QA

How Does Oxiclean Work Chemistry

The sodium carbonate component of OxiClean breaks up that magnetic attraction. Sodium carbonate raises the pH in the cleaning water, causing a chemical reaction that turns the positively charged stain negative. Once negatively charged, the dirt flies off of the fabric.

What chemical is OxiClean?

The OxiClean™ formulation is a combination of ingredients, the key ingredient being sodium percarbonate, sodium carbonate, surfactants and polymer. Combined, these ingredients work together to remove the toughest stains.

Is OxiClean an oxidizing agent?

The active ingredient in OxiClean is sodium percarbonate (C2H6Na4O12). This chemical is a great detergent and a powerful bleaching agent. Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing substance in its own right and can “bleach away” stains.

Does OxiClean really do anything?

Oxyclean works great, and I have never had it damage anything (unlike chlorine bleach). I usually use it to soak stained items. If you let them sit for several hours the stains are usually gone when I remove the items from the solution. If there is any stain left, it generally washes out in the washer.

What does OxiClean react?

OxiClean breaks down into hydrogen peroxide, and combining hydrogen peroxide with chlorine bleach creates a chemical reaction and poisonous gases. Breathing high levels of these toxic fumes can be fatal, especially in a room with poor ventilation.

Are there enzymes in OxiClean?

For stains or as an extra ammonia fighting agent in my prewash. One of the ingredients that helps OxiClean Laundry Detergent attack stains and smells so effectively is enzymes, specifically proteolytic enzymes. They work in much the same way the live enzymes work in Bac Out.

What pH is OxiClean?

When properly dissolved, the pH of OxiClean can be as high as 11.

Is OxiClean just hydrogen peroxide?

I was surprised to discover that OxiClean does not contain magical, stain-removing fairy dust. What it does contain is a powdered version of hydrogen peroxide and good, old-fashioned washing soda. This combination is also known and referred to as Oxygen Bleach.

Is OxiClean a detergent or an additive?

A: OxiClean is a detergent itself and would not need to be mixed or added with other detergents. It is not a detergent, therefore you need to use a laundry detergent with it.

Does OxiClean contain optical brighteners?

Does OxiClean™ Color Boost Color Brightener + Stain Remover Liquid have Optical Brighteners in it? Yes. OxiClean™ Color Boost Color Brightener + Stain Remover Liquid is color safe.

Can you mix OxiClean and vinegar?

A mixture of vinegar and OxiClean is a common stain remover. OxiClean, available in regular and unscented varieties, is an oxygen-based stain remover suitable for many household uses. Mixing OxiClean and vinegar provides you with a dual purpose cleaner useful in a variety of situations.

Can you mix borax and OxiClean?

You can mix OxiClean and borax with most bleach-free laundry detergents, but always check the label first and call the brand if you’re not sure. Mixing OxiClean or borax with cleaners that contain ammonia or bleach could produce toxic gas. As a general safety rule, only mix borax and OxiClean with water.

Is OxiClean better than bleach?

Chlorine bleach is not good for every fabric and has a very harsh smell, so oxygen bleaches were developed that clean as well as chlorine bleaches in most applications, but are safer on fabrics and are less harsh. Both are effective, but one may be preferable over the other depending on the application.

Is OxiClean a surfactant?

Surfactants are detergents. The OxiClean surfactants are low-sudsing and ion neutral so the dirt can be easily whisked away once the other ingredients loosen it.

Does OxiClean have toxic ingredients?

Yup, plain old hydrogen peroxide is the active ingredient in OxiClean. Hydrogen peroxide is not carcinogenic, nor is it a neurotoxin. It’s environmentally-friendly and non-toxic.

Is OxiClean sodium percarbonate?

OxiClean contains several ingredients, but the important one for boosting and brightening laundry is sodium percarbonate — basically, dry hydrogen peroxide plus washing soda (also called sodium carbonate, which is very similar to but not exactly baking soda).

Does OxiClean break down urine?

Oxyclean is a good product to remove the urine and fecal odors from the home. This product actually eliminates any odor during clean up. As with all cleaning products, a test spot in an unnoticeable area is recommended.

Is Borax an enzyme cleaner?

While vinegar, borax powder, and hydrogen peroxide are impressive cleaning agents, they are unfortunately not an enzyme cleaner. They do break down stains, but it’s not by using enzymes like protease and terpenes. On the other hand, borax and hydrogen peroxide work to break the bonds in stains.

Does OxiClean work on dog urine?

OxiClean™ Carpet & Area Rug Stain Remover works best on pet stains such as urine, feces, pet vomit and more.

Is OxiClean considered a bleach?

Oxygen bleach (like OxiClean) is an alternative to chlorine bleach, and it’s safe for many fabrics. You can use it to remove stains on colors, as well as whites. It doesn’t contain scary chemicals and it won’t ruin most fabrics—though you should avoid using it on silk or leather.

Is OxiClean oxygen bleach?

Oxiclean contains about 50-60% active oxygen bleach (Sodium percarbonate).

Is OxiClean soda ash?

The active ingredient in OxiClean is a generic white powder substance called sodium percarbonate. Generic sodium percarbonate is better than OxiClean, because OxiClean is only half sodium percarbonate. The balance of the product is soda ash (see above) and inert fillers.