Color Safe Beach Alternative?

[cmarie14]

I was just reading the back of my (rather expensive) color safe bleach, and the first ingredient is hydrogen peroxide.  After that come surfectants (?) and fragrance.

Would I be safe in assuming that I could just add (much cheaper) plain old hydrogen peroxide to my wash and get the same results, or am I playing with fire?

TIA! 

Comments

[marshmallowgoo]

nonono! I spilled peroxide on black pants and now have fun orange polka dotted dress pants!

[cmarie14]

That's what I was thinking, too. I didn't know how it could be in color-safe bleach, but there it was, first ingredient. Maybe that second ingredient (surfectants? WITW?) changes it so it doesn't ruin everything?

[marshmallowgoo]

I have no clue, but didn't people use peroxide to dye their hair?

spray and wash dual power! I've used this to get spaghetti, pizza, berries, poo, grass and tons more things out of my kids clothes.

[cmarie14]

oxyclean, too! But nothing seems to work lately. I don't know if you are reading just my comments or the entire post, but did I mention my hubby's propensity for giving Gabe extra messy food and no bib on the days I put him in a brand new outfit? :P

[swirley]

I might be wrong, but doesn't hydrogen peroxide actually weaken fibers over time?
I usually add white vinegar to my colors. Helps with really funky stuff too and don't worry your clothes won't smell like pickles or anything :p

[cmarie14]

So does bleach. :( I really just need to get the stains out of my son's colored clothes. Dear hubby thinks it's a wonderful game to give DS lots of messy food and forget a bib whenever he's wearing a brand spankin' new outfit. Especially my favorites. :P

[cactus_rs]

I've heard that a lemon juice/water mix and sun-drying is a good bleach alternative. I'll post the exact ratio when I find it.

Unfortunately, used too often it will fade colors. But bear it in mind for your whites.

[cmarie14]

Thanks. That's cheaper, too. Our neighborhood right now has regulations about clothing drying outside, but we are moving to the country in OH, and no ones going to care if I even prance around naked. :P

[marshmallowgoo]

where in ohio?

[cmarie14]

Geauga County, just east of Cleveland and right in the snow belt! :P It's absolutely beautiful up there, as you know. Much better than the long humid hot summers here in NC. Where are you?

[havocmangawip]

I am always amazed at what Zout and Greased Lightening get out. I only use it as a pretreater but WOW.

[danithesquirrel]

Are you sure that's not surfactant?

[cmarie14]

Could be....:P Do you know what it is?

[danithesquirrel]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant

It's used to decrease surface tension. They're used in most detergents, among other things.