Adding bleach in the laundry can help remove stains and brighten clothes when used correctly. Read this guide to learn the ins and outs of how to wash clothes with bleach, including how much to add, when to add it and more. Select a specific topic to learn more.
BENEFITS OF USING BLEACH IN LAUNDRY
Using bleach in laundry can help brighten white clothes and remove stains. Bleach helps remove stains by turning them into colorless, dissolvable particles that can be targeted by detergents and rinsed away in the wash water.
More powerful bleaches, known as chlorine or liquid household bleach, can disinfect in addition to cleaning and whitening. These bleaches work on many whites and colorfast washables but are not safe for wool or silk. Oxygen (color-safe) bleaches offer a gentler alternative, ensuring safety for most washable fabrics while effectively helping to preserve whiteness. Always check your clothing’s care tag to be sure it’s safe to use bleach.
HOW TO USE BLEACH IN A WASHING MACHINE
When you use bleach the right way, you can help eliminate certain stains and brighten clothes. Follow these steps to learn how to do your laundry from start to finish, including sorting your laundry, which cycle to choose, when to add bleach to laundry and more.
1. CHECK YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL
First, you’ll want to check your owner’s manual to see if your washer is compatible with bleach. It may also specify how much bleach to add to your cycle.
2. SORT LAUNDRY
Next, sort your laundry between bleach-safe fabrics and non-bleachable fabrics. After that, sort the bleachable fabrics by whites, lights, brights and darks. Certain fabrics like wool, silk, suede and spandex are generally not safe for bleach. Be sure to check your clothing’s care tag before bleaching.
3. DECIDE ON THE TYPE OF BLEACH
There are two types of bleach you can use when doing laundry: chlorine and non-chlorine bleach (often known as “color-safe” or “oxygen-based” bleach). Chlorine bleach can be used to brighten white clothes and helpremove stains from whites, however, it cannot be used on colored loads or whites with embroidery or pops of color. Non-chlorine bleach is often used to help treat stains on both colored or white clothing. Certain stains, like grease stains, may require a different kind of stain treatment. Your clothing care tag may specify what bleach is best to use if you are unsure.
4. SELECT CYCLE
If you are washing whites, the Whites wash cycle on your washer uses hot water and high spin speeds to help wash away soils. If your washer does not have a Whites cycle or you are washing colored clothing, you can use a heavy-duty cycle with hot water and an extra rinse.
5. ADD BLEACH TO THE WASHER
While the amount of bleach you add depends on your load’s soil level and the brand of bleach you use, a ¼ cup of bleach per load is the general rule of thumb. If your laundry has an automatic bleach dispenser, you’ll want to pour the liquid bleach directly into that. If you are using powdered detergent, pour it directly into the drum before adding clothes.
If your washer does not have an automatic bleach dispenser, you will need to start the washer and let it fill about halfway before adding your bleach.
6. ADD LAUNDRY
After adding your bleach, it’s time to add your laundry. Be sure to not overload your washer so your clothes can get a more thorough clean.
7. START THE CYCLE
Once bleach and clothes are added, you can start the cycle. If you have a washer without an automatic dispenser, the water should already be running.
TIPS FOR USING BLEACH IN LAUNDRY
Keep reading for more tips on how to use bleach in laundry.
Check your owner’s manual
Be sure to check your owner’s manual to ensure that your washing machine can handle bleach.
Read the care tag
Before using bleach in laundry, you should always read your clothing’s care tag to ensure that it can handle bleach and if a certain amount or type of bleach should be used.
Read the cleaning product label
Some detergents may have a color-safe bleach or bleach alternative already mixed in. The cleaning product label should be able to help you determine if you can use bleach in addition to your detergent.
Test clothing
You can also test your clothing by dipping a cotton swab into a bleach and water solution and dabbing it on an inside seam. If there is no discoloration, you should be safe to use bleach.
Work inward
If you are using bleach to remove stains, work from the outer edge inward and rinse with fresh water when the stain is gone.
FAQs
If you’re still unsure or left with some lingering questions on how to use bleach in laundry, keep reading for answers to common questions.
DOES BLEACH DAMAGE CLOTHES?
While bleach is generally safe to use on many clothes, it can be damaging if it is not used correctly. Be sure to always check your clothing’s care tag before using bleach. This can help you choose the best bleach for you, discover methods for washing clothes with bleach, or help you avoid using bleach altogether.
HOW DO YOU WASH COLORED CLOTHES WITH BLEACH?
Many types of colored clothes can be washed with a color safe bleach, also known as non-chlorine bleach—although you should avoid using bleach on certain fabric types. Follow the steps above when using non-chlorine bleach. Be sure to check your clothing’s care tag to get proper wash instructions.
CAN YOU MIX BLEACH WITH DETERGENT?
While both chlorine bleach and oxygen (non-chlorine) bleach are compatible with detergent, it is not recommended to combine the two before adding them to the washer.
You can add liquid chlorine bleach to your washer’s bleach dispenser, which can automatically dilute bleach with the water that is added to the drum. If you do not have a bleach dispenser, you can add bleach as the washer fills with water and before you add clothing.
Oxygen bleach is most commonly found in powdered form, allowing you to add it to the empty washer before adding clothes. However, if your oxygen bleach is liquid, follow the same instructions as liquid chlorine bleach.
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