I was surprised to discover that OxiClean does not contain magical, stain-removing fairy dust. What it does contain is a powdered version of hydrogen peroxide and good, old-fashioned washing soda. This combination is also known and referred to as Oxygen Bleach. (To differentiate it from chlorine bleach.)
Ingredients1/2 cup washing soda.1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide 3%, this is the stuff you find in most grocery stores.
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1/2 cup washing soda.
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1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide 3%, this is the stuff you find in most grocery stores.
Want more easy to make, inexpensive cleaning solutions? See all our Life Hacks here.
Have you met washing soda? Your grandma probably had a box in her cupboard. Those of us who can’t tolerate the additives in “new and improved” cleaning supplies are still fans. You should be able to find at least one chain store in your area that carries it, and it’s normally found in the laundry aisle, right next to the 20 Mule Team Borax. (Grab some of that, too, although you won’t need it today. It’s good for a number of general purpose cleaning uses.)
Some recipes you’ll find by googling this call for baking soda. Although Baking Soda and Washing Soda are chemically related, they are not the same. To match the chemical composition of the expensive stuff, you want washing soda. While you may have to try harder to find Washing Soda, it is cheaper than baking soda. It can also be used, alone, as a laundry booster.
This formula DOES NOT HOLD, so mix it when you are about to use it. The quantities below are for a bulk batch, which was what I needed for cleaning my basement carpet. (I applied directly to the carpet, let rest, and then sucked it up with my carpet cleaner.)
My custom blend is as follows: Print
How to Make Homemade Oxyclean Powder | Color Safe Bleach for Pennies
FAQ
How can I make my own OxiClean?
Does baking soda work as well as OxiClean?
What is the active ingredient in OxiClean powder?
Is Borax better than OxiClean?
How do you make OxyClean?
You can also make it as a laundry booster as well. Pour the water, hydrogen peroxide, and washing soda into a spray bottle. If you need to, use a funnel to help guide the ingredients into the bottle. Homemade OxyClean does not last a long time. It loses it’s effectiveness after 6 hours. Because of this, it’s better to make small batches at a time.
How do you use OxiClean?
This fast and easy homemade cleaner works like Oxiclean with even simpler ingredients. Works as a spray or a paste for tough stains. Combine the very warm or hot water and the washing soda and mix until dissolved. Mix in a spray bottle for a liquid version, or in a bowl if using it as a paste. Add the hydrogen peroxide.
How do you make homemade laundry cleaner?
You can make homemade cleaner using a few typical household products, a funnel, and an empty squirt bottle. You can also make it as a laundry booster as well. Pour the water, hydrogen peroxide, and washing soda into a spray bottle. If you need to, use a funnel to help guide the ingredients into the bottle.
What is OxiClean made of?
So to break this down in simple terms OxiClean is mostly made of sodium percarbonate. Sodium percarbonate is made when you mix sodium carbonate (washing soda) and hydrogen peroxide. When the sodium percarbonate is mixed with hot water it separates back into sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide.