How to Bleach Cotton

Chlorine bleach is a fixture in most laundry rooms.

On supermarket shelves, the term "bleach" refers most often to liquid chlorine whitening agents, such as those sold by Purex and Clorox. These agents are very effective against cotton fabric, useful in both removing stains and dyes. The main issue for bleaching cotton is that sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in chlorine bleaches, is a harsh chemical. Using too much bleach can damage the very cotton fibers you wish to whiten.

Things You'll Need

• Chlorine bleach
• Washing machine or tub
• Measuring cup
• Stirring stick or rod
• Laundry basket
• Hydrogen peroxide (discharging dye only)
• Rubber gloves (discharging dye only)
• Safety goggles (discharging dye only)

Instructions

1. Place the cotton fabric in either the washing machine or tub. If you are discharging dye with bleach, use a tub for more control over the results. Activate the machine at the desired cotton-safe setting or fill the tub with enough warm water to immerse the cotton items.

2. Measure the amount of bleach carefully in a cup or other container. For most top-loading washing machines, use less than 1 cup of bleach, and for most front-loading machines, use less than 1/2 cup. For the hand-washing of stains, measure out 1 tablespoon per gallon of water. For removing dye, use one part bleach for five parts water.

3. Pour in the bleach. Most front-loading washing machine have automatic dispenser, so pour the bleach into the feeding tray as directed by the manufacturer. Some top-loading machines have this feature as well, but for many top-loading machines and all tubs, pour the bleach into the water, and not directly on the cotton fabric, once the tub or machine is full of water.

4. Stir the fabric with a stick or pole for at least 10 minutes if you are using a tub, so as to spread the bleach evenly and maximize contact with the air. If you are using a washing machine, allow the machine to work normally.

5. Rinse the cotton after bleaching. If you use a tub, transfer the bleached fabric to a basket, rinse the tub, refill it with water, dunk the cotton fabric and stir it for at least 10 minutes. Machines rinse automatically. Continue to Step 6 only if you are discharging dye.

6. Put the cotton fabric back in the basket, empty the tub and refill it with water. Add one part of hydrogen peroxide per 10 parts of water and stir. Dunk the cotton into this solution to neutralize the extra bleach used in removing dye. Stir the fabric for at least 10 minutes before removing it.

Tips & Warnings

• Regular liquid bleaches, such as Clorox's regular bleach, have a sodium hypochlorite content of roughly 6 percent. Some bleaches, however, are more concentrated and have a higher level of this active ingredient. Check the label of your bleach and adjust the amount of bleach used downwards if necessary.

• Using too much bleach corrodes cotton fibers, as illustrated by the process for discharging dye. Removing dye from cotton requires a stronger bleach solution than removing stains, so much so that the process demands the extra step of neutralizing the bleach at the end. If you over-bleach your cotton clothes and other textiles, merely rinsing the fabric in water will not be enough to prevent damage.

• Wear rubber gloves and safety goggles when discharging dye from clothing.

References

• New Mexico State University; Getting Clothes Clean; Susan Wright; 2001
• Ohio State University: Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal
• Eastern Michigan University: Discharging Dye with Bleach
• Clorox Bleach Material Data Safety Sheet