Why does bleach turn things white

Commercial dyes are rated by a 'fugitive' rating which describes how they will break down in UV or due to chemical attack. Typically, they are much more stable than typical stain dyes, so although the bleach attacks everything, they often survive. However, it is often the case that clothing vendors over-dye some cloths to create very heavily saturated colors. In such cloth, the excess dye is not really bound to the fiber, but usually to a bonding agent called a fixative. Both the excess dye and the fixative are attacked by bleach, often with quite odd results.

I had a green shirt on which red wine was spilled. This isn't completely the fault of the cloth manufacturers. Dyes are all relatively active compounds, some of the prettiest are the most fugitive Similar problems happen in paints watercolor is particularly troublesome where artist colors are known to decompose in a few weeks in moderate sunlight If the fabric color remains, then you should be safe.

Start small: Lay the stained section of the garment flat and be sure there not layers of fabric or anything underneath that can be affected.

Work from the outer edge of the stain in, rinse with fresh water when the stain is gone. Bleaching the whole load: Read the label on the bleach product to determine the amount to use when adding bleach to an entire load of laundry. Consult your washing machine use manual to see if you should add the bleach to the drum or to a special dispenser drawer or section.

Chlorine bleach can be used to disinfect and sanitize laundry and well as kitchen, bathroom and other surfaces around the home. Disinfectants and disinfectant cleaners are the only products that kill germs—but they only work if the label directions are followed. Products that claim to kill germs must meet efficacy requirements and guidelines established by the U.

Clothes Hands Dishes Surfaces. Learn More. About Ingredients. Ingredient Safety Initiative. Here's how to use bleach on clothes: Bleach converts soils into colorless, soluble particles which are easily removed by detergents, then carried away in the wash water. If bleach is safe for the fabric, follow the tips below. Tips for Using Bleach in Laundry 1. Safety Reminders: Read and follow label directions at all times.

Try a couple of detergent-only washes as your initial approach. Get cleaning tips, product updates, promotional offers and more to your inbox. Bleach and other disinfectants are not suitable for consumption or injection under any circumstances. People should always read the label for proper usage instructions. Disinfecting surfaces with bleach and other disinfecting products is one of the ways to help stop the spread of COVID, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Our products are safe when used as directed. An Important Safety Message.