Bleach
Bleach
is
normally
used
to
whiten
and
brighten
laundary
products
and
also
for
removing
stains
and
soil.
Bleach
acts
via
a
process
of
oxidation.
It
breaks
the
soil
into
soluble
particles,
resulting
in
easy
washing
with
the
use
of
detergents.
There
are
two
types
of
bleach:
Chlorine
Bleach
-
Chlorine
bleaches
are
the
most
powerful
type
and
is
a
5.25%
solution
of
sodium
hypochloride.
It
must
be
diluted
with
water
for
safe
use
on
fabrics.
The
liquid
version
is
the
most
common.
A
dry
form
is
also
available.
It
also
acts
as
a
disinfectant
on
bacteria
and
viruses.
Liquid
chlorine
bleach
has
a
limited
shelf
life.
If
more
than
six
months
old,
it
may
have
no
effect
on
stains,
and
should
be
replaced.
All-Fabric
Bleach
-
All-Fabric
Bleach
is
usually
known
as
safe
for
all
fabrics
and
colors.
It
works
more
slowly
than
chlorine
bleach
and
may
contain
sodium
perborate
or
sodium
precarbonate.
Important:
-
Before
using
bleach,
always
check
for
color
fastness
first
by
following
instructions
on
the
container
-
Read
and
follow
the
care
instructions
and
any
warnings
on
the
fabric
care
label
regarding
the
use
of
bleach.
-
Do
not
use
bleach
on
silk,
acetate,
wool,
spandex,
polypropylene
foam,
some
flame
retardant
fabrics,
or
rubber,
or
with
rubber
or
spandex
elastic.
-
Repeated
us
can
weaken
cellulosic
fibers.
-
Never
pour
full-strength
bleach
into
a
washer
load.
-Never
mix
bleach
with
ammonia
.
Color
Removers
Color
removers
can
be
used
to
remove
color
stains
or
to
simply
remove
any
color.
However,
prints
and
some
dyes
canīt
be
completely
removed.
It
may
be
possible,
in
some
cases,
to
remove
enough
color
to
permit
redyeing
to
another
color.
Color
removers
can
also
help
to
remove
brown
rust
stains
from
clothes,
to
whiten
dingy
gray
colors.
Caution:
Color
removers
will
work
to
strip
away
all
colors.
Therefore,
they
are
usually
used
on
white
fabrics
or
when
all
fabric
color
is
to
be
removed.
Read
product
package
carefully
before
purchasing
for
proper
usage.
Detergents
Detergent
is
a
common
laundary
product
and
is
used
to
help
remove
soils
and
stains.
They
perform
well
in
a
broad
range
of
water
hardness
levels.
They
have,
hence,
replaced
soap
as
the
cleaning
agent
of
choice.
Detergents
are
available
in
both
granule
and
liquid
forms.
It
is
advisable
to
follow
the
package
directions
for
proper
use.
Granules
are
effective
for
heavily
soiled
clothes
to
lightly
soiled
delicate
washable
items.
Heavy-duty
liquid
detergents
can
be
used
for
general
laundry
needs,
but
are
especially
good
for
removing
food,
oil,
and
grease
stains
from
clothes.
Liquid
detergents
dissolve
easily
regardless
of
the
water
temperature.
Most
detergents
contain
enzymes
to
assist
in
removing
food
stains,
i.e.
amylase
for
starch,
protease
for
proteins,
and
lipase
for
fats.
Most
detergents
today
contain
few
or
no
phosphates.
Although
phosphates
can
boost
cleaning,
local
laws
often
prohibit
phosphates
for
environmental
reasons.
Detergent
Boosters
Boosters
essentially
condition
the
water
to
optimize
the
detergentīs
cleaning
action.
These
products
are
especially
effective
in
hard
water
and
are
used
to
enhance
the
cleaning
power
of
the
detergent.
They
should
be
used
as
per
the
recommended
amount
of
detergent
for
a
specific
size
of
wash
load.
Disinfectants
Chlorine
bleach
is
the
most
common
disinfectant.
Disinfectants
are
normally
used
while
washing
clothes
in
a
machine.
It
is
used
to
kill
and
prevent
the
spread
of
germs
from
clothes
of
the
sick,
or
to
wash
clothes
that
have
become
contaminated
from
raw
sewage,
such
as
flood-soiled
items.
Dry
Cleaning
Fluid
Dry
Cleaning
fluid
is
a
chemical
product
normally
used
by
commerical
dry
cleaners,
and
also
available
for
purchase
over-the-counter.
The
fluid
is
primarily
used
as
a
solvent
to
dissolve
certain
stains
on
both
washable
and
dry-cleanable
fabrics.
Caution:
Dry
cleaning
fluid
is
extremely
toxic.
Read
and
follow
the
instructions
and
warnings
on
the
product
label
regarding
handling,
ventilation,
and
flammability.
Never
use
in
the
washing
machine
or
dryer.
Dyes
Dyes
are
liquid
coloring
matter
which
is
used
to
add
or
alter
the
color
or
hue
of
a
fabric.
There
are
both
commercial
and
natural
dyes
available
in
the
market
used
for
dyeing
fabrics.
Read
product
package
before
purchasing
to
verify
product
is
appropriate
for
your
fabric/fiber
content,
and
for
directions
on
proper
useag
Enzyme
Presoak
Products
Enzyme
presoak
products
are
used
to
break
down
protein
stains
like
grass,
blood,
and
hard
stains,
so
that
they
can
more
effectively
be
removed
by
regular
detergents.
Most
detergents
also
contain
enzymes.
The
cellulose
enzyme
is
claimed
to
remove
fuzzy
surface
fibers
and
pills
from
the
ends
of
cellulosic
fibers
and
fabrics
(i.e.
cotton,
linen,
ramie,
washable
rayon,
washable
acetate,
and
lyocell).
Fabric
Finishing
(Sizing)
Fabric
finishes
and
sizings
available
in
spray
form,
are
developed
specifically
for
fabrics
made
from
manufactured
fibers,
since
these
products
can
be
used
with
the
lower
ironing
temperatures
recommended
for
these
fabrics.
These
products
add
body
to
the
fabric,
create
soil
resistance,
make
ironing
easier,
and
provide
for
better
soil
removal
in
the
wash.
Fabric
Freshners
It
is
a
fabric
treatment
product,
usually
available
in
the
form
of
a
spray,
used
to
provide
a
fresh
fragrance
or
mask
unpleasant
odors.
Fabric
Softeners
These
products
make
fabrics
softer
and
fluffier,
and
they
also
decrease
static
cling.
Other
less
obvious
benefits
include
the
reduction
of
drying
time
and
the
reduction
of
wrinkling,
which
makes
ironing
easier.
Available
both
in
the
liquid
form
for
use
in
the
final
rinse
stage
of
the
wash
and
as
packets
and
dryer
sheets
for
use
in
the
dryer.
Caution
:
Fabric
softeners
can
reduce
the
effectiveness
of
flame
retardancy
on
fabrics,
reduce
the
absorbency
of
cotton
towels,
and
can
inhibit
the
moisture
management
characteristics
of
high
performance
fabrics
used
in
active
sportswear.
Presoak
Products
Products
that
can
be
used
for
pre-soaking
garments
generally
include
detergents,
soaps,
and
other
laundry
additives.
Soaking
helps
the
fabric
to
loosen
heavy
soils.
A
product
containing
enzymes
work
well
in
removing
protein-based
stains.
A
typical
soaking
time
is
about
30
minutes.
Follow
the
label
directions
for
appropriate
soaking
times.
Warning:
Garments
containing
spandex
should
be
soaked
separately
and
for
a
shorter
time
period
as
yellowing
can
occur
if
soaked
too
long.
Pretreatment
Products
Pretreatment
products
are
solvent-based
(either
petroleum
or
detergent
based),
while
laundry
detergents
are
surfactant-based.
Pretreatment
products
work
well
especially
for
removing
oil-based
stains
from
such
manufactured
fabrics
as
polyester,
and
are
effective
on
old
or
set
stains.
These
products
are
used
to
pretreat
stains
before
laundering.
Pretreatment
products
are
available
as
aerosols,
pump
sprays,
sticks,
and
liquids.
Rust
Remover
Rust
remover
helps
remove
rust
stains
from
washable
fabrics
and
other
washable
surfaces.
These
products
are
composed
of
reducing
agents
or
acid
ingredients,
and
are
available
in
liquid,
powder,
or
gel
form.
Caution:
Carefully
read
and
follow
instructions
on
handling
and
useage.
Rust
removers
that
contain
hydrofluoric
acid
are
extremely
toxic,
can
burn
the
skin,
and
will
damage
the
porclain
finish
on
appliances
and
sinks.
Stain
Remover
Stain
remover
products
are
generally
used
to
assist
in
the
removal
of
a
small
stained
area
on
washable
fabrics.
There
are
some
stain
removers
available
in
the
market,
which
work
on
one
common
group
of
stains,
such
as
grease,
protein,
dye,
or
tannin
stains.
There
are
also
products
available
for
treating
a
particular
type
of
stain,
such
as
adhesives,
or
ink
stains.
Starch
Starch
is
used
to
add
body
to
the
fabric.
It
also
creates
soil
resistance
and
makes
a
fabric
crisp,
making
ironing
easier.
Starch
works
best
on
100%
cotton
and
cotton
blends.
Water
Softeners
Hard
water
normally
withers
the
quality
of
fabric.
Water
softeners
work
on
the
chemical
components
present
in
hard
water.
By
removing
or
inactivating
calcium
and
magnesium
ions,
the
water
is
made
softer
and
a
detergent's
cleaning
action
is
enhanced.
Whiteners
Whiteners
are
also
referred
to
as
bluings,
brighteners,
or
optical
brighteners.
These
agents
are
used
by
the
detergent
industry
to
create
a
visual
whitening
or
brightening
effect
on
fabric.
The
effectiveness
of
the
whiteners
varies
with
the
type
of
fabric
and
the
concentration
in
the
wash
water.
Whiteners
are
contained
in
all
purpose
soaps
and
detergents,
and
some
light
duty
laundry
aid
products.
