11 Surprising Ways to Use Oxygen Bleach in Your Home

Oxygen bleach can be used all over your home to disinfect surfaces, remove stains, and eliminate foul odors. It’s a gentler and more environmentally friendly alternative to classic bleach since it doesn’t contain chlorine. Available in liquid and powder form, it needs to be mixed with warm or hot water to activate its antibacterial, and stain-fighting properties.

You can use oxygen bleach in your laundry, disinfect the refrigerator, clean grimy grout, remove tough stains, and even deodorize stinky dog beds and toys. It’s also suitable for outdoor use and an excellent way to clean a deck, patio, or brick surfaces.

Keep reading for a complete list of ways you can use oxygen bleach throughout your home.

What Is Oxygen Bleach?

Oxygen bleach is a plant-derived product made from sodium percarbonate and hydrogen peroxide. It has similar stain-fighting and antibacterial properties to regular bleach but does not contain chlorine, which makes it both more gentle and environmentally friendly. It also makes it generally safe to use with both white and colored laundry, since it doesn’t have the same effect on colored fabrics.

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Ways to Use Oxygen Bleach Throughout Your Home

Remove Stains

Remove tough stains or pre-treat heavily soiled laundry with oxygen bleach. To activate its stain-fighting properties, oxygen bleach needs to be combined with warm water. Mix a tablespoon of oxygen bleach with four cups of water, apply it to the stain, then let it sit for a couple of minutes. Once you notice the stain is gone, rinse and wash the item as usual.

Brighten White Laundry

Brighten white laundry items by adding one to two tablespoons of oxygen bleach to a load. It works best with warm or hot water, and you can either add oxygen bleach in liquid or powder form or opt for a laundry detergent that contains oxygen bleach.

Boost Color in Laundry

Unlike regular bleach that contains chlorine, oxygen bleach can be used on white as well as colored laundry to boost color. To be safe, check the garment’s care tag and test the oxygen bleach on an inconspicuous spot first.

Wipe Kitchen Surfaces

Wipe down kitchen countertops with oxygen bleach to not only clean them but to disinfect them and remove potential bacteria. Mix oxygen bleach with warm water and dip a clean microfiber cloth in the solution, then wipe down countertops and other kitchen surfaces for a regular deep clean.

Deodorize Pet Items

Whether it’s your pet’s bed, stuffed toys, or a blanket, deodorize them with oxygen bleach. Not only will it remove stains, it will get rid of lingering odors without the use of harsh chemicals that could bother your pet.

Clean Cutting Boards

Add enough hot water to powdered oxygen bleach to make a thick but spreadable paste. Wipe down the cutting board with the paste using a sponge or brush, allow it to sit for a couple of minutes, then rinse with hot water. The oxygen bleach will remove stains as well as odors effectively.

Sanitize the Fridge

Oxygen bleach is effective in removing mold, bacteria, and mildew, all of which you can find inside the refrigerator. Mix a tablespoon of oxygen bleach with two cups of warm water and use the mixture to wipe down refrigerator shelves and drawers.

Disinfect Bathroom Surfaces

Disinfect a variety of bathroom surfaces including the toilet bowl, vanity countertops, bathtub, and shower tile with oxygen bleach mixed with hot water. Use a ratio of two tablespoons per gallon of water and allow the cleaning solution to sit for up to 15 minutes on areas that are heavily stained or covered in mildew.

Remove Dirt From Grout

Make a paste by mixing powdered oxygen bleach with water until the mixture is thick but spreadable. Spread it evenly over grout in a bathroom or kitchen, allow it to work for up to 15 minutes, then rinse off with hot water.

Spruce Up an Outdoor Deck or Patio

Mold and mildew often build up on an outdoor deck or patio and oxygen bleach is an effective way to remove both without destroying any surrounding grass or potted plants. The amount of oxygen bleach you will need depends on the size of your outdoor space, but as a general rule of thumb, you’ll want two tablespoons per gallon of water.

Sweep the deck before applying the solution, then let it sit for an hour before scrubbing and rinsing off with clean water.

Clean Brick

In a large bucket, mix a gallon of warm water with two tablespoons of oxygen bleach. Dip a clean sponge or brush into the solution and use it to scrub clean indoor and outdoor brick surfaces.