Bleach has become such a familiar object in our homes that most of us don’t think twice when pouring out a generous amount into the washing machine or mop bucket. Everyone uses bleach. There’s no other way to get whites, well, white. And it’s not like something that is such a commonplace, everyday household cleaner could be too bad for us.
…Right?
The Dangers of Chlorine-Bleach
Despite bleach showing up in cupboards all across America, many people are entirely unaware of the dangers that chlorine bleach presents to the health of our families and the environment. Chlorine bleach is shockingly caustic and, sometimes, deadly.
Try Not To Breathe
Inhalation of chlorine bleach is damaging to the nose, throat, and respiratory system. It can lead to wheezing, bronchospasm, and a lung condition that prevents sufficient oxygen from entering the bloodstream.
At room temperature, chlorine becomes a gas (which makes it far more likely to be inhaled). In its gaseous form, it can create dioxins. This is a known cancer-causing compound that has also been linked to immune disorders and reproductive health issues, including birth defects, miscarriages, infertility.
Bleach is dangerous when combined with other cleaners that contain ammonia. This mixture creates a deadly gas that can cause serious injury and death.
Don’t Touch
Bleach is corrosive and should never be handled without gloves. Contact with the skin can cause chemical burns.
“Bleach can drill a hole through stainless steel,” cautions Scott Curriden of The Scripps Research Institute’s Environmental Health and Safety Department. If it can eat away metal, consider what it can do when absorbed into our bodies.
Avoid Toxic Wastewater
When household bleach mixes with wastewater, bleach forms the organic compounds chloroform and tetrachloride. Exposure can cause dizziness, headache, fatigue, heart attack, respiratory issues, liver and kidney damage, birth defects, nerve damage, and death. And while our immediate concerns are first for our own families, it’s important to note that this toxic wastewater also washes into our streams and water supplies, where it affects local wildlife.
Fabric Damage
Aside from the health impact, chlorine bleach is also corrosive to many types of fabrics — hardly surprising, we know. Use of bleach shortens garment lifespans by eating away at the material fibers. Spandex is especially susceptible to damage, and you’ll find that many clothing items now have care labels instructing consumers to avoid the use of bleach when laundering.
Considering that Spandex is rapidly becoming a material found in everything from jeans to workout gear and undergarments, your areas of use for standard chlorine bleach are rapidly narrowing anyway.
(And as far as we’re concerned, that’s a good thing.)
The Natural Bleach Alternative: Oxygen Whitener
We know what you’re thinking. If you can’t use bleach to whiten your laundry, you’re facing lots of yellowed clothing and stains. And that’s just not realistic.
Here’s the thing, though. You don’t have to use bleach to whiten your garments and linens. There are safe alternatives out there. We know this for a fact because we created one!
Molly’s Suds Oxygen Whitener is a natural, safe, and effective bleach alternative. We combine the cleaning powers of sodium percarbonate, pure lemon essential oil, and other earth derived ingredients to break down stains, reduce dinginess and yellowing and revive your whites. This health-conscious alternative to conventional oxygen whiteners and chlorine bleach has all the whitening power, without the harsh chemicals and health hazards.
Safe For Everyone — And (Almost) Everything
Our natural bleach alternative doesn’t just act as a whitener; it works as brightener too. This means that it’s safe for whites, bright colors, and mixed white and colored fabrics of all types. (Just remember to check garment care labels before laundering!)
Safe for:
- All fabric types except wool, leather, and silk
- Swimwear
- White fabrics
- White and color fabric blends
- Vintage clothing
- Lingerie
- HE and standard washing machines
- Septic Tanks
It’s also great for homes with hard water as well, because it cuts through the hard water mineral deposits that cause “greying” or dingy whites.
But we aren’t just concerned about the safety of your laundry. We’re also concerned about the safety of your family. Because we use only non-toxic, natural ingredients, our Oxygen Whitener is gentle enough for all members of the family — even the tiniest. It is also safe for those who are chemically-sensitive or immunosuppressed.
How To Use Our Oxygen Whitener
It couldn’t be much easier. Add 2 scoops of Oxygen Whitener to the drum of your washer, or place into your pre-wash cup. For heavily soiled loads, add 4 scoops. Toss in your dirty laundry, set your washer to hot water (if this temperature compatible with your garments), and allow to soak up to two hours.
If you’re only tackling one or two garments, you can use Oxygen Whitener in a sink, tub, or bucket. Add 1-2 scoops of Oxygen Whitener, add hot water, and toss in your clothes to soak. After an hour or two, launder as directed on the garment care label.
Our Oxygen Whitner is also great for treating stains and other household DIY cleaners.
Don’t Believe Us? Try It Out
We know it’s hard to believe that there really is a natural bleach alternative out there that is not only safe but also effective. Seeing is believing! So, try it out and get ready to be surprised.
Have more questions? Contact our Laundry Guru for answers to all your laundry quandaries.
Be sure to check out our DIY page for natural alternatives to many household cleaners – we update it often! You can also join us in the fold by subscribing to our newsletter to get notified when new DIY’s are published, new products are released, sales on Molly’s Suds products, and more!