Bleach is only used to make things whiter, right? Well . . . think again! Though you might use it on your teeth [1] to fight coffee and wine stains, you can also use it on your clothes to restore colours, not just whites. Sounds like some sort of black magic, I know. But rather than the sodium hypochlorite that's found in regular bleach, colour-safe bleach is made with hydrogen peroxide, a much less aggressive formula [2] that's safe enough to use on colours without worrying about fading or staining. If you've been looking for a laundry detergent that will help you get both your whites and your colours brighter (say you have a white comforter with a bold colour pattern), check out the gallery ahead for the best colour-safe bleaches out there.
Ultra Purex 2 Colour-Safe Bleach
If you're looking for a way to permanently vanquish stains and brilliantly restore colours, Ultra Pure 2 Colour-Safe Bleach [4] ($16 for 66-ounce bottle) is the way. This detergent will help your clothes look like new after just one wash.
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Chlorine-Free Bleach
To avoid that sterile, "bleachy" smell, you'll want Seventh Generation Free & Clear Chlorine-Free Bleach [5] ($14 for two 64-ounce bottles). You won't find any dyes, fragrances, chlorine, phosphates, or artificial brighteners in this one — just a colour-safe formula that will leave your clothes brighter and fresher than ever.
OxiClean 2-in-1 Stain Fighter With Colour-Safe Brightener
OxiClean 2-in-1 Stain Fighter With Colour-Safe Brightener [6] ($8 for 45-ounce bottle) has a built-in optical brightener that allows it to restore both your colours and your whites. Best of all: you can apply it directly to your clothes to pretreat nasty stains before washing for an extra powerful clean.
Clorox 2 Free and Clear Colour-Safe Bleach
Dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin, Clorox 2 Free and Clear Colour-Safe Bleach [7] ($22 for two 33-ounce bottles) is gentle enough to use on the clothes of everyone in your family. You can use this one as a pretreatment for stains, or you can simply put it through the wash with your clothing for an extra colour boost.
Tide Brights and Whites Rescue In-Wash Detergent Booster
Designed to use along with your regular laundry detergent, Tide Brights and Whites Rescue In-Wash Detergent Booster [8] ($15 for 27-count package) is the perfect way to step up your laundry game. These powerful packs are formulated to fight dinginess and dullness, helping to restore your whites and leave your colours brighter than ever.