Sodium Percarbonate in the Washing Machine: How to Whiten and Freshen Laundry

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Have you ever taken towels out of the washing machine and found them still dull? Or noticed that white sheets do not feel as fresh as they should? When white laundry loses brightness or retains odours, detergent alone may not be enough.
In these situations, sodium percarbonate in the washing machine can help improve washing results, especially on light-coloured fabrics. When dissolved in water, it releases oxygen, which supports stain removal and enhances cleaning performance.
Used correctly, it helps restore whiteness, treat light organic stains and improve hygiene performance above 50°C, without relying on chlorine or heavy fragrances.

Key Takeaways

• Sodium percarbonate in the washing machine helps whiten and refresh light fabrics.
• It is useful for towels, bed linen and dull white laundry.
• You can add it together with your regular detergent as a laundry booster.
• It works better at medium to high temperatures.
• It is not suitable for wool, silk, leather or blood stains.

When to Use Sodium Percarbonate for Laundry

Sodium percarbonate works best when whites are no longer bright or when detergent alone does not deliver the desired result. In particular, it can make a difference if:

• white fabrics look grey or yellowed
• towels have lost freshness
• bed sheets retain unpleasant odours
• light organic stains are visible

It does not replace detergent. Instead, it enhances the final result when washing compatible white or light fabrics.

How to Use Sodium Percarbonate in the Washing Machine

Direct Addition to the Drum

For a regular wash:

place the laundry in the drum
add your usual detergent
add sodium percarbonate directly into the drum

The effect becomes more noticeable at temperatures above 40–50°C, when oxygen release increases.

Washing at Low Temperatures

If you usually wash at 30°C, the effect may be milder. In that case, consider a pre-soak to achieve a more visible improvement.

Pre-Soaking Before Washing: When It Helps

Pre-soaking is recommended for:

• very yellowed white garments
• visible, localised stains
• fabrics that have gradually lost brightness

General procedure:

1. dissolve sodium percarbonate in warm water
2. leave garments to soak for an appropriate time
3. rinse or proceed with the normal washing cycle

This additional step can significantly improve the final washing result.

Which Stains Respond Best

Sodium percarbonate works particularly well on:

• sweat stains
• everyday dull marks
• light food stains
• gradual yellowing

However, it is less suitable for:

• blood stains
• heavy, layered grease
• delicate fabrics

For specific or very resistant stains, a targeted product may be necessary.

Laundry Hygiene: What to Know

At medium to high temperatures, sodium percarbonate supports deeper fabric cleaning. Therefore, it can be useful for:

• towels
• bed linen
• compatible workwear

It does not replace a high-temperature cycle when required. However, it can act as effective support in routine laundry care.

When NOT to Use It

Sodium percarbonate is not suitable for:

• wool
• silk
• delicate linen
• leather

It is also not recommended for blood stains, since it may make them harder to remove.

Why Choose a Pure Powder Formula

For washing machine use, choose a granular sodium percarbonate powder that dissolves easily in water and contains no unnecessary additives. This ensures versatility and compatibility with different household applications.

SEIGENICO is a water-soluble granular sodium percarbonate powder designed for laundry and general household cleaning through water dilution. Its simple formula makes it suitable for whitening and supporting hygiene performance on light fabrics, as described in this guide.

Conclusion

Using sodium percarbonate in the washing machine can be a practical solution when white laundry looks dull or when you want deeper cleaning without chlorine. When used correctly and on compatible fabrics, it helps improve washing performance and maintain brightness over time.
It does not replace strong degreasing detergents. Nevertheless, it remains a valuable ally for everyday laundry maintenance.

For those looking for a water-soluble sodium percarbonate powder suitable for domestic use, SEIGENICO offers a practical option for routine laundry care.

Still Have Questions?

Marbec technical support can help you choose the right procedure and the most suitable products for your laundry and household needs.
👉 Contact Marbec for qualified technical assistance.