OxiClean is a popular laundry booster and stain remover that can be used to get clothes cleaner and brighter. It contains sodium percarbonate, which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide to help remove stains and lift dirt. Using OxiClean in your regular laundry routine can help boost your detergent’s cleaning power, allow you to wash clothes in colder water, and make whites whiter and colors brighter.
In this complete guide, we will cover everything you need to know about using OxiClean in your washing machine, including:
- Benefits of Using OxiClean
- How It Works
- How Much to Use
- When to Add it to Your Wash Cycle
- Tips for Maximizing its Effectiveness
- Precautions When Using
- Frequently Asked Questions
Follow these simple instructions to get the most out of OxiClean and take your laundry to the next level!
Table of Contents
Benefits of Using OxiClean in Washer
Here are some of the top benefits of using OxiClean as a laundry booster:
- Enhanced Stain Removal – OxiClean is excellent at removing tough stains like grease, blood, wine, grass, dirt, etc. Its active ingredient, sodium percarbonate, breaks down into hydrogen peroxide which lifts and loosens stains.
- Whitens Whites – The whitening action of OxiClean can make white clothes up to 3 shades whiter by removing dulling grime and stains.
- Brightens Colors – It can help restore vibrancy to faded colors.
- Deodorizes Clothes – OxiClean acts as a deodorizer to help remove tough odors like smoke, sweat, and mildew.
- Cleans in Lower Temps – It allows clothes to get clean in cool and warm water temperatures, saving energy and protecting fabrics.
- Saves Money – Using less detergent and washing in cooler temps means saving money on your utility bills. It can also prolong the life of clothes.
- Eco-Friendly – Washing clothes in cold water is better for the environment and OxiClean makes this easier. It’s biodegradable too.
- Versatile – OxiClean can be used on all washable fabrics and is safe for most colors. It works great in both high-efficiency and standard machines.
How Does OxiClean Work?
OxiClean is an oxygen-based laundry booster that works using the power of oxygenation. Here’s how it works:
- Its main active ingredient is sodium percarbonate, which is a dry, powdered hydrogen peroxide.
- When dissolved in water, sodium percarbonate breaks down and releases hydrogen peroxide and soda ash (sodium carbonate).
- The hydrogen peroxide acts as a bleaching agent to whiten clothes and remove stains. It lifts dirt from the fabric and breaks down stubborn stains.
- Soda ash works as a detergent booster, softening water and increasing pH to enhance cleaning. It removes soils and suspends dirt in the wash water.
- The oxygenation provided by hydrogen peroxide loosens the soil’s adhesion to the fabric. This allows stains to be removed easily during the washing process.
- In short, the combined cleaning action of oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and soda ash in OxiClean makes it highly effective at stain removal and whitening.
How Much OxiClean to Use in Washer?
The amount of OxiClean you should use in the washing machine depends on the load size and how dirty the clothes are. Here are some general guidelines on how much to use per load:
For Lightly Soiled Loads:
- Small load – 1/2 scoop (about 1 ounce)
- Medium load – 1 scoop (about 2 ounces)
- Large/extra-large load – 2 scoops (about 4 ounces)
For Heavily Soiled/Stained Loads:
- Small load – 1 scoop (about 2 ounces)
- Medium load – 2 scoops (about 4 ounces)
- Large/extra-large load – 3 scoops (about 6 ounces)
For a Top-Loader Machine:
Add OxiClean to the drum with your clothes before adding the detergent.
For a Front-Loader Machine:
Add OxiClean to the detergent dispenser compartment or drum before the detergent.
Tip: When in doubt, start with less OxiClean. You can always re-wash clothes with more if needed. Too much can leave a residue.
When to Add OxiClean to Your Wash Cycle
For a Top-Loading Machine:
- Load clothes into the washing machine drum.
- Add the recommended amount of OxiClean on top of the clothes.
- Add the detergent on top of the OxiClean.
- Start the wash cycle as normal. The detergent and OxiClean will dissolve as the water fills up.
For a Front-Loading Machine:
- Load the clothes into the drum.
- Add the required amount of OxiClean to the detergent dispenser drawer first before adding any detergent.
- Add detergent to the dispenser drawer as you normally would.
- Begin the wash cycle.
OxiClean should go into the drum or detergent dispenser before any laundry detergent to maximize cleaning power. The important thing is to let OxiClean dissolve first before the detergent.
Tips for Maximizing OxiClean’s Effectiveness
Follow these tips to get the best results from using OxiClean in your washer:
- Don’t use more than the recommended amount. Too much can leave a residue.
- Use warm or hot water to activate OxiClean fully. Cold water can dilute its strength.
- For heavy stains, pretreat with OxiClean paste before washing. Make a paste with water and apply it directly on stains.
- Soak heavily soiled or stained clothes for 3-6 hours in OxiClean solution before washing.
- Use OxiClean as a soak for smelly clothes to remove odors and brighten them.
- Boost your regular detergent by adding OxiClean to every load. It supercharges detergent cleaning power.
- Use it alone occasionally to deep clean whites and remove stains and dinginess.
- Shake the container before scooping out OxiClean to prevent clumping.
- Store OxiClean in a cool, dry place in its original container away from direct sunlight.
Precautions When Using OxiClean
While OxiClean is generally safe to use on most washable fabrics, follow these precautions:
- Check the garment care label first before using it on delicates and specialty fabrics. Spot test an inconspicuous area.
- Don’t pour OxiClean directly on fabric as the granules may cause abrasion damage. Dissolve first.
- Don’t use on non-colorfast fabrics as the hydrogen peroxide can lead to discoloration.
- Avoid using too much as it can damage fabrics, leave behind residues, and cause yellowing.
- Don’t use OxiClean on silk, wool, or any bleedable fabrics since hydrogen peroxide can destroy dyes.
- Rinse clothes thoroughly after washing with OxiClean to remove all residues.
- Don’t mix OxiClean with chlorine bleach – it reduces effectiveness. Use them separately.
- Store it safely out of reach of children and pets when not in use.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does OxiClean disinfect laundry?
No, OxiClean is not a registered disinfectant and does not claim to disinfect laundry. It is only meant to remove stains, whiten fabrics, and boost detergent cleaning. Using OxiClean alone will not sanitize clothes or kill germs and bacteria.
2. Can OxiClean be used on all fabric types?
OxiClean is safe for use on most colorfast washable fabrics like cotton, polyester, nylon, linen, etc. But it should be avoided on silk, wool, leather, spandex, non-colorfast fabrics as the hydrogen peroxide can damage them. Always check clothing labels first.
3. Where should OxiClean be placed in a front-loader machine?
In a front-loading machine, OxiClean should go into the detergent dispenser drawer first before adding laundry detergent. This allows it to dissolve completely before the wash cycle.
4. How long does OxiClean take to work?
OxiClean generally needs 30 minutes to fully dissolve and activate in the wash water. For tough stains, pretreat with an OxiClean paste for 3-6 hours before washing. For extra cleaning power, do a presoak in an OxiClean solution overnight before washing.
5. Is it necessary to use OxiClean with every load?
No, it’s not essential to add OxiClean to every laundry load. Use it occasionally when you want to boost stain removal, whiten whites, or refresh dingy clothes. Adding it to every 2-3 washes is sufficient for maintenance.
Conclusion
OxiClean is an incredibly useful laundry booster that can take your washing to the next level. By following the simple tips in this guide, you can harness the stain-fighting power of OxiClean to remove tough stains, whiten whites, brighten colors, and supercharge your detergent.
Use the recommended dosages based on load size and soil level. Make sure to add it to the drum or dispenser before the detergent. Pay attention to fabric care labels and precautions. With proper use, OxiClean can help keep your clothes looking like new!
