Question about Oxyclean - YouLookFab Forum

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Question about Oxyclean

April

Veteran

I saw some mentions of Oxyclean on Angie's post about whites today, and I have a question for those of you who are using it successfully.

Our house has a septic system, so I try to stay away from chlorine bleach. Also, I have turned many items yellowish with chlorine (isn't it supposed to do the opposite?)

Anyway, I bought a bottle of Oxyclean liquid and when I have used it in what felt like reasonable amounts, the perfume it leaves behind on the laundry is overwhelming.

I like perfume and am not a person with chemical sensitivities, so yes, this was VERY STRONG.

To those who are using it happily, any tricks to pass along? Maybe I'm just using too much, but I am adding it in such small amounts as to wonder if it's enough to have any whitening impact at all.

General

24 replies

Latest reply was from Laurinda

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Huh. I didn't know they made Oxyclean liquid; I've always gotten the powder stuff.

April

Veteran

I could try the powder. (My machine is a front-loader, though, with a little drawer for dispensing laundry products -- any special wisdom regarding the use of powders in such?)

Zibbets

Veteran

I've only used it as a spot pre-treat (with good results for organic stains) and haven't noticed a smell at all after the garment is washed.

Glory

Veteran

I have a front loader and only use powder laundry detergents. Years ago I switched from liquid because of a returning mold problem. The technician advised me that the powder was much better at keeping the filter clean and didn't leave residual product which encouraged mold growth. I have no idea how much of it is true but the smell when the machine emptied went away. I use Oxyclean powder to boost my whites and havent had any issues.

rabbit

Veteran

I've always used the powder, no noticeable smell.

Mostly I presoak things in a big bucket with a partial scoop of oxiclean (I have a front loader washer too), but sometimes I just put a scoop into the washer body so it falls into the little holes before adding sheets. Pre-soaking works more significantly than just adding a little to the wash I think for noticeable stains or significant yellowing of clothes-- you can use a concentrated amount.

Chlorine bleach does yellow whites, and it can be counteracted by using bluing (following the instructions), which basically dyes the garment with a faint sky-blue dye and counteracts the yellow. But I've found oxiclean works better for me with less stress to the garment.

Anonymous

Oxyclean makes me sneeze, so I don't use it.

LaPed

Veteran

There are unscented oxygen bleach products. ALL makes one that's available at most supermarkets. Higher end all-natural laundry soap companies like Charlie's and Molly's make them too.

My understanding is that chlorine bleach will not work on protein stains or oil stains. Protein stains require require an enzyme or oxy treatment, while oil stains require a surfactant -- i.e. good old soap.

I use powdered unscented oxygen whitener on my sheets and DH's tshirts. My strategy is to do a presoak in the washer before addind detergent and running a regular cycle. Our once-white percale sheets looked pretty terrible after several years of extremely hard water build-up. The oxy soaks definitely help, but it's taken several rounds to get them back to actually-white.

Anonymous

I'll have to look for that stuff. I thought we were talking about the brand name Oxyclean.

April

Veteran

BC, you're not wrong -- Oxyclean is a brand name of an oxygen-based whitener ("bleach") and there are others as well.

This idea of presoaking using the powder is really helpful! Thanks so much to everyone who suggested that.

I used to use the powder in my old top-loader and never had that cloying scent problem. I will get some and try the pre-soak method in my current machine.

Anonymous

It's the powder I reacted so strongly to.

Ginger

Veteran

I use Oxyclean a lot, but all I can add is exactly what rabbit said. It's good stuff, and pre-soaking really works. I use it also with sheets - I have a top-loader and just leave it open, so they soak for hours, and then rinse and start again. It also gets out the "collar ring" from my lighter colored tops and grime from the bedspread.

Gail

Veteran

I like Oxyclean and feel like it does a good job.
My front loader stinks and I have tried everything under the sun including running it on hot with dishwasher detergent as suggested by technician. Going to try using powder.

Thirkellgirl

Veteran

I'm extremely, stupidly, sensitive to scents, and I use a scoop of oxyclean powder in with most loads of my laundry. Good to know about the liquid, I will make sure I don't buy that!

Staysfit

Veteran

April, check where you add detergents, my front loader has a mechanism that you move to alter the receptacle for either a liquid detergent or a powder. If I am using powder I add the oxi-clean right to it, if I am using a liquid, I typically still add it to the section where powders would go even though it is smaller.

elpgal

Veteran

I am not if this is same brand, but there is a 'free and clear' version of oxiclean that is dye and perfume free.

ETA: I see, you meant the liquid version. The 'free and clear' is a powder.

Anonymous

I have only used Oxyclean powder, mostly as a pretreat or soak, then wash as usual. I've not noticed any strong odor, certainly not like Clorox.

Colette

Veteran

When I buy OxiClean I use the Free & Clear variety and there is no scent. I'm so sensitive to scents, everything I use has to be unscented. I do think it works best when the clothing is pre-soaked. I actually think the Nature Bright by Shaklee whitens better.

April

Veteran

Thank you all so much for your insights here!

This is our fourth front-loader (nothing went bad with the rest of them, we've just had three different NYC apartments and each had its own front-loader) and they definitely involve a learning curve.

If you're new to front-loaders, here's the most important thing to know: you MUST dry the rubber gasket inside the door after every load. Don't just wipe down the surface, you need to get under the gasket where lots of water will collect, otherwise you will have a mold nightmare.

elpgal

Veteran

Yes, absolutely re drying the gasket and leave the door open after a wash. Once in a month, use a bleach soaked rag to wipe down the gasket, wipe again with clean water and dry.

Colette, does Nature Bright work well on mud/grass stains (stereotypical mom question, I know, but that is what I deal with on a daily basis)

Anonymous

I think I'll stick with my top loader.

BrieN

Veteran

Even with my top loader I keep the lid propped up at all times when not in use.

April

Veteran

Here's something else I learned about mold in the context of washers. Apparently chlorine doesn't actually kill mold or mildew, it merely bleaches it so it appears to be gone. What does kill mold and mildew is hydrogen peroxide.

Internet wisdom - unverified by me. Maybe one of our chemists will chime in on this issue.

JAileen

Veteran

When we needed a new washing machine we bought a front loader. I usually leave the door open a little bit, but not so much an animal could get in. It's been eight years and it has never smelled. All I ever put in it is powdered Tide HE, if that matters. Getting a front loader was a no brainer. We live in a desert and our water bill can approach $200 a month in summer. Front loaders use way less water.

Laurinda

Veteran

It all depends on the concentration. A 2-10% solution of chlorine bleach is standard for killing microbes on non-porous lab surfaces.