3 Ingredient Bleach Alternative: Homemade, Non-Toxic and Frugal

It’s about time for me to use a bleach alternative!

I must make a confession. In our home, we’ve gone non-toxic in so many areas: label-reading, water collection barrels, passive solar and solar collectors, transitioning to organic pasture and fields, raising chickens and some of our own food, safe household products…uh…well…hm, that is except for bleach. You see, I didn’t think I could get my wash load (especially dirty wash cloths and work clothes) really clean (think germ-free) without it.

Updated 4/2020 for coronavirus: Hydrogen Peroxide
According to the CDC, household hydrogen peroxide is effective in deactivating rhinovirus, the virus that causes the common cold, within 6 to 8 minutes of exposure. Rhinovirus is more difficult to destroy than coronaviruses, so hydrogen peroxide should be able to break down the coronavirus in less time. (source)

USDA text on safety: “Peracetic acid’s primary use in food processing and handling is as a sanitizer for food, contact surfaces, and as a disinfectant for fruits, vegetables, meat, and eggs (Evans, 2000). Other uses of PAA include … suppressing odor, and stripping biofilms from food contact surfaces.” (source)

The EPA lists hydrogen peroxide for institutional and healthcare use in their List of Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2.

It took me forever to switch from bleach to my alternative. You might just say I had this fixation that only bleach would do, but I was dealing with so many allergies and chemical sensitivities that it just made sense. I’m so glad I did!

We all expect to produce a nice and fresh smelling, stain-free laundry. It is sad, but it is true that most of the big producers like P&G and Unilever are using harsh, toxic chemicals in order to meet our demands. However, bleach is something that was traditionally used even when I was a girl in the 50s, so I overlooked it for some time.

Most people know by now that bleach is a poison, but it is still in most homes. The side effects include eye, nose, throat, lung, and skin irritation, and it usually tops the list for household poisons. (In case your mom didn’t tell you, it’s a very bad idea to mix bleach and ammonia. The gas that results from these two chemicals is such a strong poison; it was used in the past as a chemical warfare agent.)

So when I saw a simple recipe to make a bleach alternative on Andrea’s blog {Frugally Sustainable}, I decided to check it out. I want to share it with you; now none of us have to make ourselves sick from using chlorine bleach.

Note: In their purest and most concentrated forms, mixed vinegar and hydrogen peroxide form a compound called Peracetic acid according to the USDA. It has been used in a diluted form to disinfect raw chicken, eggs, and organic food for many years with no toxicity. This straightforward recipe utilizes a very diluted form of Peracetic acid and our family has used it without harmful effects, plus the rinse cycle would remove it fully. Research this, learn and determine what is best for you and your family.

Homemade Bleach Alternative

Ingredients to make a gallon:

• Water to almost fill a gallon jug. Leave enough space to add the next 2 ingredients:

• ½ cup white vinegar or lemon juice

• 1 1/2 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide

• 10 to 20 drops lemon or lemongrass essential oils (optional/omit if using lemon juice)

Note: this is NOT a pure form of peracetic acid. It is very dilute, thus it is not any longer considered peracetic acid.

Directions To Make a Gallon of Bleach Alternative

1. Simply pour the above measurements of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar into the gallon jug, then top it up with water.

2. Cap and store. It is that simple.

I put it in the ‘bleach’ cup of my newer model or right into the wash water in my older model Maytag in the shop.

I use this with my regular laundry soap, Nellie’s Laundry Soda, and I have used it for over 10 years! I love it!

OR to make 2 cups (does 2 loads) as a trial (which is what I did the first time). Use:

• 2 cups water

• 1 Tbsp. vinegar

• 3 Tbsp. hydrogen peroxide

• Optional: 2-3 drops lemon, lemongrass, or lavender essential oils. These do not stain clothes.

Notes:

• Add 1 cup of this bleach alternative for softer and brighter clothing. No need to dilute.

• This bleach alternative is color-safe.

• It can be used to safely clean tubs, showers, toilet.

• It can be used as a pre-soak in a separate container for tough or ground in stains.

• You still may want to hang on to the bleach for the really, really stinky loads or when it smells ‘sour’.

If you have questions, a good place to start is on Andrea’s blog comments as there was quite a lot of discussion there.

I just did my first white and dark loads and loved the results. This has really got me excited, but do your own research!

Update 8 years and counting: I love that I not don’t use bleach anymore in the laundry room!

“It all comes out in the wash!” ~unknown

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