Sodium percarbonate, sodium percarbonate, sodium carbonate or sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate, all refer to the same product, which is highly effective against stains and can be used throughout the home.
A little less well-known than bicarbonate of soda, percarbonate is fast becoming a must-have for fans of natural, eco-friendly household products.
Asa whitener, sanitizer, degreaser and much more, percarbonate will easily replace the many chemical household products that crowd our cupboards.
If you’re a fan of natural, zero-waste products, find out more about the properties of sodium percarbonate.
Where does sodium percarbonate come from and what are its properties?
Sodium percarbonate is a white powder obtained from soda ash and hydrogen peroxide. This origin has earned it the nickname ” solid hydrogen peroxide”.
Its many properties have earned it a reputation as a super stain remover. Thanks to the products it contains, percarbonate offers many other advantages, including
- Stain remover: it effectively removes dirt.
- Cleaner: a formidable cleaning agent.
- Whitening: it whitens linen, restoring textiles to their brilliant whiteness.
- Disinfectant : disinfects surfaces and textiles.
- Deodorizing : effectively eliminates unpleasant odors.
Above all, sodium percarbonate is an environmentally friendly product. It is therefore the ideal product to replace all bathroom, kitchen and laundry cleaning products.
How do I use sodium percarbonate?
To make the most of its effectiveness, it’s important to know how to use percarbonate and when to use it. Here are some of its main applications.
1. Laundry care
Sodium percarbonate can be used for washing clothes, whether by hand or machine. Not only does it get rid of stains, it can also revive whites and disinfect textiles.
It is therefore particularly suitable for washing sheets, bath towels, cloth diapers, menstrual pants and so on.
- For machine washing, simply add around 2 heaped tablespoons of powder to the detergent dispenser for incredible results.
- For hand-washing, use one heaped tablespoon for every 5 liters of water.
- For bleaching, we recommend soaking your laundry in this solution for at least 5 hours for whites, and only 1 hour for colors. Please note that percarbonate should not be used for wool or delicate garments.
2. Home care
Sodium percarbonate is a true multi-purpose cleaning product. It can be used for
- For floor cleaning.
- To remove stains from sofas, carpets, curtains, etc.
- To maintain and unblock drains.
- For cleaning the whole bathroom, including joints.
- For cleaning and deodorizing refrigerators.
- For cleaning, disinfecting and deodorizing cat litter.
- For scouring cooking appliances (hob, oven, microwave, etc.).
- To descale small appliances (kettle, coffee maker, etc.).
To prepare a multi-purpose cleaning solution with sodium percarbonate, simply dissolve 2 large tablespoons of white powder in about 3 liters of hot water.
3. Cleaning dishes
Sodium percarbonate is ideal for washing and maintaining dishes. In fact, it’s on the ingredient list of most dishwasher tablet recipes.
Sodium percarbonate is ideal for stain removal and dish shine. It also sanitizes the surface of cutting boards for optimum hygiene in the kitchen.
Percarbonate can be used as a scouring powder or diluted at the rate of two large tablespoons of powder for 3 liters of hot water, as explained in the previous point.
4. Miscellaneous uses
Sodium percarbonate can also be very useful in a number of other applications:
- Degreasing exterior wood (cladding, trellising, decking, pergolas, etc.)
- Cleaning chimneys
- Cleaning and disinfecting doormats
- Sanitize and deodorize garbage cans
- Restore a bright white look to outdoor plastic furniture
A few dosage guidelines:
Here are a few guidelines to help you dose your percarbonate according to your needs:
- Percarbonate paste : 50 g percarbonate mixed with a little water to form a paste.
- Soaking solution: 150 g percarbonate in 3 liters of hot water.
- Classic preparation : 100 g percarbonate diluted in 3 liters of hot water.
- Powerful preparation: 200 g percarbonate diluted in 3 liters of hot water.
Sodium percarbonate, precautions for use and general information
Sodium percarbonate is not a harmless product. It can, in fact, represent a danger in certain cases, and should under no circumstances be swallowed or come into contact with the eyes. That’s why it should be kept out of the reach of children.
It’s best to handle percarbonate with gloves, and avoid contact with the skin, whether pure or diluted.
In addition, to ensure safe use, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on dosage.
Good to know:
It’s important to note that sodium percarbonate loses its whitening effectiveness after 5 hours. However, the disinfecting and cleaning properties remain, which is why the soaking water can be flushed down the toilet for effortless cleaning.
In addition, for optimum effectiveness, percarbonate soaking water should be 60°. The product works well at 40°, but should not be used in cold water.
