Homemade OxiClean Stain Remover

Tough stains happen, especially when you have an active family and busy lifestyle. OxiClean is a popular commercial stain remover product that helps tackle all kinds of stains on laundry, carpets, upholstery and more. While OxiClean is very effective, the formula is actually simple to replicate at home using just a few common ingredients. Making your own oxygen-based cleaners is cost-effective and means you always have a supply on hand when stains strike.

What is OxiClean?

OxiClean is a stain remover made by Church & Dwight that uses the power of oxygen to lift stains and brighten fabrics. It contains sodium percarbonate, a powdered hydrogen peroxide compound, as the main active ingredient. When dissolved in water, it releases oxygen bubbles that act like microscopic scrub brushes to break down and lift stains from the fabric. It also contains sodium carbonate, or washing soda, as a water softener and pH adjuster. These two ingredients together provide stain fighting and whitening power.

Homemade OxiClean Recipe

To recreate the stain-fighting effects of OxiClean at home, you simply need two ingredients:

1. Washing Soda

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

Washing soda, or sodium carbonate, is a water softener and cleaning booster available in the laundry aisle. When mixed with hydrogen peroxide you get a solution that bubbles up and penetrates fabric fibers to whisk away stains. It’s also safe for most colors and fabrics. Here is the easy homemade OxiClean recipe:

Ingredients:

– 1 cup washing soda

– 1⁄2 cup hydrogen peroxide

– (3% solution – found in first aid section of stores)

– 1 gallon hot tap water

Instructions:

1. Add 1 cup washing soda and 1⁄2 cup hydrogen peroxide to an empty gallon jug.

2. Fill the rest of the jug with very hot tap water and swish to combine and dissolve the ingredients.

3. Allow to fully cool before using on fabrics.

4. Use 1⁄2 cup per laundry load or spot treat stains and soak 15-30 minutes before washing.

5. Store any leftovers in a sealed container out of sunlight for up to 3 months.

And that’s it – you have an effective, economical OxiClean substitute using items you likely already have at home. The hot water helps activate and stabilize the hydrogen peroxide solution. Letting it cool prevents the heat from degrading the hydrogen peroxide. Use your homemade OxiClean to pretreat laundry stains or as a soak for heavily soiled items.

How Does it Work?

So how does this simple 2-ingredient formula mimic the stain fighting effects of OxiClean? It’s all thanks to the chemical reaction that hydrogen peroxide undergoes.

Hydrogen peroxide is made up of 2 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms (H2O2). It’s a very unstable compound that decomposes into oxygen and water when activated by light, heat, or alkaline substances like washing soda.

As the hydrogen peroxide breaks down in water, it releases nascent oxygen – small oxygen bubbles that provide serious cleaning power. This oxygenation effect helps lift stains and whiten fabrics.

The washing soda helps soften the water to improve cleaning effects. It also stabilizes and triggers the oxygen release from the hydrogen peroxide to boost stain removal. The oxygen bubbles penetrate deep into fabric fibers, gently loosening and forcing out discoloration and dirt.

This chemical process works similar to borax, bleach or benzoyl peroxide, without the harsh effects. It’s a safe method for whitening and getting clothes ultra clean with the natural power of oxygen.

Cleaning Power of Oxygen Bleach

Oxygen bleach is any cleaning agent that uses oxygenation to whiten fabrics and remove stains without chlorine. The main options are:

– Hydrogen Peroxide – breaks down to release oxygen

– Sodium Percarbonate – releases hydrogen peroxide when wet

– Sodium Perborate – becomes hydrogen peroxide when heated

– Calcium Peroxide – activates in water to create oxygen

These peroxide or per- compounds provide stain removal by bubbling oxygen through the fabric and fiber structures. This allows the oxygen to penetrate and whisk away tough stains that detergent alone cannot remove.

The main advantage of oxygen bleaches is their gentleness on most fabrics. They can typically be used to pretreat and soak clothing and linens without fading or damage. Hydrogen peroxide is considered one of the safest bleaching methods and is even added to some toothpastes.

For best results, check garment care labels and always test on an inconspicuous area first when using any cleaning product. But oxygen bleach is generally recommended as a color-safe option for delicate items.

Tackling Types of Stains

A homemade OxiClean soak can be used to pretreat all kinds of stained clothing, table linens, rugs, blankets, and more. It works by chemically altering the pigments in the stain to loosen and lift them from the fabric. Here are some of the toughest stains it can help conquer:

Food Stains – Coffee, tea, wine, juice, sauce, and oil-based food stains are no match for oxygen power. The bubbles can penetrate set-in foods.

Sweat Stains – Body soils like sweat and deodorant marks come out easily after soaking in this solution.

Blood Stains – The oxygen bleach breaks down the protein structure of blood so the pigment releases.

Grass Stains – Lawn and field stains can be stubborn, but will lift after soaking and washing.

Mud Stains – Ground in dirt and mud will oxidize and loosen from fabric fibers.

Grease and Oil – For stains from lotions, car oil, greasy foods, even permanent marker, homemade OxiClean helps.

And just about any other stain can be lightened and often removed with an oxygen-based pre-wash. It’s also great for whitening dingy shirts, cloth diapers, and bedding.

Use on Various Materials

While oxygen bleach is gentler than chlorine bleach, you should still take precautions and test on hidden areas of the garment first before treating visible stains. Here are some guidelines for using homemade OxiClean on different textiles:

Safe for Most Fabrics – Cotton, polyester, rayon, linen, hemp, nylon can be soaked safely with proper dilution.

Use With Caution – Wool, silk, bamboo may require weaker solution to prevent damage. Check labels.

Avoid Using – Do not use hydrogen peroxide solutions on leather, spandex or non-colorfast fabrics which may bleach or discolor.

Rinse Promptly – After soaking, rinse all items well prior to washing to prevent fading or spotting.

With some smart precautions, this stain remover can be used on most types of clothing, rugs, towels, and household fabrics. It whitens and brightens while remaining gentle on materials.

Stain Removal Techniques

To get the best results removing stains with homemade OxiClean, use these techniques:

– Read care labels – Check if garment is bleach safe or requires special treatment.

– Mix solution – Add 1/2 cup concentrated OxiClean solution to 1 gallon warm water. Use a weaker dilution for delicate fabrics.

– Apply to stain – For solid stains, apply directly with a scrub brush or sponge. For clothes, soak entire item.

– Allow to sit – Soaking time depends on stain, anywhere from 15 minutes to 8 hours. Agitate periodically.

– Rinse – Rinse thoroughly in clean water before washing to prevent residue.

– Wash as normal – After rinsing cleaner, proceed with regular machine or hand washing.

– Air dry – For best results, hang clothing to dry rather than using the dryer which could re-set stains.

With some soaking time and agitation, even old, set-in stains can be removed without harsh chemicals. It may take multiple treatments for stubborn stains. Just keep saturating and soaking the fabric in the oxygen bleach solution.

Brightening Laundry

In addition to stain removal, homemade OxiClean boosts the cleaning power of detergent to get clothes brighter. Here’s how to incorporate it into laundry:

Add 1/2 cup directly to the wash cycle for a normal load to amplify soil and stain removal.

Use as a presoak for heavily soiled items like sports uniforms, cloth diapers, or very stained clothes.

For white fabrics, soak in a stronger solution of 1 cup per gallon of warm water before washing.

To brighten baby clothes, soak overnight in a weaker solution of 1/4 cup per gallon of water.

For everyday loads, adding a dash of dry washing soda will enhance the cleaning effects of laundry detergent.

The oxygen bleach helps dissolve compounds in dirt and stains so detergents can work more effectively. This provides noticeably whiter, brighter results.

Carpet Stain Removal

You don’t have to lug around heavy carpet cleaner machines to treat stains and high traffic areas. Making a concentrated homemade OxiClean solution in a spray bottle lets you target carpet stains easily.

To make a carpet stain remover, mix 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup hydrogen peroxide into 1 quart of warm water. Pour into spray bottle and shake before using. Lightly spritz stained areas of carpet and allow to soak in for 10-15 minutes. Blot stain with clean towel and rinse with water. Repeat as needed for set-in stains. Rinse thoroughly so no sticky residue remains.

For best results, clean carpets thoroughly once per year. Get on hands and knees and scrub stains gently with a brush and homemade cleaner before vacuuming. This will keep carpets looking fresh and extend the time between professional deep cleanings.

Other Uses

In addition to laundry and carpets, keep a spray bottle of homemade OxiClean on hand for these extra cleaning tasks:

– Remove stains from upholstery – Spray and blot gently.

– Whiten bathtubs, sinks and tile grout – Let solution sit before scrubbing and rinsing.

– Clean and deodorize trash and recycling bins – kills odors and lifts stains.

– Brighten dingy shower curtains and bathroom mats – soak and launder.

– Keep white kitchen rags looking fresh – add to wash.

– Remove musty smells from books and papers – spray lightly and allow to dry.

– Clean pet accidents from carpets and upholstery – spray promptly to lift stains.

– Sanitize cutting boards and kitchen tools – spray and rinse thoroughly.

This versatile cleaner and stain remover works on all water-safe household surfaces. The oxygen bubbles penetrate and lift all kinds of soils.

Storing Your Solution

Be sure to take a few precautions when storing your homemade OxiClean solution:

– Use an opaque container – light accelerates decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

– Avoid extreme heat – heat also degrades hydrogen peroxide over time.

– Keep cool – the solution will be most active when used directly from the fridge.

– Seal the bottle – limit air exposure to retain oxygen bubble power.

– Mix smaller batches – the fresher the solution, the better it works.

Store your homemade stain remover in the refrigerator in a capped, opaque bottle out of direct light. It will remain effective for up to 3 months when stored properly. If you see it is losing its bubbling action, simply remix a fresh batch.

Safety Considerations

Diluted hydrogen peroxide is non-toxic and generally safe for home use. However, you should take these precautions:

– Avoid ingesting it – drinking large amounts could cause digestive upset.

– Don’t mix with vinegar – combining hydrogen peroxide and vinegar can damage surfaces.

– Watch skin contact – prolonged exposure may cause irritation or drying. Rinse skin if needed.

– Consider ventilation – use in well-ventilated area and avoid inhaling closely.

– Keep concentrated solution away from kids and pets – it could irritate eyes or skin if used undiluted.

With proper dilution and handling, this homemade cleaner is very safe and effective. But always exercise caution when using any chemical product, especially around children and pets.

Why Make Your Own?

Homemade OxiClean costs just pennies per load compared to the commercial product. It also offers these advantages:

– Cost savings – huge price difference over brand name OxiClean!

– Control ingredients – choose safe, natural options

– Avoid fillers and additives – store-bought products often contain added perfumes or anti-caking agents

– Adjust strength – make stronger solution for tougher stains

– Use for multiple purposes – not just laundry but carpet, upholstery etc

– Fresh and active – know the power is at full strength, not sitting in storage

While original OxiClean works very well for stain removal, the homemade version offers comparable cleaning power at a fraction of the cost. Give it a try and wave goodbye to laundry stains and dingy fabrics!

In summary, whipping up a batch of homemade OxiClean stain remover is easy, affordable and effective for tackling all kinds of household stains. Using the natural cleaning power of oxygen bleach, it can restore clothes, carpets and fabrics to a like-new condition. With some simple ingredients on hand, you can erase the toughest stains while saving money and avoiding harsh chemicals.

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