Sodium percarbonate: properties, uses and where to find the ecological whitener

Sodium percarbonate is an eco-friendly and non-polluting whitener. In detergents it has replaced sodium perborate. It performs both a cleansing and a whitening action at the same time. Its effectiveness is due to a chemical reaction of decomposition of sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide.

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Il sodium percarbonate is one eco-friendly whitener and non-polluting. In detergents it has replaced sodium perborate. It performs both a cleansing and a whitening action at the same time.

Its effectiveness is due to a chemical reaction of decomposition of soda carbonateor and hydrogen peroxide.

Index

Properties of percarbonate

Percarbonate is mainly used for whiten naturally laundry, to sanitize it and to remove stains. And the ecological substitute Partner some bleach which, it must be remembered, is unfortunately highly polluting. Its whitening effectiveness is greater than that of baking soda.

It is able to lighten the gray and yellowed garments, restoring them to their natural splendor. It is delicate on colored garments, on which it carries out a sanitizing action. Thanks to sodium percarbonate, white and light garments regain their natural brightness. Sanitizes, stains and whitens a basse temperature, already at only 30 ° C, thus allowing you to carry out energy-saving and hot water washes in the washing machine.

Furthermore, improves washing in presence of hard waters, allowing for softer laundry. However, the effectiveness of percarbonate is not limited to just laundry, which can also be used in the dishwasher, for washing dishes by hand and for cleaning the house. It does not contain enzymes, surfactants or optical brighteners, nor phosphorus or allergens. It can be mixed with liquid or powder detergent.

READ also 5 do-it-yourself laundry detergents

Caution: percarbonate it is not suitable for wool, linen, leather or silk garments.

How to use percarbonate

1) In the washing machine

To carry out a normal laundry in the washing machine, it is recommended to use a spoonful of percarbonate to pour into the drum, in addition to liquid or powder detergent. His action is sanitizing and stain remover. Two tablespoons of percarbonate will be used for the most stubborn stains.

2) Hand washed

Also for hand washing it is possible to use percarbonate, adding some a spoon inside the basin in which the washing will be carried out, which can be accompanied by an ecological liquid detergent or natural soap.

3) Pre-wash

The use of percarbonate is useful for hand pre-wash, in case you want to act promptly on stains that appear particularly stubborn, even before the actual washing. It is therefore possible to soak the items to be washed in warm water with the addition of a spoonful of percarbonate and a measuring cup of ecological liquid detergent.

4) Washable diapers and baby clothes

Washable diapers and delicate clothes of babies and children can be sanitized in an ecological and natural way thanks to the sodium percarbonate, which will replace so i whitening and disinfectant products not environmentally friendly commonly on sale. Add one or two tablespoons when soaking clothes, washing by hand or in the washing machine.

5) Crockery

Pure sodium percarbonate can also be used in dishwasher or for hand washing dishes, pots and cutlery. In the case of the handwash, it will be used to sanitize objects, thanks to a short soak in water (the sanitizing action of percarbonate starts at 30 ° C and is even more effective at 50 ° C). It can be added in the dishwasher to sanitize even the same appliance when washing dishes or in a vacuum cycle. The indicative quantity is one teaspoon to add to the detergent, but it is advisable to adjust with the doses suggested on the packages of the various products.

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6) Stubborn stains

It's possible pre-treat stains stubborn with pure sodium percarbonate before go to washing. It is sufficient to sprinkle them with a little product, moisten with warm water, leave to act for ten minutes and then proceed with washing.

READ also: Stains: 10 tricks and remedies to remove the most difficult ones

7) House cleaning

Percarbonate can be used for cleaning of washable surfaces and resistant parts of the house, such as bathroom fixtures, tiles, stoves and floors. In a liter of water, inside a spray bottle, simply dissolve a spoonful of percarbonate and a spoonful of ecological detergent or liquid soap. You can also add 10-15 drops of lemon, lavender or eucalyptus essential oil to perfume and increase the sanitizing power. The liquid must be sprayed on surfaces, to be wiped with a dry cloth.

Where to find sodium percarbonate

Sodium percarbonate can be purchased online and or in the organic food shops which include a sector dedicated to house cleaning, as well as some supermarkets. It can also be used as the main ingredient in eco-friendly powder whitening products. On the label it is indicated with the name of Sodium Carbonate Peroxide and described with the function of whitener and bleach. It is possible to purchase and use both pure sodium percarbonate and ecological whitening and sanitizing products mainly based on sodium percarbonate.

Marta Albè

For more tips on how to clean your home without chemical detergents, we recommend our book "My eco-clean house - Eco-friendly and economical do-it-yourself detergents"(Gribaudo 2014). You can find it in all Feltrinelli bookstores at a price of 14,99 euros. You can take advantage of the 15% launch discount by purchasing the book online:

Sodium percarbonate: properties, uses and where to find the ecological whitener