As more and more households strive to get rid of waste, more people find themselves turning to cleaning products that can tackle more than just one chore around the house.
Sodium percarbonate, also known as oxygen bleach or green bleach, is one of those cleaning products. This one powder, when mixed with water, can be used to clean all manner of things from the toilet through to chopping boards and even your patio.
Sodium percarbonate is a wildly useful product that is readily available in the UK, both as the raw product, and as an ingredient in an off-the-shelf cleaning product.
Sodium percarbonate itself can be found online from companies such as Amazon, Ethical Superstore, and Big Green Smile, whilst products that contain sodium percarbonate can be found in most stores and supermarkets.
Where to Buy Sodium Percarbonate for Cleaning in the UK
Online
1. Customchem Sodium Percarbonate – 2 kg
Customchem’s sodium percarbonate is a simple, no-frills product consisting of pure sodium percarbonate.
The 2 kg tub represents great value for money and will last a long time. It can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks all around the home, both indoors and out.
It’s great for whitening whites and removing stains, and using it will save you a lot of money compared to buying fancy branded products.
2. Sodasan Oxygen Bleach – 500 g
Sodasan’s oxygen bleach from Ethical Superstore has been specifically designed to work wonders as a laundry additive.
This oxygen bleach contains just sodium percarbonate and soda, with none of the added enzymes, preservatives, or chlorine-based bleaches that can be found in some other laundry additives.
As this oxygen bleach doesn’t contain added chemicals, reviewers have found success with tasks other than just laundry.
In addition to being used to brighten laundry and remove stains, many reviewers have achieved great results when tackling hard water or tea stains, for example.
This oxygen bleach ticks all of the boxes regarding sustainability and ethics; it’s vegan friendly, isn’t tested on animals, free from palm oil, septic-tank safe, carbon neutral, and more.
3. Droguerie Ecologique Sodium Percarbonate 1 Kg
Droguerie Ecologique’s sodium percarbonate comes in handy 1 kg bags, ready to be used all around the house and garden.
This particular product uses completely plastic-free packaging to be even kinder to the environment, and the company themselves pride themselves on minimising their environmental impact.
This French brand carries Ecocert, FSC, and Organic Farming certifications. All of their products use only natural ingredients with the lowest possible environmental impact.
In shops and supermarkets
When it comes to buying in stores and supermarkets, you are much more likely to find cleaning and laundry products that contain sodium percarbonate than the chemical itself. However, that isn’t to say that it isn’t possible!
If you are looking for sodium percarbonate itself, try eco-friendly stores if you cannot find it in one of the larger supermarkets.
When it comes to cleaning and laundry products that contain sodium percarbonate, such as Vanish, they can be found in most stores and supermarkets, including:
- Asda
- Tesco
- Sainsbury’s
- Morrisons
- Waitrose
- Marks & Spencer
- Co-Op
- Aldi
- Lidl
Sodium Percarbonate FAQs
What is sodium percarbonate used for?
Sodium percarbonate is a multipurpose chemical that can be used to tackle a range of cleaning tasks. The chemical is a mixture of sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide.
Sodium percarbonate, or oxygen bleach, is found in a variety of laundry stain removers or boosters, such as Vanish.
In addition to stain removal, sodium percarbonate can be used as a deodoriser, disinfectant, and multipurpose cleaner.
Is sodium percarbonate the same as bicarbonate of soda?
Sodium percarbonate and bicarbonate of soda are definitely not the same and cannot be used interchangeably.
Bicarbonate of soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is an alkali that is used to raise baked goods, such as breads, biscuits, or cakes. It can also be used as a natural alternative to chemical cleaning products in some tasks.
Sodium percarbonate, however, is a mix of sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide. Sodium percarbonate is also known as oxygen bleach, and is often found as an ingredient in stain removers and laundry boosters.
Is sodium percarbonate bad for you?
Like all cleaning chemicals, when used correctly, sodium percarbonate is unlikely to cause any harm.
However, like all cleaning chemicals, you should take care to prevent sodium percarbonate ending up on your skin, in your eyes, or ingested.
It should always be kept out of reach of children and pets, and you should take adequate precautions to protect your skin too.
How do you use sodium percarbonate in laundry?
Sodium percarbonate is a common additive in off-the-shelf laundry stain removers and boosters.
In addition to this, you can also add a couple of tablespoons of sodium percarbonate straight into the detergent drawer of your washing machine to give an extra cleaning boost.
When mixed with water, sodium percarbonate can also be used as part of a pre-soak or pre-treatment process.
Does sodium percarbonate have a shelf life?
Sodium percarbonate is stable, however it can decompose faster in hot or moist places. However, in its original powder form and when correctly stored, it should last at least a year.
Once the sodium percarbonate has been mixed with water to use, however, it will only still be effective for between 4 and 5 hours.
Uses of Sodium Percarbonate
1. Clothing stain remover
Sodium percarbonate, or oxygen bleach, is a common ingredient in many off-the-shelf stain removers and laundry boosters. In the same way, sodium percarbonate can be used on its own to remove stains or leave your laundry brighter.
For an added boost in your laundry, simply add two tablespoons of sodium percarbonate into the dispenser drawer along with your regular detergent. If the laundry is really soiled, add an extra two tablespoons.
2. Pre-washing
Sodium percarbonate can also be used as part of a pre-wash or pre-soak process. Simply mix together around 4 tablespoons of the sodium percarbonate with 5 litres of warm water until the powder has completely dissolved.
The oxygen bleach is only active for up to 5 hours, at this point, it should be discarded.
3. Cleaning the bathroom
Regardless of if it is made into a paste or a cleaning solution, sodium percarbonate can make light work of a range of bathroom cleaning tasks.
Staining on surfaces and sinks can be tackled with a sodium percarbonate paste. To make the paste, simply mix enough water into the sodium percarbonate until it just forms a paste.
This can then be spread on a stain, and left to work for a few minutes before being rinsed off. In the case of stubborn marks, scrub the paste using an old toothbrush before rinsing.
When it comes to bathroom chores that you would usually use a liquid cleaner or multipurpose spray for, you can make up an alternative with sodium percarbonate.
Simply mix together a tablespoon of sodium percarbonate with 300ml of warm or hot water as and when you need it.
4. Refreshing grout
Grout in between tiling, especially in bathrooms, can end up covered in black mould and mildew.
A paste of sodium percarbonate can be used to cut through these black marks leaving you with fresh, shiny grout.
Simply stir enough water into sodium percarbonate to make a paste, and wipe it over the tiles and grout with a clean sponge or cloth.
Leave the paste for about ten minutes before rinsing away. If needed, scrub the grout with an old toothbrush or nail brush to tackle stubborn areas.
5. Disinfecting and cleaning the kitchen
Like the bathroom, sodium percarbonate can be used to disinfect and clean a variety of kitchen items.
When made up into a cleaning spray, sodium percarbonate can be used to clean the insides of fridges and freezers, bins, work surfaces, and more.
For stained chopping boards, mix sodium percarbonate into a paste.
Wipe the paste over the stain, then leave to work for a few minutes. Rinse the chopping board well to remove any residue, then wash thoroughly before use.
6. Cleaning stained utensils and mugs
Most households will have stained mugs or kitchen utensils. Rather than just accepting these stains, they can be tackled with sodium percarbonate.
Fill a large bowl or the sink with warm water, and stir in a tablespoon of sodium percarbonate until it dissolves. Soak all of the stained utensils and mugs in the water for thirty minutes, then rinse.
Make sure that you wash them thoroughly before using to remove any remaining residue.
7. Cleaning the patio
Rather than purchasing a cleaning chemical that is suitable just for cleaning the patio or decking, you can use sodium percarbonate.
Mix 100 g of sodium percarbonate with 2 litres of hot water, and apply to the surface using either a mop or a cloth.
Leave the solution to work for between 30 and 60 minutes, then scrub well using a brush or broom. Rinse the patio thoroughly using a hose to remove any remaining residue.
Lover of coffee, painting, and all things cute and fluffy. I’m always on the lookout for easier, more gentle ways to tackle awful household chores.
