A natural alternative you can use instead of bleach
I first came across this natural bleach alternative several years ago, after receiving an email from a reader who shared my The miracle whitening solution Because bleach can damage his septic system. (Apparently, bleach can kill enzymes and bacteria in septic systems that break down and treat waste. I had no idea!)
This bleach alternative uses only two natural ingredients, both of which have whitening and stain-removing powers. And while I personally have no problem using bleach, I know many of you do for various reasons, so having a natural bleach option is a powerful thing to have on hand!
I enjoyed taking on the challenge of finding a viable bleach alternative, a request for readers and anyone else who might benefit! After some research and experimentation, I discovered that a combination of two versatile brightening agents — hydrogen peroxide And Lemon essential oil – Made a great bleach alternative!
This “homemade bleach” can whiten whites and brighten colors, and it’s also very inexpensive. I wouldn’t try to make a large batch ahead of time, though, as the hydrogen peroxide will start to break down once it’s in its dark bottle. (But I guess since there are only two ingredients, mixing them beforehand won’t save you much time!)
How to make a natural bleach substitute
Ingredients:
How to use these bleach substitutes instead of bleach
Add hydrogen peroxide and lemon essential oil (if using) directly to your washing machine’s bleach dispenser, where it will be mixed with water and added to the wash cycle. (No bleach dispenser? Add peroxide and lemon oil to 3 cups of water and pour it into the wash drum, when the drum is full or before adding your clothes.)
(One more note about bleach dispensers: The dispensers in older, top-loading washers sometimes don’t flush well. If you have an older top-loader, flush the bleach dispenser yourself with water after using it.)
Is this bleach safe for alternative colors?
Yes, you can use this bleach option to brighten colored clothes as well as whiten whites. Avoid undiluted infusion Hydrogen peroxide directly on colored clothing However, because it can result in permanent bleaching.
Instead, dilute the hydrogen peroxide (and lemon oil, if using) in 3 cups of water as described above and add it to the wash basin. When used in washing loads of colored clothes, this bleach option can brighten colors and dissolve residues stuck to the fabric.
Do these bleach alternatives really work?
My daughter-in-law Caitlin offered one of her bathroom towels as a test subject for this bleach alternative. She was eager to see if it could handle stubborn makeup stains, and as you can see, it was more than up to the task!
Overall, I am very satisfied with how well my natural bleach alternative works. Whether you have a septic system or just want to avoid using chlorine bleach in your laundry, I’m positive you’ll be glad you did too!
More tips for brighter colors and whiter whites
Do you have any tips for whitening or brightening laundry?
