Product Review: OxiClean Improved Versatile Stain Remover
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OxiClean has been on the store laundry products shelves for more than ten years. What began with an ear-splitting infomercial has become a standard in many laundry rooms. In August of 2011, a new and improved formula, tub and scoop were introduced. The concentrated formula contains forty percent more oxygen power per scoop. And, the tub and scoop are more durable and the tub smaller making it easier to store and use.
OxiClean Improved Versatile Stain Remover
OxiClean is a chlorine free, color safe oxygen based stain remover. It serves not only as a stain remover, but a detergent booster, whitener and brightener and presoak for tough-to-remove stains like ground in dirt, grass and color transfer (dye). OxiClean can be used safely on any washable fabric, carpet and most upholstery and on hard surfaces like tile.
To work well, OxiClean must be activated by water. The water activates the oxygen powder and enhances the pH of water to improve detergent's cleaning power. The dissolved product is effective for up to six hours. It should not be stored in a tightly covered container once dissolved because the released gas can cause the container to swell. The package listed ingredients are sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate. A full ingredient listing can be found on the Church & Dwight website:
- Sodium Carbonate
- Sodium Percarbonate
- C12-15 Alcohol Ethoxylate
- Sodium Metasilicate
- Acrylic Acid Homopolymer
- Fragrance
- Colorant
Three versions of OxiClean are available in a variety of sizes. The ingredients are the same for all except the OxiClean Free and OxiClean Baby Stain Soaker are 100 percent free of fragrances and dyes. - OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover: 1.3 pound tub for $3.99; 3 pound tub for $7.99; 5 pound tub for $11.99
- OxiClean Free Versatile Stain Remover: 3 pound tub for $7.99
- OxiClean Baby Stain Soaker: 3 pound tub for $7.99
The Church & Dwight and OxiClean Story
OxiClean and the Arm & Hammer Laundry Products are an arm of the Church & Dwight Co., Inc. The Arm & Hammer brand was first applied to boxes of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) produced by Dr. Austin Church and John Dwight in 1846. The familiar box of baking soda with the hammer-wielding arm of Vulcan, god of fire, as their logo became a fixture in most homes.
In 1970, the company introduced the first non-phosphate laundry detergent and was the sole corporate sponsor of the first Earth Day celebration. By the 1980s, Arm & Hammer laundry detergent was available in both liquid and powder formulas and in 2012, single use paks. And, in 2006, Church & Dwight acquired Orange Glo International, the parent company of OxiClean, OxiClean Max Force Gel Stick and OxiClean Max Force Power Packs.
In addition to laundry products and baking soda, Church & Dwight manufactures a variety of cleaning, freshening and deodorizing products such as kitty litter, toothpaste, deodorants, carpet deodorizer, household cleaners like Kaboom, Orange Glo and Scrub Free, and personal products like Nair, Trojan condoms and First Response pregnancy tests.
About Laundry Recommendation
Once I discovered OxiClean, it became one of my laundry room must haves. I use it for pre-soaking and for the removal of stains that have set. At almost anytime there is something in my laundry room soaking in OxiClean. It is gentle on fabrics so I use it to clean vintage linens, quilts and handiwork.
OxiClean cannot be used on wool, silk, leather or fabrics that are dry clean only. While close, it is not a miracle formula for every type of stain; it won't remove rust, dried paint or bleach damage. It is very simple to use and the package offers directions in both English and Spanish.
I highly recommend that OxiClean have a permanent space on your laundry shelf.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.