Main Ingredients In Oxiclean

OxiClean contains a number of ingredients you should be aware of, especially if you have young kids around.

Image Credit: Christian Horz/iStock/GettyImages

In This Article

    Sodium Percarbonate
  
    Sodium Carbonate
  
    Hydrogen Peroxide
  
    Surfactants
  Oxygen-cleaning technology has been commercially marketed since the 1970s. Oxygen cleaners began to grow in popularity with consumers in the mid-1990s when the current "green" awareness began to grow.

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 While oxygen cleaners — like OxiClean — work on organic stains, they have little effect on grease or petrochemical stains. Because there are no harsh or caustic chemical ingredients in OxiClean and because it breaks down into oxygen and water, it's considered a very eco-friendly product.

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  However, since the pH of the water is raised significantly with the potential for fiber damage, it's important to use oxygen cleaners correctly. Here's what you need to know about the ingredients in OxiClean.

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 Related Reading How Bad Is It Really to Never Deep Clean Your House?

Sodium Percarbonate OxiClean consists of 50 to 60 percent sodium percarbonate. Sodium percarbonate must be added to water to be activated. When activated, it breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate in solution. The bubbling action, or the release of oxygen molecules, loosens stain molecules from fibers so they can be rinsed away. Sodium Carbonate Sodium carbonate, or soda ash, is also sold separately as detergent. As one component of activated sodium percarbonate, it boosts the water’s pH, making it more alkaline, which neutralizes acids that may be produced during the cleaning process so the stain molecules can be rinsed away easily.

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 When properly dissolved, the pH of OxiClean can be as high as 11. Some items, such as carpeting, have warranty limitations or recommended pH cleaning of no more than 10.

Hydrogen Peroxide The hydrogen peroxide component of the activated sodium percarbonate works as a bleach and sanitizer. It breaks down into oxygen and water.

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 Surfactants

OxiClean contains low-sudsing surfactants to complete the cleaning process. These are non-ionic detergents, which are neutral and do not react to hard water ions.

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  references
  
      OxiClean: "Stain Solutions"
    
      Elmhurst College: "Detergents and Surfactants, Neutral or Non-Ionic Detergents"
    
      Church and Dwight Co., Inc.: "Ingredient Disclosure: Oxiclean All Purpose Cleaner – Cleaning Pod"
     Is this an emergency?
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the
National Library of Medicine’s list
of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.





  references
  
      OxiClean: "Stain Solutions"
    
      Elmhurst College: "Detergents and Surfactants, Neutral or Non-Ionic Detergents"
    
      Church and Dwight Co., Inc.: "Ingredient Disclosure: Oxiclean All Purpose Cleaner – Cleaning Pod"

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

OxiClean contains a number of ingredients you should be aware of, especially if you have young kids around.

Image Credit: Christian Horz/iStock/GettyImages

Sodium Percarbonate
Sodium Carbonate
Hydrogen Peroxide
Surfactants

How Bad Is It Really to Never Deep Clean Your House?

      OxiClean: "Stain Solutions"
    
      Elmhurst College: "Detergents and Surfactants, Neutral or Non-Ionic Detergents"
    
      Church and Dwight Co., Inc.: "Ingredient Disclosure: Oxiclean All Purpose Cleaner – Cleaning Pod"