What is bleach alternative?

Factual Questions
1

I know that bleach you buy is “chlorine bleach” (sodium hypochlorite) or “oxygen bleach” (hydrogen peroxide). If you dump a bit of this in the wash, it’ll clean you whitest whites and, I assume, kill whatever is lurking on your underwear.

But here’s my question: What is “bleach alternative” that you find in certain products, like Tide with Bleach Alternative? Is it a chemical? Does it kill and whiten in the same way as the chemical stuff?

I visited the Tide website, but they refuse to explain what it is. Wikipedia has nothing? What the heck is this stuff?

2

I have always assumed that “bleach alternative” was oxygen-based bleach, an alternative to chlorine-based. Now I’m curious, too.

3

The most common bleach alternative is sodium percarbonate, a compound of sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide also known as oxygen bleach.

4

yep sodium percarbonate http://www.greenhome.com/products/housekeeping/all_purpose_cleaners/106441/

5

Does sodium percarbonate kill bacteria and other such nasties? Can I wash my undies and my t-shirts in the same wash if I use this stuff?

6

well its your own germs so they wont do you any harm. I certainly wont be sharing your tub though.

7

Almost any laundry detergent plus an hour in the dryer will kill most bacteria.

8

Most of my underwear is pink and blue. Walloon, I’m glad I don’t need to invest in bleach (yeah, yeah, or bleach for colors) to clean my underoos.

9

I use el cheapo pine oil for colored fabrics that need to be disinfected. It words great for doggy blankets and pillows and such. Don’t use the scented pine-sol though. Get the off brand that has at least 80% pine oil.

Here’s a good site with some info at the bottom about eliminating germs in laundry-

10

A mild acidic solution can help as well.

http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/yates/8030.htm

Here is further discussion I’ve seen: Vinegar - tasty condiment or household disinfectant? - bacteria bleach cleaner | Ask MetaFilter

And discussion from a few scientific types: http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/mole00/mole00100.htm

vinegar with peroxide: Super Disinfectant Spray Using Peroxide & Vinegar - Share The Wealth