrubbing
- Getting whites properly white again.
I’ve tested oxygen bleach to see how it performs.
Toilet Cleaning Test
I was left with a heavily stained toilet after an AirBnB guest had left. Cleaners often rely on bleach in just this situation because it instantly “melts” poo stains.
I mixed 2-3 tablespoons of the bleach alternative sodium percarbonate with warm water, and applied the solution directly to the toilet.
Results
The solution noticeably reduced stains. However, the stains did not disappear instantly, and I still needed to use a toilet brush to finish the job. This is exactly what cleaners and clients want to avoid.
Conclusion
The bleach alternative was partially effective but judging on performance, it isn’t a direct replacement for traditional bleach. A little more time and a little more effort with the brush is required for a clean loo.
Laundry Whitening Test
I wanted to whiten a couple of white tea-towels which had become grey over time. I mixed a slightly stronger solution of oxygen bleach and left the tea-towels soaking overnight.
Results
Disappointingly, I didn’t notice that the tea-towels were significantly whiter the next morning.
However, friend and blog writer Clair Wright uses a different method for whitening. She boils the dishcloths on the hob in a solution of oxygen bleach for 5 minutes, then leaves them in the solution while it cools. Result – lovely white dishcloths. For an extra boost, dry them outside on a sunny day.
Conclusion
For this job, soaking alone didn’t meet my expectations. So if you want to try oxygen bleach, it might take a little experimenting to find a method that works for you. Nancy Birtwhistle has some handy tips to try.
How safe is this bleach alternative?
For me, a big positive with the oxygen bleach was the absence of that strong bleach smell when I mixed the solution. I noticed a very faint bleach-like smell when flushing the toilet solution. But overall, the impact of the smell was much less than with traditional bleach.
When the solution came into contact with my hands I felt a noticeable tingle. And when I accidentally touched my face, that tingled too. There’s a visible reaction when mixing the solution, so I would recommend using gloves, and maybe even a mask, when using this oxygen bleach.
My score
Environmental impact / smell / toxicity: 4/5
While it’s much less harmful than traditional bleach, oxygen bleach should still be used with care.
Cleaning effectiveness: 3/5
I found it partially effective but not strong enough on it’s own for these key problem areas.
Final Thoughts
I’m not a fan of bleach, for all the well-known environmental and health reasons. While this bleach alternative feels like a step in the right direction, it isn’t a complete solution. It’s less instantly powerful, and needs more time (or more scrubbing) to get the results I expect. Maybe that’s the pay-off for less environmental harm.
Have you tried oxygen bleach? What are your tips for getting great results?
We’re on a mission to save the planet by making Just One Swap to a greener cleaning product each month. Will you join us?
