How to Use Bleach in a Washing Machine

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Things You'll Need

  • Liquid chlorine bleach

  • Measuring cup

  • Bucket

  • Water

Bleach can help get your clothes cleaner.

Using bleach in a washing machine can be a challenging task. Basically, you will be using the bleach to help get your clothes in the wash clean. When you use the right type of bleach, you can get stains out of your items of clothing, even set in stains, and you can help disinfect the fabrics that are particularly dirty. When you use the bleach in the washing machine correctly, you won't have to worry about your clothes coming out damaged or stained from the bleach.

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Step 1

Check the care instructions on the tag of every item of clothing you're putting into the washing machine. Make sure it's safe to use bleach on each item before putting it in.

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Step 2

Consider the type of clothing you have if the label is no longer attached. Generally, you can use bleach on items with color-fast prints, t-shirts, undershirts, towels, sheets, pillowcases and white socks.

Step 3

Measure out the appropriate amount of liquid chlorine bleach. (This is less expensive than the powdered form of chlorine bleach and can be used to both remove stains and disinfect.) For front-loading washing machines, use ½ cup of bleach, or less. For other machines, use a full cup.

Step 4

Pour the liquid chlorine bleach into a small bucket of water. Mix it around thoroughly. Then, add it to the washing machine. This will help prevent the bleach from damaging your clothes.

Step 5

Run the washer through as normal. Allow the rinse cycle to complete fully or the bleach might not get removed completely from the clothes.

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