Is OxiClean just hydrogen peroxide?

What’s Really in OxiClean?

You might have heard that OxiClean is just hydrogen peroxide, but it’s a bit more nuanced than that. The key ingredient responsible for its powerful cleaning and brightening action is sodium percarbonate. This compound is essentially a stabilized, dry form of hydrogen peroxide bonded with washing soda (sodium carbonate). When dissolved in water, it releases oxygen — the same ingredient that makes hydrogen peroxide such an effective cleaner.

So while OxiClean isn’t pure hydrogen peroxide, it acts very similarly. Once it hits water, the sodium percarbonate breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and soda ash, creating a bubbling reaction that helps lift stains and brighten fabrics. It's this oxygen release that makes it so effective on everything from coffee spills to old, set-in grime.

Washing soda — another component — is more alkaline than baking soda and helps cut through grease and soften water, making the cleaning process even more efficient. Together, these ingredients create a powerhouse laundry booster without the harshness of chlorine bleach.

That said, OxiClean isn’t just one thing — it’s a carefully formulated mix. Besides sodium percarbonate, it includes surfactants and other cleaning agents depending on the specific product version (powder, liquid, stain remover, etc.). But the real magic still comes from that hydrogen peroxide core.

So, can you replicate OxiClean with a DIY mix of hydrogen peroxide and washing soda? To some extent — yes. But the commercial formula ensures stability, consistency, and enhanced performance. For everyday laundry challenges, whether it’s dingy whites or stained collars, OxiClean remains a trusted go-to because it’s science, simplified.