How to whiten clothes, linens and fingernails with Oxiclean. Yep. It does it all and this little experiment with a sweaty pillowcase will show you just how well it works.
What you are witnessing is an illusion. Like heat waves on the pavement, a rigged carnival game or any 25 year old girl's Instagram profile pic.
The pillow case you're looking at looks like a thing of beauty, blowing in the breeze in a tranquil backyard. Gathering up the heat of the day, drying to a fresh, crisp swath of fabric ready for a good night's sleep.
It is not.
It is a horror.
Years ago THAT was the fella's pillow case. The fella is my ex boyfriend/husband/partner whatever you want to call him. And he head sweated on that pillowcase for years. A beautiful 100% handmade linen pillow case from Rough Linen stained with 2 years worth of head sweat, drool and nightmares. After 2 years my pillow case on the other hand had remained clean and white. Like the pillowcase of an angel.
I know it's hard to believe judging by the picture above but believe me. That pillow case was a mess in that photo. The problem with my particular front load washer is the fact that you can't use bleach in it. Ever. Also, you should never use bleach on linen.
Also bleach has a tendency to yellow clothes over time. In fact because of this whole front load washer not accepting bleach I started using this solution to keep my white facecloths clean (which as you'll see if you read the post works incredibly well).
That left me with quite a dilemma. So I did a little research (as I am want to do) and discovered that Oxiclean will whiten whites, but isn't the same as bleach. It's a chlorine free bleaching agent. It whitens by some kind of magical oxygenating process.
The active ingredient in Oxiclean is actually sodium percarbonate, (a sort of powdered form of hydrogen peroxide). Water is what activates it, releasing oxygen and then the product decomposes into water and oxygen.
Oxiclean also has a few other things like filler and soda ash, but the real worker in the situation is the sodium percarbonate, which you can buy on Amazon but at the time of writing this post it's sold out. If you feel like ordering it and experimenting try this link to see if it's become available again.
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Because of all of these things (no chlorine, environmentally friendly, gentle but effective) it can be used safely on linen.
So I bought some Oxiclean with absolutely NO hopes of it actually working. Because let's face it, most products that claim to do something amazing usually do very little other than produce very convincing television commercials.
This is NOT a paid post. Nobody asked me to do a post on the miracle of Oxiclean. I wish they had. Because I will now and forever sing the praises of Oxiclean to anyone who will listen.
Behold the miracle of Oxiclean ... I soaked the left side of the pillow overnight, leaving the other half of the pillowcase out of the solution. That way I would know EXACTLY how much the product worked.
Holy crap is right! I didn't do any magical lighting trick, or Photoshop shenanigans. It is not an illusion. THAT is the difference Oxiclean made on the head sweat pillowcase.
Which means all those white tee shirts with yellow arm pits you own aren't a lost cause. There's another Oxiclean now, Oxiclean White Revive which I haven't tried because the regular Oxiclean works for me.
In the past few years I've even started using it to clean my hands when they're a disaster and stained after weeks of gardening. I just mix a tiny bit up in some water, soak my fingers in it for a minute then scrub them with a nail brush.
This is DEFINITELY an off label use for Oxiclean and since it's basically powdered hydrogen peroxide you probably don't want to soak your hands very long, but it works to remove soil stains around nails and nail beds which are almost impossible to get clean otherwise.
Oxiclean for linens, clothes and hands ... so you too can look like the angel you are. Or even better, you can look like the angel you aren't.
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Suzan
I once used Oxyclean (as an experiment because I was too cheap to buy new lampshades) on at least 20 years worth of nicotine and dust on two linen lampshades that came from my boyfriend's auntie's estate. I soaked them in the washtub for about half a day each. To my amazement, they came out absolutely spotless. I have been an Oxyclean fanatic ever since.
Laura Bee
Wierd - I'm a member of a frugal mommy group on FB & someone posted about Oxiclean last night. That's a double endorsement! Now I really need some - I have a sweater & some old handmade sheets from my nana that are getting icky. That's why I left them in the closet for 8 years before finally using them. Thanks!
mimiindublin
when I read "NO hopes of it actually working", then "this is NOT a paid post", I got hopeful, cos it's exactly the same story in this house, and our bed looks like the pillow cases are 1 white, 1 yellow/grey! cos hubby ready loads of newspapers, so add ink to the mix.
Off to buy oxiclean! Hope they sell it here, Xx
Alisha
Ahhh Oxyclean. Also amazing for cleaning grout, it took blood stains out of my microfibre couch and it's great for getting hard water stains out of the tub. I dont recommend however making a paste to soak small stains. The thermal reaction it causes will suck the color right out of the fabric, exactly like bleaching. Make sure you have a good water ratio for fabrics.
Leena
I've used bleach (chlorine) on linen and it has worked. It does not work as well for linen as for cotton but still it works. Why shouldn't it been used? (but I've only used it once or twice, because I hate the smell)
Anyway thanks for the info about the oxiclean.
Karen
Leena - Bleach will break down the fibres of linen and it will turn the linen yellow. ~ karen!
Donna Huebsch
Just used Oxiclean today to remove a big grease stain from the back of my daughter's khakis - worked fantastic! We usually keep it in the house at all times.
Sally
See? So good to know, because I would never believe the ads either. Now I'm convinced. Thanks!
Stephanie Hobson
I pinned this but the picture is not very pretty. You need to step up your Pinterest game girl. You're supposed to make a very bright, attractive image specifically for Pinterest, you know? lol
Oh, and I needed this information, not just for my husband but for me too. It's not only men who sweat at night; it's also "women of a certain age".
Tricia Rose
Women don't seem to turn things yellow with quite the same gusto though. I blame everything on testosterone.
Jcrn
I can verify Oxiclean works like magic. I raised 3 boys and would have spent a fortune on their clothes without Oxyclean. It has removed everything from ground-in grass stains to blood.
Once, one of our kids even came in the house with a pair of brand new khakis covered in wet, soppy mud and some kind of oil. Those pants were part of a school uniform and he wasn't even supposed to be playing outside in them.
There was a bunch of yelling, partly because he broke the rules but also because I thought those new pants were history, pants that were the last ones in the store left in his size.
But they looked fine after the Oxyclean. I did soak them for an hour in the Oxyclean and water before putting them through a complete laundry cycle.
Christina
P.S. Karen, thank you for sharing such a painful time in your life with such honesty, respect, and - now, just starting - humor. I think of you often, which is maybe odd since we've never met, but, well, maybe it will help to know you're in my thoughts.
Karen
Thanks Christina. And yes, it does! ~ karen
Christina
I've gotten similar exciting results with a homemade mixture of 2 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part dish detergent. Scrub it in with an old toothbrush and watch the [sweat stain / grease spot / mysterious brown spot your pet probably left] disappear. Then rinse! Not that Oxyclean isn't great; it's just that I was able to do this with stuff I already had.
Nancy
I always use Dawn to get even my set-in stains out.
That is a lot of Oxiclean you used, maybe I will try to whiten my whites again and not be so stingy.
Cathy
Muff, I, too have been humming that song!
Karen, what is "rough linen" and does it require a bank loan?
Kara
Cathy - I can't speak for Karen, of course, but Rough Linen is just the most amazing linens company ever! :) http://roughlinen.com.
The sheets are expensive, but I honestly don't plan to ever buy another set. (ok, maybe some in natural as well as white, but not because I need to!)
Karen
Its funny you say that Kara ... I never thought of it that way, but you're right. It never even occurred to me that I'd ever buy another set of sheets. This is it for me! Love them and REALLY love the duvet cover. ~ karen!
Erin
From what I've read it is solid hydrogen peroxide but there are more details at the link below. It works but I find it works best as a soak. Stupid modern washing machines between the he liquid detergent, lack of bleach and minimal water I am thinking doing so much hand washing I may as well return to a rock at the river method.
http://happyreturnz.blogspot.ca/2012/12/how-oxiclean-works.html
Kara
Oh and by the way, I'm already a big Oxyclean fan, so knowing that I can use it on my Rough Linen stuff makes me very very happy!~
SeaDee
Love that Oxiclean! It is a miracle! I've also use Dawn dish soap to get oily food stains out of clothes. I'm messy.
Leslie
Yep! Dawn is great on food and oily stains!
Robert
I have a small spray bottle in which I have Dawn it. I used to use it as a spot remover. I would spray the spot let it stand a while then wash it. Worked very good. Now all I use is Oxiclean.
Kara
I'm really happy to see this. I just ordered my first set of sheets from Rough Linen and I love them. The only thing that has been slightly worrying me is that over the years all of my white sheets and pillow cases have become somewhat dingy and yellowed and I know you're not supposed to use regular chlorine bleach on the linen sheets. I was kind of dreading the day when I realized my lovely, expensive, linen sheets were yellowed and icky.
So exactly how much Oxyclean did you use and how long did you soak the case for?
Karen
Kara - Since I did this post I did my whole sheet set! He was a really sweaty person. For this experiment I soaked the pillowcase overnight in my bathroom sink. I filled the sink halfway and put in around 3 scoops of Oxiclean. For the whole sheets I put them in the bathtub with just enough water to cover them and just dumped a bunch of Oxiclean in, LOL. Probably half a container! From hereon in, I'll just add the Oxiclean every time I wash them so soaking won't be necessary. ~ karen!
Patti
THIS IS AWESOME!
I made the decision to go with nice pure, white, crisp bed linens last year and they're looking dingy - I was panicking! I will be picking up Oxy Clean stat - seriously - thanks for sharing, Karen!
Karen
You're welcome! I figured people would want to know, LOL. ~ karen!
Lynne
I have a big problem with my white linens (and clothes, if the truth be known) because my skin is very oily. I had the opposite experience to yours Karen. My ex's pillow cover was practically pristine while my own was distressingly and increasingly yellowed. Blech. No amount of chlorine bleach would budge that stain.
I've never tried the Oxyclean route - but recently I tried something I'd seen in a magazine. I added about a quarter cup of baking soda to my wash cycle (along with the washing powder) and about 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle (I don't use softener since all my clothing and bed linen is cotton).
You could have knocked me over with a feather - my previously horrendously yellow pillow protectors, pillow covers and duvet cover were restored to their original whiteness. I don't know how much Oxyclean costs - but since the baking soda and vinegar are already pantry staples it was definitely a cheap and successful option.
Robert
If I have material that is stained or dingy I put Tide and Oxiclean in the washer, as per instructions, turn it, on add my material. I let it agitate for a couple of minutes then turn it off, let it soak for a while then turn it on for a while, turn it off and let it soak depending on how dingy the material is.
SuzanneLH
I do the same thing Robert. Gets disgusting kitchen towels spot free. Sometimes soak for as long as a day.
However, I use Biz. Same contents plus enzymes. Been around forever, and cheaper.
shauna
Yup - Oxiclean is great. I think it uses "enzyme action" - the same thing your stomach uses to digest food (sort of). Anyway, glad you found it!
They should pay you - or at least send you a year's supply of OxiClean!
Muff
Could this be a new take on "Wash that man right out of my hair"? I have had similar results with oxiclean over the years - glad it worked on this one (it would be a great shame to have to chuck a perfectly good linen pillowcase because it was that icky.)
Marti
I waited up for pit laundry reports? Geez, I was hoping for a new soup recipe or something spectacular home cure involving homegrown scary tomato plants, outdated children's toys and clothespins.
On the upside, now I'm glad not to have met someone who let his pillowcase get so filthy!
JBB
Mmm... OxyClean soup. So fizzy and delightfu...ACK! *thud*
Sharon
hahaha good one.
sarah
Hey Karen! Great post. I love Oxyclean. Fab stuff and am hoping to purchase a 'rough linen'sheet in the very near future!! P.S. did you know that, that very cool Art store on Hamilton , Mixed Media, carries Linen Canvas!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sarah
Karen
No, I didn't know that! I'm actually just reading a book that a friend got me from that store! ~ karen
sarah
Yup! The canvas is $14/yard ( I think) and when you wash it (with Oxyclean!) it goes all soft and lovely, Plus major shrinkage of course! Very wide, they have an entire bolt! Perhaps it would make a good flat sheet??!! Sarah