Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a common fungal infection that can cause itching, burning, and cracked skin on your feet. If you’ve ever had it, you know how persistent it can be. So, it’s natural to wonder if common household cleaners can help.
Specifically, does Oxiclean kill fungus, including the kind that causes athlete’s foot? This article will explore whether Oxiclean is a viable solution for eliminating fungus, not only from your laundry but also from other surfaces in your home.
We’ll cover Oxiclean’s effectiveness, alternative cleaning methods you can try, and preventative steps you can take to avoid spreading fungal infections in the first place.
Understanding Athlete’s Foot and Fungal Spread
Athlete’s foot is easily spread through direct contact, like touching someone who has it. But you can also catch it from surfaces that have the fungus on them, like locker room floors or even your own clothes and towels.
That’s why good hygiene and careful laundry habits are key to preventing fungal infections from spreading. Fungal spores are tough and can live on surfaces and in fabrics if they aren’t properly disinfected. So, cleaning well and disinfecting regularly is important.
Does OxiClean kill fungus?
OxiClean is a popular stain remover and household cleaner, but can it kill fungus?
OxiClean’s Composition and Cleaning Action
The active ingredients in OxiClean are sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate. Sodium percarbonate releases hydrogen peroxide when it dissolves in water.
OxiClean works through oxidation. This process removes stains and dirt and makes OxiClean a useful general cleaner.
OxiClean and Antifungal Properties
OxiClean isn’t designed to be an antifungal agent. However, the hydrogen peroxide it contains may have some antifungal properties.
Hydrogen peroxide can kill fungus, but how well it works depends on how strong the solution is and how long it stays in contact with the fungus.
The amount of hydrogen peroxide released by OxiClean may not be strong enough to reliably kill fungal spores, especially when you’re using it in the laundry.
Other ways to kill fungus in your laundry
If you’re looking for ways to disinfect your laundry and kill fungus, here are some other options.
Hot water and high heat
Health professionals often recommend washing clothes in hot water to kill fungus. If you set your washing machine to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), you’ll be able to disinfect most items.
Be sure to set your dryer to its highest heat setting, too.
Chlorine and non-chlorine bleach
If you’re trying to disinfect white cotton socks, you can use chlorine bleach. To understand if it’s fully effective, learn does chlorine kill athlete’s foot, and be sure to use hot water, too.
For colored clothes and wool items, you’ll need to use non-chlorine bleach disinfectants.
Natural antifungal agents
It’s easy to add natural antifungal agents to your laundry.
For example, you can add a cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle. You might also consider a foot soak with baking soda and vinegar. You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract.
Other options are baking soda and lemon juice, which may also have some antifungal properties.
Preventing the spread of athlete’s foot in laundry and beyond
If someone in your household has athlete’s foot, you’ll need to take steps to prevent spreading the fungus to other people.
Separate and disinfect laundry
When you launder towels, socks, and bedding, keep the infected items completely separate from the uninfected items. You can use mesh bags or plastic baskets to keep the items apart from each other.
After you’ve washed a load of laundry, use a bleach solution to wipe down the laundry baskets or bags.
Disinfect shoes and other items
Fungus can grow in your gym bag, backpack, and shoes, so you’ll need to disinfect these items frequently. One method people consider is freezing shoes to kill fungus.
Consider buying a shoe dryer to prevent foot odor and fungal growth.
Air drying and sun exposure
Allow shoes to air dry for 24 hours, and when you can, hang laundry in direct sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OxiClean just hydrogen peroxide?
No, OxiClean isn’t just hydrogen peroxide. While it contains sodium percarbonate, which decomposes into hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate when mixed with water, it’s a combination of ingredients. The sodium carbonate boosts the cleaning power of the hydrogen peroxide.
Is Dawn an enzyme cleaner?
Dawn dish soap isn’t specifically formulated as an enzyme cleaner. It’s primarily a surfactant-based detergent designed to break down grease and grime. While it can lift some organic matter, it doesn’t contain enzymes that actively digest proteins or starches like true enzyme cleaners do.
Is OxiClean better than bleach for mold?
OxiClean can be effective at removing mold stains and surface mold, but bleach is generally considered a stronger disinfectant for killing mold at its roots. OxiClean is color-safe and gentler on surfaces, making it a good option for certain situations, but for serious mold infestations, bleach is often recommended.
Does OxiClean get rid of bacteria?
OxiClean possesses some antibacterial properties, helping to reduce bacteria on surfaces. However, it’s not a registered disinfectant, so it may not eliminate all types of bacteria. If thorough disinfection is needed, use a product specifically labeled as a disinfectant.
Does OxiClean disinfect fungus?
OxiClean can help remove surface fungus and mold stains, but it’s not a designated fungicide. For disinfecting against fungus, a product specifically designed and labeled as a fungicide is recommended to ensure complete elimination.
To Conclude
While OxiClean might help to remove some stains and odors associated with mold and mildew, it probably isn’t going to be your best bet for killing athlete’s foot fungus. There are more effective antifungal treatments that you can get from a pharmacy or your doctor.
The best way to deal with fungus is to stop it from spreading in the first place. You should always wash your clothes in hot water and use appropriate disinfectants to clean surfaces. Good hygiene practices are essential.
If you have a fungal infection that doesn’t go away, you should always talk to a healthcare professional to get the right treatment.