sodium percarbonate

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One other thing, since pure sodium percarbonate will break down into sodium carbonate in the wash, would it be less than lets say oxyclean with its addition of 50% or more added washing soda? Thank you much Cheryl
 
"One other thing, since pure sodium percarbonate will break down into sodium carbonate in the wash, would it be less than lets say oxyclean with its addition of 50% or more added washing soda?"

Yes, of course it would be less.

I wonder how much percarbonate do you use.
 
Dixan, I use between 1 and 2 ounces, rarely more is needed. I also use hot water when I use it. I only use it when I'm in the mood to use a detergent that doesn't have a bleaching system. I also only use it on whites or very light colors. Tide with Bleach and Tide professional with oxy are generally my go tos.Actually the reason I ordered it to begin with is I'm mostly a powder detergent user, but I've learned from Launderess many postings how undesirable and how too much washing soda can be caustic, and pure sodium percarbonate is a much better alternative to using oxiclean which has a lot of washing soda in it. I'm quite happy with my results now, as far as whitening goes.I've also had great results using it as a bleach soak on old linens. Cheryl
 
I bleach all kinds of stuff with sodium percarbonate

I've used sodium percarbonate to good effect on countertop stains, stained mugs, even a concrete utility sink. That's in addition to laundry. I don't doubt that there are more effective products, but this is readily available, inexpensive, and not mixed with fragrances.
 
Help me understand. Are some of you saying that OxiClean has no value? That you should only use the "Pure" sodium percarb?
Also, another question. I think Dixan said it being pure means it has no contaminants. What exactly does that refer to? What could be a contaminant?
Sorry if these questions sound silly but I am trying to understand all of this.
 
I have and use pure sodium percarbonate..

But to be honest I haven't noticed that it whitens much better than plain old Borax..
I'm using a little more Borax than percarbonate but...And I've tried it using liquid and powder detergent? I know that Borax is suppose to release some oxygen (in hot water) but have no idea how much more or less than perborate/ percarbonate?
So Dixan.. What are your thoughts on Borax?
For me.. I know if I really want to whiten.. A small amount of LCB (a ounce) added the last 5 min always dose the trick.
 
Sodium Percarbonate

Does not break down to purely washing or even baking soda in water.

SP will release oxygen in water (the bound hydrogen peroxide to washing soda) yes, there will be trace amounts of alkalinity but not the entire amount.

All oxygen bleaches increase aggressiveness as pH increases. This is why commercial laundries/dry cleaners use ammonia along with oxygen bleach (usually liquid hydrogen peroxide) when spot treating stains. Ammonia is nothing more than a alkaline substance (gas) in water.

To this end makers of oxygen bleaches add various amounts of sodium carbonate to both perborate and percarbonate bleaches. The latter does not really need much if any increase in base substance as sodium carbonate is more alkaline than Borax.

Because sodium percarbonate is more expensive than Borax or sodium perborate some places cheap out by adding lots of washing soda (which is also inexpensive) to stretch the amount of sodium percarbonate. Oxiclean poweder is largely sodium carbonate whereas Tide bleaching products contain much less.

Quite honestly if using powdered detergent then there is more than enough alkalinity provided by washing soda and other substances for both types of oxygen bleaches. It is only when using liquid detergents and or making up an oxygen bleach soak or spot solution that it may be necessary to add additional alkalinity.

Again the beauty of oxygen bleaches is you can control their aggressiveness if one knows what one is doing. Commercial laundries and professional laundresses do this all the time. OTOH chlorine bleach leaves very little margin for error.
 
Dixan said that sodium percarbonate decomposes to sodium carbonate and H2O2. So , it seems to me that you still have sodium carbonate whether you like it or not. The problem in my opinion is that some people don't like Oxiclean (which has some sodium carbonate in it along with the percarbonate) and frankly they can't understand why anyone would use it. I believe that if their preference is to use sodium percarbonate instead of Oxiclean, then that is what they should use. And if someone likes Oxiclean, then they should use that.
 
Maylingsmom, quote me correctly if your going to quote me..I said IMHO the more pure sodium percarbonate is a better choice to make rather than oxyclean with its 50%+sodium carbonate added to it mostly as a filler if one is using powdered detergents. I also explained what can happen to fabrics if too much washing soda is used and not rinsed out properly. I still believe this.
I also know pure sodium percarbonate will break down into washing soda in the wash, but no where near the amount that using oxyclean will. I never put anyone down or belittled them in any way for using oxyclean, I only stated my opinion, that's what laundry forums are about.
Everyone should use what works for them, what they like.
I stand by my opinion that pure sodium percarbonate is a better choice than oxyclean for me because I use powdered detergents. Is there better products for whitening, because that what I use it for, of course there is Chlorine Bleach will whiten better than pure sodium percarbonate, I choose not to use it on repeated laundering.
I'm not the only one that feels this way, there are plenty of others that like the effects of pure sodium percarbonate. I have read AW for a very long time before I joined here, Launderess is a enclopedia of knowledge when it comes to laundry products..every teaching from her is dead on correct, that's who I have learned from when it comes to laundry products. Perhaps Maylingsmom you should read some of her teachings, rather than misquoting others.
 
sodium percarbonate decomposes to sodium carbonate and H2O2

Perhaps "decomposes" is the confusing word here.

Sodium percarbonate in water breaks down into washing soda and hydrogen peroxide.

http://www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry/resources/chemistry-in-your-cupboard/vanish/4

http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/sodium-percarbonate.html

People "like" Oxiclean because it is cheap, much cheaper than say purchasing small packets of say Ecover pure sodium percarbonate (only source one has locally for the pure stuff). Again it would wouldn't it? Because Oxiclean and various knockoffs contain large amounts of cheap filler (washing soda).

If you increase the pH level oxygen bleaches become more aggressive, hence the reason many suppliers cut pure oxygen bleach powders with alkaline substances such as washing soda.

One personally does not like using the various "Oxiclean" products because you are then stuck rinsing all that washing soda out of laundry. Again if using a powdered detergent piling on more soda just isn't necessary.
 
Thank you Launderess, and that is exactly what I've learned from you in reguards to oxygen Bleach. And I do know pure sodium percarbonate decomposes into washing soda in the wash its not nearly the amount that oxyclean would add. I know pure oxy is not the best at whitening for me its acceptable, and used with hot 130-140 degree f water gives me nice results. But thank you and everyone else here for all your input in this matter. Cheryl
 
mama

I don't believe I quoted you. I read my comment again and didn't see that I said your name. But I only voiced that some people like oxiclean and others don't which seems to me to be true. You don't agree with that statement?
 
laundress

Just to clear something up, you stated your opinion that people use Oxiclean because it is cheap. I have a different opinion and it is that they use it because it fits their needs. If price is a factor, then of course they may use it. But what you said is a sweeping generalization.
 
Doesn't really matter why people use oxiclean, ill go out on a limb here and assume its for the oxy because I couldn't understand anyone using it for another reason that being said if its being used for the oxi its just pointed out that there's a better alternative to getting oxy, pure sodium percarbonate for one, yes it decomposes to washing soda in the wash but still much less washing soda than oxiclean. Personally I think a lot of people have acceptable results with oxiclean, I just don't like all that washing soda in my clothes since I use powder detergent.
 
Mama

What's been your experience with liquid non chlorine bleaches?
Seventh Generation makes one, I think Safeway brand makes one...Bright Green is the brand. Have you had any luck with liquid versions, since your trying to avoid any extra sodium carbonate?
 
Stan, I have not used the liquid non chlorine bleach, I haven't found it in my area anywhere, would it be the same as liquid Clorox ll? Which I also have never used. I do plan to order some online one of these days. Actually I've never even researched it, so I know nothing about the stuff. I'll order soon and let you know what I think. Thanks Stan...Cheryl
 
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