Alternatives to Bleaching

Updated on November 24, 2009
D.J. asks from Auburn, WA
15 answers

I currently use bleach for cleaning and laundry but have ruined so many pairs of clothes that I am ready to give up bleach and am seeking for alternatives that are not so destructive if I were to accidentally spill. So moms, what do you do?

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M.H.

answers from Seattle on

I think it depends on the item and the stain. I have had pretty good luck with oxyclean - they sell a spot spray, or you can treat a whole load with the powder.

In the summers sun will do some bleaching if it is to avoid yellowing or whatever.

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I.G.

answers from Seattle on

For household cleaning white vinegar is a great alternative. I have to say that I believe most everyday cleaning jobs do NOT need any sanitizing (great job Chlorox and Lysol for making us believe that!) and just water and soap (I like using dishsoap) are fine. Studies have actually shown that kids growing up in "sanitized" homes are more prone to allergies.

For laundry the best whitener is sunshine - unfortunately not really an option right now.
Also ask yourself whether your whites really need bleaching with every wash. Usually every couple of washes is just fine.

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J.W.

answers from Seattle on

First of all, bleach and colors do not mix, not if you want to keep the color in your clothes. Stains on colored clothing can be pre-treated using many different products, but the end all be all for me and my kids, escpecially as toddlers and elementary school kids was to use Biz. I would pre-soak in the washer with hot/warm water and Biz, about 1/2 cup for 30 minutes. Then add detergent and wash, double rinsing with a quarter cup of white vinegar in the first rinse. That vinegar helps to remove any detergent residue on your clothes. I've given many of my kids' clothes to friends and they are amazed at how clean and bright they are after 3 kids... no stains what so ever. Even today as college students, this works well for all of us. My son who lives in a dorm uses this process for his shirts, just because. Best of luck!!

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S.D.

answers from San Francisco on

For household spills, I'd suggest vinegar, but I have good luck with a paste from oxi clean powder and spray and wash when it comes to laundry. I do always have a bottle of bleach around for the really trashed white t-shirts that my 5 year old abuses.

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R.M.

answers from Seattle on

For cleaning I use vinegar. It's cheap, eats through grime better than bleach, I can tolerate the smell better, and it sanitizes better than bleach. Bleach looses a lot of sanitation power when its used with hot water so when your using it in hot water to mop or wipe off the counters it doesn't work as well. I used to be a hemodialysis tech and we always used vinegar to sanitize everything from blood spills to the coffee maker for the simple reason that it was more versatile. Plus its an edible thing so using it on my dishes doesn't give me the heebee jeebees. It also is good in the laundry as a fabric sofener. As for whitening clothes, I make my own laundry soap, and it does a fairly good job at whitening my whites. you could also put a little extra borax and washing soda in with them. In the Summer I soak my whites in lemon juice/water mix (fairly strong on the lemon juice side) and sun bleach them. The sun has remarkable bleaching power and when combined with the lemon juice it works remarkably well on stains the even bleach can't get out. Unfortunately I can only do this in the summer months, but there you go.

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A.B.

answers from Anchorage on

I use oxyclean (which is hydrogen peroxide based) for anything someone would use bleach for. Mix it with enough water to make a paste and you can use it on laundry stains or use it on a scrub brush or toothbrush in the grout in the shower.

Bleach is awful, toxic stuff for anyone breathing in your home. You can use vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and/or dish soap for nearly any cleaning job. Oxyclean for mold or stains.

Good luck!

A.

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K.L.

answers from Seattle on

It depends on what kind of stain. I use alot of stain stick if I am not getting to the stain right away. I love biz. This is comes in a powder or a liquid. The powder is cheaper. This is great for stains needing a little soak, no bleach is in the detergent and the clothes come out looking awesome.

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

If you are to use bleach first off try to only use whites and before u put your clothes in the washer start the washer and put a cap full of bleach in the bottom of the washer and then insert your laundry. If you are to need to get stains out of clothing try and use a color bleach. But if you are wanting to eliminate bleach altogether get some spray and wash and try and spray it on the certain stains you are wanting to get out and scrub it a little so the stain can come loose once your done with that throw it in the washer and start the load. Do that for every piece of clothing your wanting to get the stains out.

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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

Clorox 2 for colors. I use it for my whites, too. Got tired splashing bleach on my tshirts while doing laundry. Sometimes I pour it directly on dirty collars and cuffs.

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L.C.

answers from Portland on

Vinegar. You can dilute it 1:1 up to 1:3 with water. Careful buying vinegar because some white distilled vinegars are made with petroleum but Heinz is ok. Basically if it tells you what its made from, its ok. You could also use apple vinegar. I use vinegar for my counter tops, bathrooms, as a fabric softener in my laundry, and in replace of jet dry in the dishwasher. I've changed many of our cleaning agents to nontoxic ones and have found that water and maybe some soap goes a long way. I use a damp cloth on my mirrors and wipe dry, same for dusting but sometimes alternate with orange oil for wood surfaces, soap and water for floors, etc. To cut the vinegar smell you can add drops of essential oils like lavendar or lemon or add lemon juice as well. Other laundry tips are sunlight, it really does work for bleaching out stains, oxyclean with hot water, have heard of boiling them but haven't tried it myself. Good luck! Its a noble effort to detoxify your home and your family/health will thank you for it.

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L.C.

answers from Portland on

Great idea to get rid of bleach. I like the borax suggestions- will try it myself!

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B.L.

answers from Seattle on

Use Spray-n -wash it works wonders on all you little and not so little clothing accidents. the only problem is it doesnt' come in a bucket i can soak the boys clothes in...lol. I use lysol for cleaning everything they have sprays, wipes, air sanitzer, ect.

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K.C.

answers from Medford on

Try white vinegar in place of bleach

D.C.

answers from Seattle on

I have always had good luck with Borateem or Borax. I prefer it to bleach. When my daughter was small and wore cloth diapers, I always soaked them in Borateem before washing-- her cloth diapers stayed sparkling white while other babies had yellowed, discolored ones. Borateem works for other whites as well. If you are still going to use bleach I suggest powdered bleach so you don't have to worry about spilling. If you are going to stay with the liquid bleach, here's what I used to do: I didn't try to pour it in that little place on the washer. Before putting any clothes in the washer, I always start the water going, add in my soap to get it dissolving in the water, THEN add my clothes. Before adding in the clothes, pour the bleach into the bottom of the washer with the water & soap. You don't have to worry about splashing it on anything and it gets diluted by the water before your clothes go in, so there is no worry about damaging clothes. Also, read clothing labels-- if they say 'no bleach' or 'powdered bleach only' they mean it! Use Borateem for those clothes... The care instructions are usually located on the side seam of a garment, not usually up at the neck. Good luck! ;o)

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N.B.

answers from Seattle on

Hi D.,
I am a rep for a green Manufacturing company. We have great products that work really well, they cost less than the products in the store. It is an awesome shopping system and if you are open to look I can share how it works and then you'll have an alternative choice. The bottom line is, they are green and safer for your family and home, perform better than the harsh chemical brands, and they are less expensive. I hope to hear from you.
N. B

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