What is the Difference Between Chlorine and Non Chlorine Bleach?

The main difference between chlorine and non-chlorine bleach lies in their composition, effectiveness, and safety. Here are the key differences:

• Composition: Chlorine bleach is typically made of sodium hypochlorite, while non-chlorine bleach, also known as oxygen bleach, is made of hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate, or sodium percarbonate.
• Efficacy: Chlorine bleach is generally more effective at removing stains, whitening clothes, and disinfecting surfaces. Non-chlorine bleach is less effective in these aspects.
• Safety: Non-chlorine bleach is gentler, less toxic, and more environmentally friendly than chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach can be harsh on some dyes and fabric types, such as spandex, wool, silk, mohair, and leather.
• Care Labels: Clothing care labels that read "Only non-chlorine bleach" indicate that only oxygen or color-safe bleaches should be used. "Do Not Bleach" means no bleach should be used unless you check the fiber content and test for colorfastness with any bleach product.

In summary, chlorine bleach is more effective at removing stains and disinfecting surfaces, while non-chlorine bleach is gentler, less toxic, and more environmentally friendly. Always read and follow care labels and instructions on laundry product labels to ensure the correct product use.

Comparative Table: Chlorine vs Non Chlorine Bleach

Here is a table comparing the differences between chlorine and non-chlorine bleach:

Chlorine bleach contains sodium hypochlorite as its active ingredient, while non-chlorine bleach typically contains hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate, or sodium percarbonate as its active ingredients. Chlorine bleach is suitable for white cotton fabrics and other fabrics such as linen, rayon, polyester, nylon, and acrylic fibers. However, it is not safe for some dyes and fabric types, including spandex, wool, silk, and leather. Non-chlorine bleach, on the other hand, can be used with colored items and is suitable for cotton, polyester, nylon, acrylic, rayon, and spandex.