⚪ Oxygen-Bleach Based White Laundry Powders: Overview and Properties
🔹 Overview
Oxygen-bleach based white laundry powders are modern detergent formulations that use oxygen-releasing bleaching agents (instead of chlorine compounds) to achieve powerful whitening, stain removal, and fabric disinfection.
These powders are designed to keep white fabrics bright, hygienic, and odor-free, while being safe for fibers and environmentally friendly.
The most common active component, sodium percarbonate, releases hydrogen peroxide during washing, ensuring effective cleaning even at low or medium temperatures (40–60 °C).
⚗️ Chemical Composition
Typical oxygen-bleach white laundry powder formulations include:
-
Anionic surfactants: LAS (Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate), α-olefin sulfonates for soil and grease removal
-
Nonionic surfactants: Alcohol ethoxylates for oily stain dispersion
-
Builders: Sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, and zeolite for alkalinity and water softening
-
Bleaching system:
-
Sodium percarbonate or sodium perborate – oxygen source
-
TAED (Tetraacetylethylenediamine) – bleach activator for low-temperature performance
-
-
Optical brighteners: Stilbene derivatives for fabric whiteness
-
Anti-redeposition agents: CMC or acrylic copolymers
-
Enzymes: Protease, amylase for protein and starch stain removal
-
Fragrance and stabilizers: Improve product appeal and shelf life
⚙️ Physical and Technical Properties
-
Appearance: Free-flowing white powder
-
Bulk Density: 0.6 – 0.9 g/cm³
-
Moisture Content: ≤ 5 %
-
pH (1 % solution): 9 – 11 (alkaline)
-
Solubility: Fully soluble in water
-
Active Oxygen Content: 2 – 5 %
-
Foam Level: Medium (machine-compatible)
-
Washing Temperature Range: 30 °C – 90 °C
🔹 Performance Characteristics
-
Provides intense whitening without using chlorine bleach
-
Removes organic stains like coffee, tea, fruit juice, and perspiration
-
Ensures fabric brightness and prevents greying
-
Color-safe on mixed loads when used correctly
-
Has antibacterial and deodorizing effects due to oxygen release
-
Compatible with enzymes, surfactants, and optical brighteners
-
Environmentally safer than chlorine-based detergents
🔹 Applications
-
Household detergents for white and light-colored fabrics
-
Institutional and industrial laundries (hotels, hospitals, restaurants)
-
Automatic and semi-automatic washing machines
⚠️ Storage and Handling
-
Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area
-
Keep away from heat, moisture, and acids
-
Avoid contact with reducing agents
-
Shelf life: typically 24 months in proper packaging
💡 Summary
Oxygen-bleach based white laundry powders offer powerful, fiber-safe whitening through oxygen-based oxidation rather than chlorine bleaching.
Their optimized blend of surfactants, builders, oxygen bleach, and brighteners ensures deep cleaning, brilliant whiteness, and environmental safety, making them ideal for both household and professional laundry applications.
