Posted by Les Mauvaises Herbes
Looking for a healthier alternative to your trusty bleach to brighten up your lovely bedding? Or something just as effective for removing stains as your Oxyclean?
Three words: sodium percarbonate.
The sodium percarbonate is a super practical white powder, also known as "solid hydrogen peroxide." Its chemical formula is Na₂CO₃·1.5H₂O₂. Basically, the formula tells us that this ingredient is the result of a reaction between sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide.
It should absolutely not be confused with baking soda, washing soda, or caustic soda. These are all completely different ingredients, with very different uses and precautions as well.
Why do we love it?
- It is an outstanding whitening agent.
- It does not alter colors.
- It is a magical stain remover (blood, wine, coffee, chocolate, grass, grease, ink… you name it!).
- It is an effective disinfectant.
- It eliminates mold.
- It acts as an odor neutralizer.
- It has a descaling effect.
- It is eco-friendly.
- It is economical.
- It can serve as an all-purpose cleaner (we also love it in the kitchen, the bathroom, for spot-cleaning a rug, etc.).
It is, quite simply, the best of both worlds between bleach and Oxyclean, without the harmful effects on the environment, since it contains no chlorine, phosphates, or preservatives.
Stain-removing and whitening power, but without the bleaching effect of chlorine bleach, without the "swimming pool" smell, and guilt-free—plus, it has uses all over the house? You have to admit, you're tempted!
A few precautions
Before you get started, there are still a few usage precautions to take:
- It is best to wear gloves when cleaning with sodium percarbonate.
- Avoid inhaling the powder or the vapors released when mixing it with water.
- NEVER store sodium percarbonate once it is mixed with water. Oxygen is released, and if the mixture is placed in an airtight container, it could cause it to burst! Keep this ingredient only in powder form, in a dry place.
- Warning: upon contact with water, sodium percarbonate creates a nice foam that tends to expand. For soaking, do not overfill your container with water, or it might overflow!
- Avoid any contact of sodium percarbonate with the eyes, as well as the skin on your face and body.
- Keep the product away from any flames.
- Do not ingest it, obviously...
- And keep it out of reach of children.
Now that that’s said…
How do you use this famous sodium percarbonate?
For whitening
- Are your sheets/clothes/textiles really yellowed? Opt for a good soak. Fill a bathtub or a large sink (preferably with boiling water), and add the percarbonate. You can count on one tablespoon per 5 L of water. For a standard bathtub with a capacity of 40-60 L, you would use about 1/2 cup of percarbonate. You can soak your white fabrics overnight. As for your colored clothes, if they need a deep clean, you can use percarbonate in the same proportions, but let them soak for only 1 hour.
- Maintenance: to keep your whites bright, simply add a tablespoon of percarbonate to your laundry load.
For removing stains
- Struggling with a stubborn stain on a garment? Make a paste with percarbonate and water. Apply the paste to the stain and let it act for a few minutes before putting the fabric in the washing machine.
- For lighter stains (on colors or whites), add 2 tablespoons to your regular laundry load.
Note: sodium percarbonate is particularly effective when the water is lukewarm or hot (at temperatures of 40 °C to 60 °C).
ATTENTION: if you use it to clean washable sanitary pads, rinse them well in cold water to remove the excess blood first, and soak in lukewarm water—not hot—to avoid "cooking" the blood into the fabric.
For the bathroom
- Cleaning ceramic grout
We love it for cleaning ceramic grout because it eliminates limescale and mold! Just make a paste, apply it, let it sit for a bit, and scrub with a brush (tip: use an old toothbrush for this kind of chore!).
- Cleaning the toilet
Put 5 good, big tablespoons of percarbonate in the bowl, let it act for at least 15 minutes, and scrub.
- Cleaning the bath and shower
Make a paste with a little water, scrub, let it act for 10-15 minutes, and rinse.
For the kitchen
- Scrubbing burnt pots/pans
In the sink, sprinkle percarbonate onto the burnt pot, pour boiling water over it, let it soak overnight, and clean!
- Deodorizing a wooden board
You know when you cut onions on a wooden board, the smell gets stuck in it? And if you don't clean it properly, your chopped fruit has a weird taste afterwards. Exit the annoyance: just make a paste with a little water, scrub, let it sit for a few minutes, and rinse.
In short, percarbonate is a simple little white powder, but it packs a punch. In our opinion, it's a must in every household!
