How to remove stains with sodium percarbonate: step by step

What is sodium percarbonate and why does it work so well?

Sodium percarbonate is a white powder that activates in hot water and releases hydrogen peroxide, the same bleach hospitals use. Unlike traditional chlorine bleach, it contains no chlorine, won't fade colored fabrics, and is safe for the environment. It breaks down into water, oxygen, and sodium carbonate (washing soda), three completely harmless substances.

That's why at Emma Eco Laundry we use it as part of our eco wash process: it cleans deeply without damaging fibers or polluting Medellín's water.

What types of stains can percarbonate remove?

Percarbonate is especially effective against organic stains:

Blood stains, even old set-in stains
Yellowed underarms, that yellow discoloration on white and light-colored shirts
Coffee and tea stains, on cotton and linen
Red wine stains, if you act quickly, it comes out of most fabrics
Sweat and deodorant stains, the buildup that darkens underarms
Food stains, sauces, oil, fruits like blackberry and plum
Grass stains, common on kids' sports clothes

How to prepare the percarbonate solution step by step

The basic recipe is simple:

Boil one liter of water. Percarbonate needs hot water (at least 40 °C, ideally boiling) to activate. In cold water it barely reacts.
Add one tablespoon of sodium percarbonate (approximately 15 grams) to the liter of boiling water. Stir until fully dissolved. You'll see the solution start to fizz, that's the oxygen being released, which tells you it's working.
Apply the solution directly onto the stain using a soft-bristle brush, or if the garment has multiple stains, soak the entire garment in the solution for 10 minutes.
Wash the garment normally after treatment. You can do this by hand or in the washing machine with your regular detergent.

For tough or very old stains

If the stain has been set for weeks or months:

Increase the concentration to 2 tablespoons per liter of water.
Soak the garment for 30 minutes instead of 10.
If the stain persists, repeat the process a second time before drying the garment (heat from the dryer can set the stain).

Emma Tip: Never apply percarbonate on wool, silk, or leather, these materials are sensitive to alkaline pH. For those fabrics, bring your garments to Emma Eco Laundry and we'll treat them with the right product.

Why isn't my stain coming out? Frequently asked questions

Can I use percarbonate in cold water? Not recommended. Percarbonate needs heat to activate. If you only have cold water, dissolve the percarbonate in a small amount of hot water first and then mix it with the cold water, although the effect will be less powerful.

Does percarbonate bleach colored clothes? No. Unlike chlorine bleach, percarbonate is safe for colored fabrics as long as you use it at the recommended concentrations (1 tablespoon per liter). If you're unsure, test on a hidden corner first.

Can I mix percarbonate with vinegar? Not recommended. Vinegar is acidic and neutralizes percarbonate's alkaline action, reducing its effectiveness. Use them separately: percarbonate for stain removal and vinegar as a fabric softener in the rinse cycle.

Is it safe for sensitive skin? Yes. Percarbonate leaves no irritating residue once rinsed. In fact, it's used in hypoallergenic detergent formulations. Just avoid direct contact with the concentrated powder on your skin, wear gloves if handling it in large quantities.

When it's better to take your clothes to the laundromat

At Emma Eco Laundry we treat each garment with the right product for its fabric type and the nature of the stain. You can bring your dirty clothes directly to our location in El Poblado or schedule a pickup via WhatsApp. We'll pick up your garments, treat the stains with eco products, and return them clean and fresh to your door.

Need laundry in El Poblado? Emma Eco Laundry offers wash by the kilo from $16,000 COP/kg with pickup available, or monthly subscription plans from $200,000 COP/month.