As part of our 'Low Tox Lifestyle' series, helping you reduce and remove harmful chemicals from your home life, today we're looking at the curiously named 'Oxygen Bleach'.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering exactly what oxygen bleach is, (or you might have heard it called oxygenated bleach), you’re probably already curious about greener and healthier cleaning products over the harsh chemicals that have been in our homes for generations. More people now understand the health risks and environmental impacts of using traditional chemical based cleaning products—especially the generational go-to, common (and toxic) chlorine bleach, which used to be the golden child of cleaning products, but let’s be real—we know better now. For decades, our parents, perhaps even their parents were duped into thinking chlorine bleach was a safe cleaning solution for everything. Spoiler: it’s not. Sure, it has its place in hospitals and factories, but for everyday use? Definitely not. They didn’t bother telling anyone about the serious health risks, either. A typical story of profits over people. And those choking fumes that make your eyes water and your lungs scream? That should’ve been the first red flag.
Today, we’ve got the facts: bleach is harmful to us and the planet. But here's the good news—we don’t have to put up with it anymore. Certainly, there’s no need to expose our families, babies and pets to it when there are non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning products and safe laundry detergents that work with your body, not against it. Enter oxygen bleach powder and oxygen bleach liquid—safe, powerful, and easy to find. In this article, we’ll break down why these are your best bet as well as give our recommendations for safe and reputable oxygen bleach options toward the end of this article.
So, what exactly is oxygen bleach, and how does it stack up against chlorine bleach? If you’re here for answers, you’re not alone! As eco-friendly cleaners, we get these questions all the time. So, we've decided to break it down for you in this quick, safe cleaning products guide. Let’s talk about why chlorine bleach should stay on the store shelves, what makes oxygenated bleach the smarter choice, and why it’s becoming a green cleaning, health-conscious, non toxic alternative. Ready? Let’s go!
What is oxygen bleach?
Oxygen bleach is sodium percarbonate, an environmentally friendly cleaning agent that combines sodium carbonate with hydrogen peroxide. The reason it is named 'oxygen bleach' is because when used by dissolving in water, it breaks down into oxygen, water, and soda ash, making it and its by-products a safe and non-toxic cleaner while quite effectively lifting dirt and stains. Not only is it non-toxic to humans, but as it breaks down into oxygen and water, it's safe for our septic systems, the environment, flora and fauna, especially so when compared to toxic traditional chlorine bleach.
How does oxygen bleach work to remove stains?
When oxygen bleach comes into contact with water, it releases oxygen molecules, which help lift stains, whiten fabrics, and clean surfaces. That means when you're using oxygen bleach for your clothes, applying it to stains or using it as a soaking agent, the reaction proves effective at removing organic stains like blood, wine, coffee, and tea, making it a great alternative to chlorine bleach without the negative side-effects. Unlike chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach is safe for colors and won’t produce harmful fumes. Sounds like a winner to us.
Is oxygen bleach safe or toxic?
Oxygen bleach is completely safe and non-toxic, it breaks down into water, oxygen and soda ash when used. Entirely safe for humans, babies, pets and the environment, especially when compared to traditional chlorine bleach which can burn or irritate your skin and wreak problems on your respiratory system, let alone drastically damage our environment and waterways. Further, below are some wonderful reasons as to why in our opinion, it is inarguably a superior, healthier and safer alternative:
Eco-Friendly and Health Safe: You can find it in two ways, oxygen bleach powder and oxygen bleach liquid. Both break down into harmless by-products; oxygen, water and soda ash, making it safer for the environment. It's a biodegradable cleaner that won’t contaminate water sources or harm our native flora or aquatic life.
Non-Toxic for Babies and Pets: Since oxygen bleach doesn’t release toxic chemicals like chlorine bleach does, it's a safer option for children and pets. This makes it a great laundry replacement, especially for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Oxygen bleach, being hypoallergenic and free of harsh chemicals, is far less likely to trigger skin problems, allergies and irritation in the way that chlorine bleach does. Let's keep our babies and fur-babies healthy and safe!
Fabric Friendly and Colour-Safe: Another advantage of oxygenated bleach is that it is gentle on fabrics and surfaces. Traditional chlorine bleach is notorious for its harshness, often causing fabrics to fade or become damaged over time. Oxygen bleach is gentle enough to use on coloured fabrics without fading, making it a versatile and frankly superior cleaner for both whites and colours alike, preserving their vibrancy while still effectively removing stains and brightening materials.
Odour-Free: Unlike chlorine bleach, which fumigates a space even if well ventilated, oxygen bleach is completely odorless and harmless, making it more pleasant to use without health risk to your skin and lungs. No smell at all, in fact, it's often used to deodorise!
How do I use oxygen bleach for cleaning?
The best way to use oxygen bleach is by adding it to laundry for whitening and cleaning of clothes. It works as a safe, non-toxic laundry detergent and can be used directly in replacement of traditional bleach or as an boost to your washing machine load. Any temperature works but it's recommended to use warmer water to better activate oxygen bleach. The beauty of oxygen bleach doesn’t stop at laundry. This stuff is super versatile and can be used all around the house for safe, effective cleaning, here are some handy ways to make the most of this healthy, adaptable cleaning solution!
- Laundry Whitening, for you and Baby
Since oxygen bleach is a non-toxic and safe laundry detergent that you can add to your washing machine to brighten your laundry and remove stubborn stains, it is a fantastic health-switch for cleaning you and your baby's clothing. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of oxygen bleach to your washing machine compartment or directly in the load (you can use oxygen bleach liquid or powder). It’s particularly effective at keeping white clothes soft without the harshness of chlorine bleach, which is great for bubs sensitive skin. If you have allergies or want to avoid the ill effects of dust, mites or mould, this is a great choice to neutralise your bedding too. Have, or want to prevent allergies? You can also read more about bedding health here.
- Removing Carpet and Upholstery Stains
To remove carpet and upholstery stains, mix 1 tablespoon of oxygen bleach liquid with a cup of warm water and apply the solution to stains. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then blot with a clean cloth. The oxygen in the solution will help lift even deep-set stains. Always try on an inconspicuous section first, such as a corner, just so you can get a sense of what it will do. Once you've finished, wipe the area down with a cloth to remove remaining liquid.
- Bathroom and Tile Cleaning (Make a Paste)
Create a paste by mixing oxygen bleach powder with warm water, add the water little by little to ensure you don't over-dilute. You want a consistency a bit thicker than toothpaste, thinner than peanut butter. Once done, apply it to grout and tile surfaces. Let it sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing with a grout scrubber. The oxygen bleach will help whiten grout lines and lighten mold or mildew without releasing harmful fumes. You can leave it on for a few hours (or even overnight) before cleaning away with water. If tackling mold, remember to wear a mask where able, while oxygen bleach is safe, mold itself is highly toxic and the less exposure you have to it, the better!
- Deodorising Pet Bedding
Oxygen bleach is safe for our little fur babies too! Use the same methods as above for cleaning pet bedding and fabrics, both as a stain remover and deodoriser. Mix a solution of oxygen bleach and water, and scrub the affected areas by hand before letting soak in the laundry sink in warm water. Rinse thoroughly, dry thoroughly and you're good to go!
Why is "chlorine bleach" bad?
The reason chlorine bleach is bad is in it's design, it's a super powerful chemical made to kill living things, that’s literally its job. So, when you use it at home, it’s not just removing stains from your clothes; it’s affecting your breathing, your skin, your water supply, and let’s not even start on what it can do to sensitive babies, kids and pets. Sometimes, we get that gut feeling that a certain product might not be great for our health, even if we can’t quite pinpoint why. Traditional bleach is a perfect example. It’s not just something to avoid—it's toxic and can actually be dangerous.
While bleach has its place in controlled environments like hospitals, by using it for everyday household tasks, it'd be like using a firehose to wash your dishes—it’s overkill and does more harm than good. Chlorine bleach, or sodium hypochlorite, doesn’t just stop at cleaning. When it interacts with organic materials, it creates harmful byproducts such as trihalomethanes, chloramines, and dioxins—chemicals that are toxic, carcinogenic, and linked to reproductive health risks. So, the next time bleach fumes make you cough and your eyes water, that’s your body sounding the alarm. It’s no wonder you’re here looking for a better, safer alternative!
Is Oxygen Bleach Better than Chlorine Bleach?
Oxygen bleach is unquestionably the safer and better choice in the home. Thinking of your health, something seemingly innocuous such as using an ammonia or vinegar cleaner alongside chemical chlorine bleach can very literally be deadly. When directly mixed together, they react to release toxic chemicals, namely chlorine gas which can be fatal if inhaled. So, if you have the option to use a less toxic disinfectant, it should always be opted for. Inhalation of chlorine gas at its mildest can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, dizziness, coughing, and shortness of breath, particularly in people with pre-existing lung conditions like asthma, and for those who are generally more sensitive such as those with autoimmune disorders, MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity), young children, babies and any kinds of pets. Prolonged exposure to chlorine-based cleaners in poorly ventilated spaces can even lead to more severe lung issues and skin irritation. You may even have these items sitting in the one laundry drawer, perhaps time to rethink? Oxygen bleach on the other hand offers a variety of advantages over traditional cleaning agents like chlorine bleach, making it an ideal choice for households seeking safer, eco-friendly alternatives. One of the most significant benefits is its non-toxic, hypoallergenic nature, making it far less likely to trigger skin and breathing problems. Sounds good, yes? We think so too.
What is the Best Oxygen Bleach for Laundry?
We've found that 'Koala Eco' has come up as the best oxygen bleach for laundry. They've been a highly regarded staple of Australian home health for some years now, their 'oxygenated bleach' comes in liquid form, making it easier to measure out for laundry or spot stain cleaning, and has consistently tested best in our quality vs consistency results. Considering that, we're not surprised that it appears to be the go-to for the majority of our people's home use. If you're looking to make the switch over to greener, healthier cleaning alternative, you can order them here: Koala Eco Oxygen Bleach While we make all our own eco and organic products ourselves for use as a part of our eco-friendly cleaning service, we know not everyone has the time nor knowledge to do the same, so we generally test and recommend reputable brands to determine what we can trust above others for safe, reputable and effective oxygen bleach cleaning. Now that you know what it is, how safe it is and how to use it, it's important to find a reputable source to ensure you're getting exactly what's on the label.
What is the Best Stain Remover? Oxygen Bleach Powder
In this circumstance, the best stain remover we've found is Biome's powdered oxygen bleach. While the liquid oxygenated bleach offered by Koala Eco is our top all-round recommendation for laundry and soaking as suggested above (which covers about 80% of typical uses), a powdered bleach may be better suited for more targeted applications. For example, if you're scrubbing grout lines in the bathroom, or addressing a smaller stain—like a tennis ball-sized spill on the carpet or a coin-sized blood stain on clothing—making a paste with powdered bleach allows it to act directly on the small stain without needing to soak the entire area or item. You can find Biome's powdered oxygen bleach by clicking here, and just in case you missed it earlier (there's a lot of info here!) you can see how to make your powder into a paste above.
Your New, Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent
We've given some specific application tips above, but remember above all that oxygenated bleach requires water and higher temperatures to activate and work, so ensure at a minimum to mix it through with water before use - the warmer the water, the more effective it will be. Also keep in mind that unlike chlorine bleach and other chemical or caustic products, most eco-friendly products seldom have negative reactions with other products, meaning you can double up if you need extra strength. Feel free to add laundry powder, bicarb or a favourite soap of choice alongside your oxygenated bleach and water mixture, and agitate to remove tough stains. So long as you pre-mix thoroughly before the fabrics go in, you'll have even, balanced and effective results.
Oxygen Bleach vs Chlorine Bleach
If you need to come back for a refresher, or want to send this off to a friend that's always too busy and needs quick answers (let's be honest, that's all of us these days!), we thought we'd summarise the differences to make things easier for everyone. Here's a table of the simple comparison points of oxygen bleach vs chlorine bleach:
OXYGEN BLEACH | CHLORINE BLEACH |
Sodium Percarbonate (releases oxygen) | Sodium Hypochlorite (Releases Chlorine) |
Odourless | Intense Toxic Chlorine Fumes |
By-products: Water, Oxygen, Soda Ash | By-products: Chlorine gas, Chloramine |
Gentle on Fabrics and Woven Threads | Harsh on Fabrics and Woven Threads |
Baby Safe, Pet Safe, Family Friendly | Toxic, Poisonous, Dangerous |
Eco-friendly and Biodegradable | Damages Environment and Waterways |
Colour Safe | Not Colour Safe, Causes Fading/Discolouration |
Gentle on Skin | Can Cause Irritation and Skin Reactions |
Mild, Perfect for Cleaning Applications | For Heavy Bacterial Disinfecting i.e Hospitals |
Gentle Whitening, Maintains Fibers | Harsh Whitening, Weakens Fibers |
And there you have it! Oxygen bleach is a game-changer: versatile, powerful, and way more eco and health friendly than traditional chlorine bleach. Whether you're brightening laundry, tackling tough stains, or cleaning household surfaces, oxygen bleach is the safe, non-toxic option that gets the job done. Best part? It's odorless, family-friendly, pet-safe, and easy on the planet. We hope we've answered all your questions, but if you’ve got more, don’t hesitate to reach out. Once you switch from toxic chlorine bleach to the safer oxygen alternative, there’s no looking back! Let the chlorine bleach hit the bin—break ups are always tough, but let's leave the toxicity in the past and to move toward a future clean health!
Low Tox Lifestyle Series ✨
Ready to make smarter choices for a healthier home? Our Low-Tox Lifestyle Series is here to help you reduce and remove harmful chemicals from your everyday life. From cleaning tips to product swaps, each article is packed with practical advice to create healthier, baby safe, pet safe, toxin-free spaces 🌿
Looking for more low-tox tips? Check out the latest installments from our series below! • Safest Non-Toxic Cookware, Pots and Pans for the Home
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