How to Use Bleach In Your Washing Machine – Is It Safe to Use

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You can disinfect fabrics, make whites whiter, and get tough stains removed by learning how to use bleach in laundry correctly. The bleach packaging and your washing machine can provide you with more detailed instructions, but you can also follow a few general guidelines when using bleach with laundry. Remember that bleach is only used in the washing machine or in diluted form to remove stains; it is not used in the dryer.

Table of Contents

Can You Use Bleach in a Washing Machine?

As long as you use bleach properly, it is safe to use in washing machines.

To confirm that the manufacturer permits the use of bleach, we advise consulting the washing machine’s user manual.

Will Bleach Damage My Washing Machine?

Before using bleach in your machine, consult the user manual. If it does, it’s safe to use bleach in the recommended dosage amounts and won’t harm your washing machine.

Will Bleach Damage My Clothing?

Your clothing is much more likely to be harmed by chlorine bleach than your washing machine.

Always check the care label on the item. It’s okay to use bleach if the care label has a blank triangle. Don’t bleach the garment, though, if the triangle has a cross through it.

You can usually bleach these materials:

Cotton
Linen
Rayon
Polyester (for dying purposes)

The color fastness should also be checked. By doing this, you can be certain that the bleach won’t harm the garment’s coloring. Mix two teaspoons of warm water with one teaspoon of bleach to accomplish this.

Use a cotton swab dipped in the solution to blot the fabric in a discrete area, like an interior seam. Launder the area completely. Bleaching this item is safe if there is no color change or color transfer on the cotton swab.

Not just with chlorine bleach, but with all three types as well. However, compared to chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach and hydrogen peroxide are less likely to harm your clothes.

How to Clean a Front Loader Washing Machine With Bleach

Keep in mind that you must use protective gloves and a well-ventilated area when handling bleach. Bleach should only be used with caution because, due to its hospital-grade components, it is incredibly effective on surfaces.

When cleaning a front loader washing machine, there are four areas to focus on:

The detergent drawer
The drum
The rubber gasket
The exterior

Step one: Start by organizing the detergent drawer. Pull the plastic out entirely and soak it for about an hour in a half-bucket of hot water that has been diluted with a fifth of a cup of bleach to remove any soap residue that may have dried in hidden crevices underneath the plastic. Before cleaning the drawer and putting it back in the washing machine, use an old toothbrush to scrub away any lingering limescale or mold.

Step two: Then, use bleach to clean the drum by running an empty laundry cycle. Inside your machine, dirt or mold frequently won’t be readily apparent, but you might be able to smell something funky, which indicates the presence of bacteria. To kill germs and get rid of odors, simply add half a cup of bleach to your detergent drawer and run a typical wash cycle with hot water. To remove any leftover bleach, perform an additional rinse cycle.

Step three: To remove any objects that may have become wedged underneath the rubber gasket, such as hair clips or coins, open the door and press down on it. Before using a bleach spray to disinfect the area (we suggest White King Bleach Spray), you should also wipe away any dirt and soap scum. Only bleach will kill any mold you may have in this area. Scrub difficult-to-reach places with a toothbrush, then thoroughly rinse everything with warm water and a clean cloth.

Step four: Additionally, clean the machine’s exterior surface. If you have a stainless-steel machine, bleach may be too abrasive for this surface, so warm, soapy water will do.

Different Types of Bleach

Knowing the three main types of bleach can help when using it in your washing machine and laundry routine.

Chlorine Bleach

This is most likely what comes to mind when you hear the word “bleach.” Liquid sodium hypochlorite is the chemical compound that makes chlorine bleach. It is an extremely potent, clear, thick liquid.

That’s beneficial in one way because it gets rid of stains and germs. It is therefore very effective at cleaning.

However, due to its toxicity, many people refrain from using it in their homes. Your skin will become very irritated by it, and breathing it in is unsafe. But if you use it properly, it shouldn’t hurt you.

It functions by oxidizing substances, which releases oxygen molecules. When bleach comes in contact with your clothing, the chemical bonds are broken, reflecting the colorless absence that our eyes perceive as white. Pretty neat, huh?

Oxygen Bleach

The sound of oxygen bleach may be appealing to you if you’re trying to reduce the use of chemicals in your home. In many ways, it works just as well as chlorine bleach. You might even be able to completely do away with the need for chlorine bleach if you use baking soda properly.

Sodium percarbonate and hydrogen peroxide are combined to create oxygen bleach. You can use it in a number of areas of the home, including laundry, and it typically takes the form of a white granular powder.

Although it is safer for you, sensitive skin may still find it upsetting. Wear gloves in that scenario.

When the powder and water are combined, oxygen is released, which helps to clean. This oxygen process effectively gets rid of stains, dirt, and even restores the whiteness of clothing.

Because it is safe for both colored and white clothing, we adore oxygen bleach. Yellow, blue, and orange clothes and sheets, among other colors, can all be successfully cleaned with it.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a different substance that you might already have in your cupboard that can serve as a secure bleach substitute. Though it is much safer for you, it has a similar appearance to bleach.

Just be certain you’re using a three percent solution for domestic use. Normally, it is sold in this manner, but always confirm.

A potent cleaner, hydrogen peroxide is. Utilize it for disinfection, cleaning, and clothing whitening. It functions as a disinfectant due to the presence of nascent oxygen.

The mixture functions similarly to bleach in that it converts colored compounds into colorless compounds. That is why it works so well to remove stains.

7. How to Use Bleach In Your Washing Machine2

How Much Bleach to Add to Laundry

It all depends on the brand and kind of bleach you’re using.

Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before using bleach in your laundry routine.

For instance, when washing clothes in a standard machine, Clorox advises using 13 cup for normal soil levels and 23 cup for heavy soil levels. When using a high-efficiency machine, they advise filling your bleach dispenser to the top line.

A measuring cup is included with OxiClean, a popular brand of oxygen bleach. They advise adding more for heavier loads and filling to line two for normal loads. They don’t specify how much “more” is, which can be confusing.

We advise adding one cup of hydrogen peroxide each cycle.

Tips for Using Bleach in a Washing Machine

Let’s recap some of the most important tips for using bleach in your washing machine:

Use hot water: As instructed on the care label, use the warmest setting possible. The bleach is now more efficient as a result.
Use correct detergent: Verify that using detergent along with the bleach of your choice is safe. Take the time to carefully read the instruction manual. Make sure there are no ammonia or acids in the detergent.
Wear gloves: Wearing safety equipment is essential when using chlorine bleach. When using oxygen bleach and hydrogen peroxide, we also advise wearing gloves if you have sensitive skin.
Never mix bleach: Never combine chlorine bleach with other cleaning agents, particularly acidic or ammonia-based ones. White vinegar that has been distilled is included. Gases that are harmful can be produced by this mixture.
Add bleach before clothes: Never allow undiluted bleach to contact your clothing. In a top loader, always add the bleach to the dispenser after diluting it. Your clothing may be damaged and may be unevenly bleached if you use undiluted bleach.
Read the product packaging: Always read the brand’s warnings before beginning because there might be some additional advice depending on the brand you use. For instance, because it can weaken the fibers, you shouldn’t use the majority of oxygen bleach products on silk, wool, or leather.
Use fresh bleach: Never use bleach that has gone bad or that has been sitting open on a shelf for a while. Bleach can lose its potency and stop working well after about six months.
Don’t use chlorine bleach too often: Even though chlorine bleach is safe when used properly, frequent use can weaken fibers and cause yellowing. When necessary, only employ it.
Keep away from children: Even if you are using bleach as safely as you can, kids still make mistakes. Therefore, keep bleach away from them at all times, and keep them away when you are bleaching clothing.

How Often Should You Use Bleach to Clean Clothes?

As previously stated, using bleach—particularly chlorine bleach—too frequently can harm clothing. They may turn yellow and lose strength.

While there is no set amount of time you should use bleach, we advise keeping it to emergency situations only.

Hydrogen peroxide and oxygen bleach can be used more frequently. Depending on the brand you choose, you might even be able to use oxygen bleach in every load of laundry.

FAQs

Can You Use Scented Bleach to Sanitize Laundry?

The majority of brands do indeed produce scented bleach that is still safe for laundry. Check the ingredients list nonetheless, as scented bleach has been found to contain less sodium hypochlorite than unscented bleach. As a result, its sanitization capabilities might not be as strong.

Will Bleach Ruin My Washing Machine?

Make sure you can use bleach on your appliance by checking the user manual every time. However, if you clean your washing machine properly and don’t use too much bleach, any potential problems should be kept to a minimum. Excessive bleaching can have negative long-term effects.

Can You Hand-Wash Laundry With Bleach?

You can still hand-wash the items or use a spot cleaner if you need to sanitize or bleach-wash laundry but are unable to use a machine.

The recommended soaking time and dilution ratios should be followed on the packaging before thoroughly scrubbing the clothing.

When washing laundry by hand with bleach, always wear protective gloves. Using bleach can still irritate your skin, regardless of the type.

Where Do You Put Bleach in a Washing Machine Without a Dispenser

Let the drum fill with water first, then pour the bleach right into it if your top-loading washer is without a dispenser.

What Happens If You Put Too Much Bleach in the Washing Machine?

Too much bleach has a few adverse effects:

garments that are turning yellow.
tearing apart fabric to destroy it.
removing the whitening substances from your clothing.
It’s possible for the machine to add bleach too soon if there is too much bleach in the dispenser. Your clothing may become stained and damaged as a result.
The metal components of your washing machine can corrode from using too much bleach.

Final Words

Learning to use bleach products safely is a necessary part of learning how to do laundry correctly. One quick and easy way to keep whites white and disinfect laundry is to use chlorine bleach, but it’s important to know how to bleach clothes properly. Bleach can be your best friend if you use it carefully when doing your laundry. You risk ruining your favorite clothes if you are not careful.

If you have other problems with washing machines, welcome to check the following guides!