Sodium percarbonate for washing and cleaning: Eco-friendly bleaching, disinfection, and stain removal.
|
|
Time to read 9 min
html
![Petra Doubková]()
Sodium percarbonate (PUER) is a white crystalline powder that has a wide range of uses in the household due to its bleaching and disinfecting properties. In warm water, it releases hydrogen peroxide ( active oxygen) , which oxidizes and removes stains. Most commonly, we encounter sodium percarbonate as an important component in laundry detergents, stain removers, and all-purpose cleaners. It is also used for disinfecting and cleaning surfaces.
The history of sodium percarbonate dates back to the early 20th century when it began to be used as a safer alternative to chlorine bleaches. Sodium percarbonate helps to whiten white laundry and effectively breaks down colored stains of organic origin (such as from blood, coffee, wine, grass, sweat), making it an ideal helper for washing. Effective only at higher temperatures (from 50 °C) , when combined with TAED , it works already at 30–40 °C .
It breaks down into soda, oxygen, and water when used, leaving no permanent toxic residues and is considered an eco-friendly bleach. Sodium percarbonate is gentler on fabrics than chlorine and can usually be used on colored clothing without fading the colors. It is especially popular for washing baby diapers and towels, where both whitening and disinfection of laundry without the use of chlorine are desired.
htmlStorage and safe use of sodium percarbonate
Store percarbonate in closed containers in a dry and cool place, out of reach of children.Due to its oxidizing properties, avoid storing it near easily flammable materials (such as paper, textiles, wood). Prepare the percarbonate solution and warm water in an open container and always fresh.
Do not mix percarbonate with other cleaning agents, especially not with acids or chlorine-based products, as this may release dangerous gases. Use it separately or according to recommended recipes (for example, together with TAED ). It is also possible to use it with EcoHaus laundry sheets .
Pay attention to safety when using, as sodium percarbonate is anirritant to humans. The powder can irritate the respiratory tract and cause coughing when inhaled, and contact with skin can cause redness. Use protective gloves when working with percarbonate and avoid contact of the powder with eyes. If it gets into the eyes, rinse them immediately with plenty of water. html
TIP Whitening and disinfecting laundry
Washing and whitening laundry is the most common use of percarbonate, which is added to the detergentto enhance the washing effect .
Just pour 1 to 2 tablespoons of sodium percarbonate into the washing machine's dispenser and add your detergent. Try EcoHaus laundry sheets instead of your usual powder or gel. Keep in mind that sodium percarbonate fully activates at temperatures above 50 °C, so set your washing machine to an appropriate program. You'll see that your laundry will come out beautifully white.
TIP Whitening and disinfecting laundry
Washing and whitening laundry is the most common use of sodium percarbonate, which is added to the detergentto enhance washing effectiveness .
Just pour 1 to 2 tablespoons of sodium percarbonate into the washing machine's dispenser and add your detergent.Try EcoHaus laundry sheets instead of your usual powder or gel. Keep in mind that sodium percarbonate fully activates at temperatures above 50 °C, so set your washing machine to the appropriate program. You'll see that your laundry will come out beautifully white.
TIP Sock washing
If you have heavily soiled laundry or a stain, soak it in hot water with percarbonate before washing and let it soak for a longer time. The recommended dosage is1 to 2 tablespoons of sodium percarbonate for 4 liters of warm water .
A common item that often suffers from ingrained dirt is socks.Soak them in the prepared solution, after soaking transfer to the washing machine and wash at 60 °C together with EcoHaus laundry paper . This combination works really great.
TIP How to wash sneakers and clean shoelaces
Dirty shoelaces are not a problem when you have sodium percarbonate. Soak them in a solution of percarbonate and warm water. In the meantime, mixbaking soda with dish soap and use the resulting mixture with a sponge to clean the sneakers. Then place them in a washing bag , put them in the washing machine and add laundry paper .
htmlTIP Washing socks
If you have heavily soiled laundry or a stain, soak it in hot water with percarbonate for a longer time before washing. The recommended dosage is1 to 2 tablespoons of sodium percarbonate in 4 liters of warm water .
A piece of laundry that often suffers from ingrained dirt is socks. Soak them in the prepared solution, after soaking transfer them to the washing machine and wash at 60 °C together with EcoHaus laundry paper . This combination works really great.
htmlTIP How to wash sneakers and clean shoelaces
Dirty shoelaces are no problem when you have sodium percarbonate. Soak them in a solution of percarbonate and warm water. In the meantime, mixbaking soda with dish soap and use the resulting mixture with a sponge to clean the sneakers. Then place them in a laundry bag , put them in the washing machine, and add laundry paper .
htmlTIP Removing stains from cleaning rags
Soak dirty rags in a bucket before washing, sprinkle with sodium percarbonate, and pour hot water over them. Just1 to 2 tablespoons of sodium percarbonate for 4 liters of water is enough. This process will remove dirt that the washing machine can't handle. Then just wash the rags in the washing machine and they will be like new again. What happens if you overdo it with the percarbonate, you'll see in the video.
htmlTIP How to clean mattresses
Mattresses surely give you headaches because they get stained with sweat over time. This mixture is easily manageable. Mix sodium percarbonate, hot water, and half of a laundry paper . Pour the mixture over the stain, cover it with a towel, and run an iron over it, which will help the mixture penetrate deeper into the fabric and effectively remove the stain.
TIP Sodium percarbonate in the kitchen
Prepare a cleaning solution for disinfecting and removing dried food residues from kitchen counters and work surfaces. Dissolve2 tablespoons of percarbonate in 1 liter of warm water and apply it to the surface with a sponge or cloth. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes and then wipe it off. Finally, rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water to ensure no cleaning product residues remain.
To clean and degreaseburnt cookware , soak the pot or baking dish in a sink with hot water, add 1 tablespoon of percarbonate, and let it soak. For removing limescale from kettles, it's better to use citric acid , but you can clean dirtyplastic bottlesperfectly with percarbonate.
TIP Bathroom cleaning
Sodium percarbonate is a great helper for cleaning toilets, bathtubs, sinks, and tiles. It helps remove dirt, limescale, and bacteria. Mix 2 tablespoons of sodium percarbonate with 1 liter of warm water and use the solution to wipe down surfaces.
For deeper cleaning and effective removal of mold from joints, hydrogen peroxide is a better choice due to its ability to penetrate deeper into porous materials.
TIP Drains
Got a clogged drain? Pour 1.5 liters of hot water down the drain, add 2 tablespoons of sodium percarbonate, and pour hot water again. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes. The percarbonate will break down the dirt, and your drain will be as good as new.
TIP Removing stains from cleaning rags
Before washing dirty rags, first place them in a bucket, sprinkle with sodium percarbonate, and pour hot water over them.Just 1 to 2 tablespoons of sodium percarbonate in4 liters of water . This process will remove dirt that your washing machine can't handle. Then just wash the rags in the washing machine and they'll be as good as new. What happens if you overdo it with the percarbonate, you'll see in the video.
TIP How to clean mattresses
Mattresses surely give you wrinkles on your forehead because they get stained with sweat over time. This mixture can easily handle that. Mix sodium percarbonate, hot water, and half of the laundry paper . Pour the mixture on the stain, cover it with a towel, and run an iron over it, which will help the mixture penetrate deeper into the fabric and effectively remove the stain.
htmlTIP Sodium percarbonate in the kitchen
Prepare a cleaning solution for disinfecting and removing dried food residues from kitchen counters and work surfaces. Mix 2 tablespoons of percarbonate in1 liter of warm water and apply to the surface with a sponge or cloth. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes and then wipe it off. Finally, rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water to ensure no cleaning agent residues remain.
To clean and degrease burnt cookware , soak the pot or baking dish in a sink with hot water, add1 tablespoon of percarbonate and let it soak. For removing limescale from kettles, citric acid is more suitable, but you can clean dirty plastic bottles perfectly with percarbonate. TIP Cleaning the bathroom Sodium percarbonate is a great helper for cleaning toilets, bathtubs, sinks, and tiles. It helps remove dirt, limescale, and bacteria. Mix 2 tablespoons of sodium percarbonate with 1 liter of warm water and use the solution to wipe down surfaces. For deeper cleaning and effective mold removal from joints, hydrogen peroxide is a better choice due to its ability to penetrate deeper into porous materials.
TIP Clogs
Got a clogged drain? Pour 1.5 liters of hot water down the drain, add 2 tablespoons of sodium percarbonate, and pour hot water again. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes. The percarbonate will break down the dirt, and your drain will be as good as new.
Risks of using sodium percarbonate: What materials can it damage?
Sodium percarbonate is not suitable for all materials. Silk and wool can be damaged by its action, as it disrupts their natural structure. Wool fibers can weaken, leading to brittleness, while silk loses its natural shine and softness.
Another risk group includes natural stones (such as marble and limestone ).Sodium percarbonate has an alkaline pH that can damage their surface. Similarly, polished woodand furniture can lose their original appearance and become dull after repeated exposure to percarbonate.
Some metal surfaces, especially aluminum, copper, brass, and galvanized materials , may oxidize and change color upon contact with percarbonate. Aluminum cookware or decorations should not be cleaned with a strong solution of percarbonate, as oxidation can cause darkening or even blackening of the surface.
If you're unsure whether using sodium percarbonate is appropriate, it's always better to test its effect on a small area first.
Gentle power for your home
Sodium percarbonate is an eco-friendly cleaning agent. Its advantage is that it is biodegradable , as it breaks down into environmentally harmless substances – water, oxygen, and sodium after use.It does not leave toxic compounds in wastewater, unlike chlorine bleaches.
It may be less known than baking soda , but its effects on stain removal and whitening laundry are great. You can also rely on it for cleaning the kitchen and bathroom.
htmlOur selection for you:
Petra Doubková and the entire EcoHaus team
We are a Czech brand created mainly by women and mothers with heart.At EcoHaus, it's not just about selling. Our mission is to transform everyday household care into a meaningful ritual – without chemicals, without waste, and without compromising health. We believe in prevention, which is why we help prevent skin problems through proper care and simple changes in daily life. We teach that eco-friendly cleaning is not a luxury for the chosen few. It's accessible, simple, and beautiful – and everyone can afford it.
We build on expertise, professionalism, and trust. We share proven tips, tricks, and guides that come not only from our experiences but also from the know-how of experts – chemists, dermatologists, and doctors. We collaborate with a sheltered workshop in Liberec and support fair working conditions.
We started from scratch with a student idea, without investors. Today, we help thousands of people keep their homes clean, healthy, and respectful of nature – simply, effectively, and with heart.
If you like our approach, keep following us – on the blog, in the newsletter, and on social media, we share practical tips, inspiration, and news from our world. We're glad you're here.
