The Power Of Sodium Percarbonate For Laundry
By Marilee Nelson |
New to using sodium percarbonate for laundry? You’re not alone.
Although it’s a leading ingredient in Branch Basics Laundry Detergent and Oxygen Boost, most people have never heard of it.
Plus, the name doesn’t exactly sound natural, does it?
If you’re curious about sodium percarbonate in Branch Basics, read on to learn what it is, how it works, why it’s human and environmentally safe, and its incredible benefits and uses for laundry and beyond.
What Is Sodium Percarbonate?
Sodium percarbonate doesn’t exactly sound like a plant or plant-based ingredient.
That’s because it’s a white mineral powder made from sodium carbonate, also known as washing soda or soda ash, and hydrogen peroxide.
As a natural bleaching agent, it also goes by “oxygen bleach” or “powdered peroxide” and can be found in various low-tox laundry boosters and powdered chlorine bleach alternatives.
Like chlorine bleach, sodium percarbonate has antibacterial, antifungal, anti-algae, anti-mold, and deodorizing properties.
But unlike chlorine bleach, it’s human-safe, rated 2-5 by the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database (rating dependent on use and amount used in product), and completely biodegradable, decomposing into sodium, carbonate, and peroxide.[1]
*Branch Basics Oxygen Boost and Dishwasher Tablets have received EWG Verified status, which ensures our product meets EWG’s strictest standards for health and safety. Our new Laundry Detergent’s verification is pending.[2]
This is why it’s the only disinfectant approved safe for organic aquaculture production.[3]
H2: How Sodium Percarbonate Works On Laundry
Sodium percarbonate is pretty fun to watch in action. Here’s how it works.
When added to warm or hot water in a sink or your washer, it releases trapped oxygen from peroxide, creating a bubbling effect that gets under and lifts away stains, dirt, and germs.
Its natural bleaching properties also help whiten and brighten whites and colors in the washer, without fading fabrics when used as directed.
Sodium percarbonate also works in cold water, but may not have the same dramatic fizzing action.
7 Benefits Of Sodium Percarbonate For Laundry
Sodium percarbonate is a low-tox game-changer for laundry and stain removal, especially if you’ve given up chlorine bleach and other harsh detergents.
Branch Basics Oxygen Boost contains sodium percarbonate plus baking soda and is one of our best-sellers!
A couple of notes before we get started:
- Do not use sodium percarbonate/Oxygen Boost on silk or wool.
- Since sodium percarbonate is a natural bleach, we generally don’t recommend using it undiluted on colored fabrics (although some people do, with success). Always test on an inconspicuous area of your fabric. However, the soaking method works fine for whites and colors.
Like all powders, sodium percarbonate should not be inhaled, so take care when opening and closing the bag.
Let’s go!
1. Unmatched Low-Tox Stain Removal
In our opinion, sodium percarbonate is one of the best human-safe stain removers.
From red wine to grass stains, blowouts to coffee, sodium percarbonate/Oxygen Boost is a powerful natural stain remover.
For localized spot stain removal, spray the stain with Branch Basics All-Purpose or Bathroom and sprinkle on a bit of Oxygen Boost.
Agitate, and rinse clean.
No time to fuss with the stain? Try it as a soaking agent, which we’ll discuss next.
Do not use on wool or silk; always do a patch test first.
Related reading: The Top 7+ Natural & Reliable Laundry Stain Removers
2. It’s A Powerful No-Fuss Soaking Agent
This is our favorite way to use sodium percarbonate/Oxygen Boost for stains:
- Dissolve a scoop in a basin or sinkful of water along with 1 teaspoon Branch Basics Concentrate.
- If needed, soak garments for up to an hour or more to remove stains. If the stain persists, soak it longer. We’ve left colored clothing in overnight without fading.
- Launder as usual.
Parents absolutely rave about this near-effortless method for removing all manner of baby, toddler, kid, and teen stains. Try it, and you’ll be hooked!
3. It’s An Effective Laundry Booster
Sodium percarbonate is an incredible ally for boosting the power of natural, human-safe laundry detergents or DIY laundry soaps.
It works great in cold, warm, or hot water and hard water conditions and can be used instead of bleach to whiten whites.
To use:
- Add a scoop of sodium percarbonate/Oxygen Boost to your washing machine along with your detergent.
- Launder as usual
Bonus: Oxygen Boost contains baking soda, a natural fabric softener and deodorizer.
4. It’s The Ultimate Chlorine Bleach Alternative
Giving up chlorine bleach can be hard, especially if you haven’t found a viable alternative.
Sodium percarbonate, also known as oxygen bleach, is the original safer bleach alternative, working hard to whiten and brighten clothes while removing stains.
It can also be used as an alternative to bleach when cleaning, a topic we’ll discuss further in subsequent sections.
Use as described above as a laundry booster and stain remover.
Related reading: 7 Human-Safe Laundry Bleach Alternatives.
5. Sodium Percarbonate Brings Dingy White Tennis Shoes Back To Life
Dingy, gray-ish tennis shoes can be a drag. Fortunately, they do not require expensive and toxic tennis shoe stain removers.
Sodium percarbonate/Oxygen Boost is gentle enough to use on tennis shoes and will leave them in like-new condition.
To use:
- Dust off tennis shoes and remove as much dirt as possible.
- Add 1 scoop Oxygen Boost to warm water and soak the shoes for 15-30 minutes or longer.
- Scrub clean or run through the washer (if the manufacturer recommends), rinse, and dry.
6. Works Wonders For Natural Laundry Stripping
Laundry stripping is sometimes necessary for dingy sheets, towels that have lost their absorbency, clothing that’s been washed and permeated in fragrance, or clothes coated in several cycles of fabric softener (which creates a slick, flammable, and toxic film over time).
Oxygen Boost plus Branch Basics Laundry Solution or Concentrate to the rescue!
See: Human Safe Laundry Stripping With Branch Basics for complete instructions.
7. Removes Embarrassing Armpit Stains
Armpit stains happen to everyone and can be worse when using certain types of natural deodorant.
Fortunately, these stains are easy to remove with sodium percarbonate/Oxygen Boost.
- Spray the armpit area directly with Branch Basics All-Purpose.
- Soak the affected area in a basin of warm water with one scoop of Oxygen Boost overnight.
- Remove and launder as usual.
See How To Remove Armpit Stains for color-specific instructions.
Other Uses For Sodium Percarbonate
As mentioned, sodium percarbonate’s uses go far beyond the laundry room.
This powerful bleach alternative is an excellent natural scouring agent and can be used to remove mold and mildew from bathroom tile.
You can also dilute it in warm to hot water, add to a squeeze bottle, and use directly on carpet stains on light-colored carpets (test an inconspicuous area first).
Its natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties make it ideal for human-safe, fume-free bathroom and kitchen cleaning, especially when combined with Branch Basics Bathroom and All-Purpose.
Learn more about sodium percarbonate’s versatility in: How To Use Branch Basics Oxygen Boost [Complete Guide].
Sodium Percarbonate For Laundry FAQs
We hope this information has gotten you fired up about the benefits of sodium percarbonate for laundry.
However, most low-tox-living connoisseurs are excellent researchers and want to understand ingredients fully .
To help, we answer some of your FAQs.
Q: Is sodium percarbonate safe for colors?
A: Yes. However, we recommend not letting it sit on colored fabrics for too long, which may cause lightning
Instead, remove after scrubbing or use the soaking method. And, we always recommend testing on an inconspicuous area of the fabric..
Q: Are all sodium percarbonate products safe?
A: Sodium percarbonate is rated 2-5 on EWG Skin Deep*, depending on how it is used and in what concentration.
This means some sodium percarbonate products are safer than others.
As noted previously, Branch Basics Oxygen Boost and Dishwasher Tablets have received MADE SAFE certification and EWG Verified status, which ensures our products meet EWG’s strictest standards for health and safety.
Our New Laundry Detergent’s verification is pending, but we formulated it to receive the same rating.[3]
We’ll update this article as new information becomes available.
However, some brands, such as various oxygen bleaches, combine sodium percarbonate with less-than-healthy ingredients like fragrance or harmful detergents.
Always check labels and run them through EWG to be sure.
Q: What’s in Branch Basics Oxygen Boost?
A: Just two ingredients:
- Sodium percarbonate
- Baking soda
That’s it.
Q: Does Branch Basics Laundry Detergent Contain Sodium Percarbonate?
A: Yes, Branch Basics Laundry Detergent (powder) contains sodium percarbonate and may not require additional Oxygen Boost.
Branch Basics Laundry Dilution (liquid) does not, and can be used with or without Oxygen Boost, depending on your laundry needs and preferences.
Regardless, Oxygen Boost is handy to have around for stain removal, boosting, and general cleaning.
Related reading: Comparing Branch Basics Laundry Detergent Vs. Laundry Dilution: What’s The Difference?
Q: Can I put sodium percarbonate directly onto fabrics?
A: Yes, but follow the precautions listed above for colored fabrics and do not use on wool, silk, wool or silk blends, leather, Dry Clean Only clothing, or upholstery.
Q: Is sodium percarbonate safe to use around pets?
A: Yes, sodium percarbonate is considered a safe product to use around pets.
However, as with all powders, do not allow them to inhale, ingest, or get it into their eyes as this could cause irritation.
Learn more in: Our Guide To Pet Safe Cleaning Products
Q: Is sodium percarbonate safe to use on all fabrics?
A: Yes, except wool, silk, wool, and silk blends, dry clean only fabrics, leather, or upholstery.
Q: Where can I find sodium percarbonate for laundry?
A: Right here in Branch Basics Oxygen Boost. This two-ingredient product contains sodium percarbonate and natural baking soda to brighten, whiten, and destain clothes, sheets, towels, and more.
Ready To Upgrade Your Laundry Routine?
We hope this article has you excited about what’s possible when you switch from synthetic chemical laundry products to safer alternatives.
Branch Basics is a leader in human-safe, environmentally-friendly, plant- and mineral-based, cruelty-free, MADE SAFE cleaning and laundry products, including:
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Branch Basics Laundry Detergent: A waterless formula that cleans, freshens, removes stains, and deodorizes with just one scoop.
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Branch Basics Premium Starter Kit: One Concentrate plus refillable bottles and Oxygen Boost to make enough natural cleaning and laundry products to clean your entire house.
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Branch Basics Laundry Kits: A refillable glass or plastic laundry bottle + Concentrate to make your own liquid laundry soap + Oxygen Boost)
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Wool Dryer Balls: The ultimate alternative to synthetic dryer sheets and fabric softeners.
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Natural Scrub Brush: For handwashing and stain removal.
Shop all Branch Basics Laundry Solutions and discover a pure and powerful clean.
For more low-tox and natural laundry and stain removal tips, check out the following articles:
- Top 7 Reliable Laundry Stain Removers
- Human Safe Laundry Stripping With Branch Basics
- Laundry Bleach Alternatives: 7 Human-Safe and Environmentally Safe Options
- 6 Safe Laundry Room Essentials: A Complete Checklist
- How To Get Stains Out Of Everything With Branch Basics [Complete Guide]
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Marilee Nelson
Marilee Nelson is an Environmental Toxins expert who has spent nearly 30 years advocating for the chemically-sensitive and chronically-ill. She is a Board Certified Nutritionist, Certified Bau-Biologist and Bau-Biology Inspector and specializes in Food As Medicine. She has helped thousands of families and individuals identify, heal and recover from toxic exposures and is on a mission to revolutionize the way American families view their health.
