Sodium percarbonate is highly effective for sterilization and bleaching, earning it a spot alongside baking soda and citric acid as one of the top three cleaning agents. While it’s true that sodium percarbonate is effective in removing water stains and stubborn grime, it’s important to use it cautiously. Therefore, it is crucial to understand its proper usage and always exercise caution to prevent potential risks.
Is Sodium percarbonate a Natural Cleaner?
Sodium percarbonate, often used as a detergent or bleaching agent, is commonly considered a natural cleaner. However, it’s a synthetically produced compound that combines hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate. When dissolved in water, it separates into two components, neither polluting the environment nor leading to its reputation as a natural cleaner.
Can It Be Considered a Natural Cleaner?
Many YouTube channels and social media platforms introduce sodium percarbonate as a natural cleaner, fostering a strong belief that it is harmless to the human body. However, experts warn that most sodium percarbonate sold in markets is unnatural. It’s usually made by adding hydrogen peroxide to sodium carbonate to form a crystalline solid, so calling it natural is inappropriate.
Outstanding Bleaching Effects
When washing with tap water, the magnesium and calcium can reduce its cleaning power. Sodium percarbonate, however, can remove these elements, thus enhancing washing efficiency. When sodium percarbonate dissolves in water, it creates bubbles that absorb dust and remove stains, making it highly effective for laundry. However, be careful when using it on colored clothes, as it can fade the colors.
Helps with Sterilization
The bubbles formed when sodium percarbonate dissolves in water have oxidative properties that kill bacteria. This makes it great for cleaning areas with lots of bacteria, like bathrooms, and effectively removes mold. It’s also good at eliminating body odor from clothes. Body odor is acidic, so using the alkaline sodium percarbonate neutralizes the acid, eliminating the smell.
How to Use Sodium Percarbonate
When using sodium percarbonate, avoid combining it with neutral detergents, as this neutralizes the alkaline component and reduces its cleaning power. Since it doesn’t dissolve well in cold water, use it with warm water above 40℃. However, using it with water hotter than 60℃ is not recommended as it can damage the clothes. If the clothes are heavily soiled, it’s recommended to pre-soak them in warm water with sodium percarbonate for about 10-20 minutes before washing.
Avoid Using Baking Soda
Although combining baking soda and sodium percarbonate might seem to increase cleaning power, they do not work well together. Baking soda is mildly alkaline, while sodium percarbonate is strongly alkaline. When both dissolve in water, the cleaning power actually decreases. When sodium percarbonate dissolves in water, it releases oxygen that has bleaching, sterilizing, and odor-removing effects. But this oxygen can recombine with baking soda and disappear.
Be Careful with Your Eyes
If the alkaline component gets into your eyes, you must wash it immediately. If sodium percarbonate gets in your eyes, rinse them several times with running water. If redness, foreign body sensation, or pain persists after washing, you should immediately visit an ophthalmologist. The eyes are a very delicate, so it’s most important to seek medical treatment immediately.
What Gas Does It Release When Mixed with Hot Water?
When mixed with hot water, sodium percarbonate releases hydrogen peroxide and carbon dioxide. If you inhale this gas, you might feel short of breath because of the hydrogen peroxide. If you inhale a lot of this gas, it can act as an oxidizer and damage your skin and respiratory system. Therefore, always wear a mask and open a window when cleaning with sodium percarbonate.
How Does It Compare to Bleach?
Compared to bleach, bleach is classified as a deadly poison gas, while hydrogen peroxide is less toxic but still significantly harmful. People often describe sodium percarbonate as being safer than bleach, but inhaling either can be detrimental to the body.
How to Use It More Safely?
To use sodium percarbonate more safely, avoid using it in a closed space, and always wear a mask or ensure proper ventilation. Also, depending on the water temperature you’re using, if you close the lid of the container you’re cleaning, carbon dioxide continues to be released, increasing pressure and potentially causing the lid to pop off. Therefore, when cleaning items like tumblers, it’s dangerous to close the lid and seal the container, so avoid doing so.
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