We all know that bleach really comes in handy around the house, especially when it comes to getting your white clothing, well, white again.  But, at the same time, more and more of us are moving away from bleach as the cure-all for stains, because of all the implications that come with it, both to our health and the environment.

But, if you were to throw out that bleach bottle in the laundry room, how else would you whiten your daily essentials?

Whitening Laundry without Bleach

To begin, lets cover why you would want to ditch bleach in favor of an alternative, basically taking a look at the different issues that can arise from relying on bleach for your household needs.

Skin Irritation

Of course, bleach can cause skin irritation should it actually get on your skin. And, some people are more sensitive to that irritation than others.  Babies and young children are extremely sensitive to the effects of bleach on the skin, as their skin has not yet developed more resilience.  Some people also naturally have a sensitive skin type that reacts very badly to bleach.

Eye Irritation

Getting bleach in your eyes is a lot more serious than getting it on your skin, for obvious reasons.  Our eyes are a lot more vulnerable, and if you don’t remove the bleach quickly enough, you can end up with chemical burns.  Even a few seconds of contact can cause extreme irritation and inflammation.

Respiratory Irritation

Bleach is extremely irritating to the respiratory tract, and breathing it in can cause coughing, burning, and headaches.  Those who are asthmatic may experience asthma attacks due to how much bleach can irritate the airways.

Danger to Pets and Children

Pets and children may accidentally ingest bleach, which can be extremely dangerous, and require immediate, urgent medical care.

Environmental Impact

The exact impacts of bleach on the environment are somewhat debated, as it seems to come down to the actual concentration of chloride in the solution, as well as how the bleach is used and disposed of.  Some argue that bleach changes the pH level in water sources, in a way that’s ultimately harmful to the ecosystem.

Damaging to Certain Materials

Bleach is a very harsh chemical that can damage more delicate fabrics, and many of us have seen at least a few casualties due to bleach damage when using it to whiten more delicate clothing items and linens.

Dangerous to Combine with Certain Ingredients

Bleach can be extremely dangerous when combined with other household products.  This would include products such as dish soap, resulting in a chemical reaction that can be potentially deadly.

How to Whiten Your Clothes That Have Yellowed

White fabrics tend to yellow due to age, exposure to dyed clothing in the laundry, and discoloration caused by general wear.  If you’re looking for an alternative to bleach when it comes to whitening your yellowed clothes, allow us to help.

There are some popular household agents that can whiten clothes without putting you at the risks associated with bleach. 

The most popular ones are:

• Baking soda
• Lemon juice
• White (distilled vinegar)
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Aspirin (dissolved in water)

These ingredients can be used alone or together, and if you’re hand-washing your clothing, you can just add them directly into your water and soap solution.  Keep in mind that none of them are ultimately as effective as bleach, and even may therefore require more time.  If clothing is badly yellowed, or if a yellow stain is caused by something potentially permanent like turmeric, you may not get perfect results.

Whiten Clothes in the Washer

You can use these ingredients in the washing machine as well.  Just add a cup or so of one, or a combination of them, into the compartment typically reserved for bleach.  It may take multiple washes to get the clothing looking its best.  And again, heavier soiling or yellowing may not be as effectively treated with these ingredients.

Is Non-Chlorine Bleach Real Bleach?

Many people wonder what the difference is between chlorine bleach and non-chlorine bleach.  Bleach is technically chlorine-based, but a common alternative which can be considered “non-chlorine bleach” is hydrogen peroxide.  The benefit is that peroxide is color-safe, and far less irritating or caustic. 

Why Should You Use Bleach Alternative Detergent?

A better solution than the ingredients we recommended is a dedicated bleach-alternative detergent, which is designed specifically for handling your laundry-related whitening needs without relying on actual bleach.  This is going to be far more effective, as it’s formulated specifically for handling the needs of your loads of whites.

Grab Green Home’s Bleach Alternative Pods are free of toxic chemicals like chlorine, dyes, phosphates, and surfactants, and equally free of ingredients known to cause harm to the environment.  Safe for colors, and safe for septic systems, it’s highly effective, yet gentle on more delicate clothing items.  It’s also capable of removing stains, all while being fully biodegradable.

The Bleach Alternative Detergent at Grab Green Home

Nobody wants yellowed or discolored whites, but at the same time, a growing number of households are trying to ditch the bleach because of its multitude of potentially harmful effects.  The good news is that there is an alternative that can brighten whites, remove stains and treat discoloration, all without causing harm to your health, the environment, or your colored and/or fragile garments and linens.

Grab Green’s eco-friendly, nontoxic bleach alternative offers a simple solution to your bleach-free household.  Just as effective, it’s nonirritating, and just as easy to use in order to get those whites nice and bright once again.  Check out our Bleach Alternative Pods, and say goodbye to bleach one and for all while you enjoy fresh, clean, and sparking clothes time and time again.