Sodium percarbonate, a natural cleaning agent, is still largely unknown to the general public, but its daily use effectively replaces bleach. As a result, sodium percarbonate is a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to other cleaning products. It’s also known as solid hydrogen peroxide, and it’s an indispensable ally in the quest to keep a home in immaculate condition. The following are ten possible uses for sodium percarbonate in case you’re still stumped.
What is sodium percarbonate used for in general?
Sodium percarbonate is, like baking soda, an ecological and easy-to-use chemical substance. It is used for laundry, cleaning and even for garden maintenance.
However, sodium percarbonate and baking soda have differences despite being two substances with similar properties. The difference is mainly noticeable at the pH level of each of the products.
The pH of sodium percarbonate, for example, contains a high concentration of alkaline, a substance that generally causes skin irritation. Therefore, sodium percarbonate cannot be used for body care unlike baking soda.
However, to get it, the laundry departments of local shops are the places to find soda ash for your various operations.
How to use sodium percarbonate?
For all the uses listed above, you have the possibility of creating mixtures with other components which increase tenfold the properties of sodium percarbonate. For example, it is enough to dilute it in boiling water, in order to increase its detergent capacity.
The effect of hydrogen peroxide can also be enhanced by adding white vinegar, black soap for cleaning the floor, a tiled surface or wood resin parquet.
Important recommendations for the use of sodium percarbonate, the corrosive cleaning solution whose alkaline pH irritates, are:
- put on household gloves before touching the solution;
- use a microfiber sponge, broom, brush that can soak up the mixture, in order to apply it to the surfaces to be cleaned rather than your hands;
- if necessary, use a spray that can contain and spray the mixture without direct contact with your skin.
Once these measures are respected, you can use solid hydrogen peroxide to carry out maintenance and cleaning tasks.
Sodium percarbonate: its use for laundry
Sodium percarbonate is an excellent cleaner for washing by hand or by machine.
To whiten laundry that has turned gray with sodium percarbonate, for example, you have the option of applying the latter in the water used for your laundry. The presence of solid hydrogen peroxide will help revive the shine of linen tarnished by limescale. This feat is indeed possible thanks to the bleaching, cleansing and stripping properties of sodium percarbonate.
Apart from all these properties, solid hydrogen peroxide can also help remove odors from laundry. Not to mention that sodium percarbonate is an excellent stain remover for removing traces of yellow halos of perspiration on shirts or stains left on:
- sheets ;
- pillowcases;
- duvets;
- shirt collars and sleeves;
- rugs, carpets, curtains or upholstery.
Detaching the traces with sodium percarbonate and reviving the colors thus becomes an easy exercise to do.
The use of sodium percarbonate in the kitchen
For a clean kitchen like those in decorating magazines, the cleaning tip based on soda ash and hot water mentioned above is also used. The mixture mainly helps to descale the bottom of a saucepan, a coffee maker, a teapot or a frying pan.
Solid hydrogen peroxide helps keep dishes, plastic containers, countertops and household appliances clean. It validly replaces a multi-purpose cleaner to sanitize this framework on a daily basis.
Cleaning the floors of your spaces and large surfaces
The sodium percarbonate helps to sanitize and deodorize the tiling of the spaces of your premises. Using a push broom soaked in this solution, you can better clean indoor spaces, but also outdoors (poolside, tiled or natural stone balcony). It is also an economical alternative to rinsing with a water jet and the purchase of cleaning solutions.
Elimination of traces of mold on the walls
Sanitizing the house also involves removing traces of mold from the walls, the attic and any place with traces of humidity. These traces of mold are not only unsightly, but they can cause disease or increase the risk of developing an allergy.
To get rid of it, it is recommended to apply a solution of sodium percarbonate and white vinegar to these molds before applying a new coat of paint.
L’eau oxygénée solide pour l’entretien de vos sanitaires
The cleaning power of baking soda also helps clean toilets. The application of the mixture of solid hydrogen peroxide and hot water helps for example to:
- preserve the whiteness of a bathtub and avoid the appearance of scale on the walls;
- remove traces of limescale present on the tile joints, in order to effectively clean the shower;
- unclog the pipes to prevent them from giving off strong unpleasant odors;
- disinfect and deodorize septic tanks;
- disinfect and deodorize the toilets (bowl, seat and toilet).
The use of sodium percarbonate on wood resin cladding, flooring and shutters
The exposure of cladding, parquet floors and shutters made of wood resin to the weather, continually damages their coating. In order to naturally revive their original color, consider applying hydrogen peroxide to the various supports mentioned using a sponge or brush. An exposure time of the solution of more than one hour is observed before rinsing. Also remember to apply the same approach to sobering up your wooden garden furniture.
However, sodium percarbonate should not be used to clean waxed floors with a Linoleum or aluminum coating, as well as oily or varnished surfaces.
Solid hydrogen peroxide as a cleaner for your bins
Soda ash can be used as a natural trash can deodorizer. Better, it improves the appearance of your garbage storage spaces provided you use a solution of soda ash, hot water and essential oil during cleaning.
Chimney sweeping
In order for your chimney to continue to provide adequate heat during winter periods, appropriate maintenance is constantly applied. You can therefore contact a professional chimney sweep for this task. However, as long as you make it yourself, baking soda is the thing to add to your routine.
Using a brush or broom, apply the mixture of water with a tablespoon or two of percarbonate of soda to the sides of the chimney. A pause time of 15 minutes is observed after the application of the mixture before rubbing then rinsing the walls of your chimney.
Solid hydrogen peroxide to whiten the soles and fabric of shoes
It is possible to keep white soles and a shiny fabric on shoes by using sodium percarbonate as a cleaning agent during shoe care. Soak them in a solution of hydrogen peroxide during the washing process for 15 to 20 minutes maximum before rinsing them off. Only white shoes or fabric can benefit from using sodium percarbonate to clean them. Discoloration can be seen on other hues as well.