Best Bleaches for Perfect White Laundry
Bleach, among all the home chemicals available today, is one of the most versatile and effective. Whether it’s a grassy stain on a white blouse or a dirty ceramic toilet bowl, bleach has an impact on almost everything. Great bleach, in any form, is a strong disinfectant and fabric whitener that needs to be treated with care.
Sodium hypochlorite, sometimes known as chlorine, is used in certain bleach formulations. Because chlorine affects the chemical colors in textiles, chlorine bleaches perform effectively as whitening agents in the laundry. Chlorine bleach is also a powerful antibacterial. Other bleaches include hydrogen peroxide, which acts as a fabric oxygenator.
Non-chlorine bleaches are preferable to use on colored fabrics. If you’re looking for an efficient bleach, whether for washing or cleaning up, read our buying guide to review our favorite bleaches on the market in 2023.
What Are the Best Bleach in 2023?
Clorox Bleach
– Best Overall
Clorox Disinfecting Bleach eliminates 99.9% of germs and bacteria in the home. It disinfects, deodorizes, whitens, and eliminates stains while cleaning. This bleach brightens whites, keeps clothing whiter for longer, and eliminates 70% more stains than regular detergent. It removes those stubborn laundry stains from all of your white clothing.
It’s fine to use in both conventional and high-efficiency washers. This product also contains CloroMax Technology, which protects home surfaces while cleaning, prevents stains, and makes cleanup simpler. This bleach does a great job, as it disinfects and deodorizes surfaces and eliminates 99.9% of mold and bacteria on home surfaces including counters, surfaces, bathrooms, and more. This choice will show you the power of cleanliness.
- Cleans and preserves surfaces in the home
- Removes odor-causing germs and aid in the prevention of odor build-up
- Brightens whites and keeps them white longer
- Extremely diluted solution
KI Bleach
– Runner Up
Pure Bright Bleach is a cost-effective option, while being powerful enough to cleanse and disinfect restrooms, shower stalls, bathrooms, worktops, and kitchen work surfaces. This germicidal bleach is efficient as a sanitizer against pathogens including E Coli, Rotavirus, typhoid, staphylococcus, and Hepatitis A, to mention a few.
This bleach is also great for laundry, as it will brighten and whiten your whites, while also disinfecting any of your white dirty laundry. Another thing to note is that this choice comes in a case of 6 1-gallon bottles.
- Powerful concentrated formula for effective disinfection
- Works well for both cleaning and laundry
- Offers the best value for money due to the concentrated solution
- The bottle quality is not good, it starts leaking
GuardH Bleach
– Honorable Mention
In comparison to other popular brands, GuardH Bleach Tablets offer 25% more bleach pills. This versatile bleach cleaner cleans clothes, bathroom faucets, toilets, and it’s also great for regular cleaning. This bleach pill dissolves quickly, allowing for a quick, simple, and cost-effective cleaning solution.
These tablets are packaged in a high-quality jar with a child-resistant cover that also ensures long-term effectiveness. These bleach tablets are also less expensive than fluid bleach, bleach granules, or bleach packages.
- Dissolves rapidly for quick cleaning
- Save your white laundry by cleaning and shining it
- It cleans, shines, and eliminates odors
- The smell is too strong
Grab Green Bleach
– Also Consider
The Grab Green Natural Laundry Whitener is an environmentally friendly option for families who wish to keep their home items natural and avoid using bleach in their laundry. There are no chlorine, phosphates, optical whiteners, or dyes in these pods; all of the chemicals used in the whitening pods are mineral and plant-based.
You can put one of these pods in the sink with water and give your clothes a good pre-soak for those especially tough stains. Alternatively, toss one of these pods with your clothes, either colors or whites, in your washer and start your laundry. These are a great option if you want bright washing without harsh chemicals or unpleasant accidents.
- Ingredients are obtained from plants and minerals
- Designed for high-efficiency machines
- When used as a pre-treater, it’s quite effective
- Turns the stains green
Evolve Bleach Tablets are a great way to bleach white and bleachable clothes without the mess that liquid bleach may produce. These tablets are phosphate-free and easy to use. This product is excellent for cleaning and deodorizing restaurants, cooking utensils, washing tubs, and other industrial cleaning applications. They’re also effective for cleaning toilets, glass, children’s toys, and other surface materials.
Another plus is your clothes and washing machine will also smell fresh after using this solution. This product is a strong answer for all of your cleaning requirements around the house, as it’s cost-effective, extremely concentrated, and capable of producing several times the number of liquid bleach cleansers.
- Mild bleach fragrance with floral tones creates a great fragrance combo
- Give a clean-up solution that’s both mess- and spill-free
- Takes time to dissolve
Buying Guide for the Best Bleaches
Bleach is a must-have in most cleaning supplies, but picking the correct type can be difficult. Whether you want to get your white dress shirt looking brand new or sanitize your exercise socks, the goal of the washing process should help guide your decision. Before adding it to your wash, think about other aspects including your skin’s sensitivity. Below is a buyer’s guide to select the perfect bleach for your laundry.
What Are the Different Forms of Bleach Available?
Since bleach, particularly when concentrated or undiluted, may be difficult to administer properly, manufacturers frequently provide a variety of container choices.
Liquid form
A liquid concentration packed in a plastic jug is the most common form of chlorinated bleach. Although concentrated bleach could be used for a few sanitizing purposes, most people blend it with water. To avoid splash-back or spilling, the liquid must be poured gently.
Tablets form
Solid pills of bleach are also available, which are easier to handle and may be used in washing machines or toilet tanks. Some people mix the pills with water to make a disinfectant spray. Chlorine and non-chlorine bleach can be purchased in water-soluble pods, powders, or crystals for use in laundry.
Gel form
One form of stain treating bleach that’s becoming increasingly popular is a splash-less solution that might be dispensed like a dishwashing liquid or poured in a handheld pen for stain removal. Bleach-infused wipes and bleach-based sprays are used for cleaning surfaces.
Components To Think About When Purchasing Bleach
Shelf life
Expiration dates should be written on both chlorine and non-chlorine bleaches. Generally, a bleach should have a shelf life of twelve months if properly kept. Non-chlorine formulations, on the other hand, may lose part of their effectiveness sooner. It is ideal to store your bleach concentrated or undiluted until you are ready to use it.
Scent
The chemical odor of concentrated chlorine bleach is similar to that of ammonia. The usual bottle of chlorine bleach has 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, although some stronger formulations may have as much as 6% or more. Aromatic bleaches are available, especially for laundry use; however, their effectiveness could well be compromised.
Ingredients
Chemicals are used in certain bleaches, whereas organic substances are used in others. Because bleach is a powerful chemical, caution should be exercised while using chemical-based bleach. Bleach has a strong stench and can occasionally harm garments, despite its effectiveness in the whitening laundry. Organic bleaches are also efficient in brightening garments and don’t contain harsh chemicals or smells.
Color safe
Some bleaches are also acceptable for use on colored apparel in addition to enhancing white garments. Color-safe bleaches can brighten, restore color, and remove stains from white and colorful clothes.
What’s the Difference Between Chlorine Bleach and Non-chlorine Bleach?
Chlorine bleach
The basic chemical formula for washing bleach featured sodium hypochlorite, a very strong compound. Chlorine-based bleaches are particularly powerful in stain removal and disinfection, although they can be overpowering in some situations.
Chlorine bleach may cause colored fabrics to fade and is quite toxic when used undiluted. When using chlorine bleach, users should wear protective clothing to avoid splash-back, spillage, or intense fumes.
Non-chlorine bleach
Non-chlorine bleaches use hydrogen peroxide, a kind of water with extra oxygen molecules, instead of sodium hypochlorite. Because they are not meant for whitening, non-chlorine bleaches are safer to use on colored materials.
During the wash cycle, the extra oxygen interacts with the cloth fibers, releasing oils, dirt, and other pollutants. While non-chlorine bleaches have some disinfectant properties, they are most commonly employed in the laundry as color enhancers. However, they might not be quite as efficient as chlorine bleach at removing stains.
What Are Some Tips for Safe and Effective Cleaning With Bleach?
Here are several suggestions for using bleach in a sensible way:
- Dissolve the bleach in the water to make washing gentler.
- Bleach can be placed into a washing machine, even though it will ultimately be diluted.
- Before you start sanitizing, make sure the surface is clean. Sanitize an area using bleach and water after cleaning it with water and soap. Allow at least 5 minutes for the bleach/water solution to settle on the surface before rinsing and air drying.
- Rather than using sodium hypochlorite or chlorine, color-safe bleach uses hydrogen peroxide to completely eliminate spots and brighten colors.
- Chlorine bleach is often used in household cleaning goods because it can whiten clothing and be used to get rid of molds.
What Is the Price Range of Bleach?
- A typical liquid concentration, which should cost between $4 and $8 for a 64-ounce container, is the most cost-effective bleach on shop shelves.
- The price of gel bleach for washing and cleaning is from $4 to $8, but the container size is roughly half that of a liquid concentration.
- Bleach pods are typically more costly, and in some respects less flexible, than powders, wipes, and crystals, which vary from $8 to $10.
Bleach FAQ
A: Bleach is a substance that comes in a variety of forms and is used to brighten colors, particularly white clothes, in washing. These products are deep cleaners that aid in the removal of any remaining layers of filth, dust, and mud that may be discoloring your clothing.
A: A strong combination made from hydrogen peroxide and Dawn can be applied on collars and underarms to help erase discoloration. Use ½ cup of vinegar or bicarbonate soda to your laundry to lighten and help soften your garments. Make sure you just use one of these at a time and don't combine them. Half a cup is a decent starting point, but depending on the size of your load of laundry, you may have to adjust.
A: The whitening action of chlorine bleach can be explained in two ways. Sodium hypochlorite is a chemical found in chlorine bleach and may harm a wide range of textiles and dissolve garment colors. Bleach also alters the material's light reflection, giving the appearance of a brighter shade of white to our eyes.
A: Baking soda may be used to whiten clothing instead of bleach. To whiten, brighten, and soften garments, add baking soda to a cycle of washing. If you have small, stubborn spots, you can make a paste with baking soda and water and put it directly on the spot. Baking soda is safe to use on all colors of clothing and will not bleach them.
