What Is the Difference Between Chlorine Bleach & Color-Safe Bleach?

Chlorine Bleach

• Liquid household bleach contains about 5 percent sodium hypochlorite as its active ingredient. Effective for general stain removal and whitening, chlorine bleach disinfects laundry as well as kitchen and other counter surfaces. It’s also safe to use on some colored fabrics. In general, chlorine bleach is used on dish and bath towels, sheets, pillowcases, tablecloths, undershirts, white underwear and white socks. Don’t use it on wool, silk, spandex stretch fabrics and blends of these fibers. Also, be aware that high iron content in water can interact with chlorine bleach to create clothing rust stains.

Color-Safe Bleach

• Color-safe or oxygen bleach is safe to use on washable white or colored fabrics -- especially colored fabrics that would bleed, run or blotch when exposed to chlorine bleach. Hydrogen peroxide is the gentle bleaching ingredient in liquid formulations, sodium perborate in dry powders. Color-safe bleaches also contain enzymes that break up protein-based stains such as blood, egg and milk, which makes them good for stain-removing presoaking solutions. Most also contain optical brighteners that reflect light, making whites look whiter and colors seem brighter.

Testing for Colorfastness

• Mix a small amount of chlorine bleach solution -- 1 part liquid with five parts water – to test fabric for colorfastness. Apply one drop to an inconspicuous part of the garment, such as inside a seam or hem. Make sure it penetrates the fabric. After 1 minute, rinse the spot and blot the fabric dry. Examine the fabric for any sign of color change. Follow the same procedure for color-safe bleach, placing a drop of undiluted liquid oxygen bleach in an inconspicuous area.

Disinfecting Laundry

• The sodium hypochlorite in liquid chlorine bleach is a powerful disinfectant, and will kill bacteria, other germs and mold spores. Disinfecting laundry is a good idea when a family member has been sick with a cold, flu or other infectious disease, to prevent its spread. Disinfect laundry when using color-safe bleach by adding disinfectants to the wash. Phenolic disinfectants such as Pine-Sol, pine oil disinfectants -- which must contain at least 80 percent pine oil -- and quaternary products or “quats” available from janitorial supply companies are all effective.

Remember the Water

• You need plenty of water for properly washing, bleaching and disinfecting your laundry, so don’t fill your washer so full of clothes that there’s no room for good washing action. Bleach and other cleaners need to be able to circulate freely and pass through fabrics to loosen and carry away soil and stains. Laundry needs lots of room for a thorough clean water rinse as well.