Multi-surface cleaners save you the cost of having so many products to clean different places and objects. If you have a Mr. Clean Multi Surface cleaner, you may wonder whether you can extend its use to your clothes.
Can Mr. Clean All Purpose Cleaner Be Used on Cloth?
Using Mr. Clean Multi-Surface cleaner on clothes might not be the best idea because its repeated use in laundry may damage the fabric or affect one’s skin. Also, the manufacturers did not add laundry to their list of uses on the label or on their website.
The Ingredients & their Action on Fabric
To understand the possible effects of using this cleaner on your clothes, it is crucial to examine its ingredients individually.
Water: All liquid cleaners or detergents contain water which has no adverse effect on your clothes or skin but makes the product a solution.
C9-11 Pareth: A popular surfactant. It breaks up, removes, and holds stains in a suspension so they don’t stick back to the surface. However, it is specifically good for cleaning surfaces like floors, glass, etc. Mr. clean specifies that it is put in the cleaner for floor cleaner. Some laundry detergents contain it, though, and it seems to be non-irritating for the most part.
Carboxymethyl Inulin: This ingredient is a water softener. In laundry detergent and cleaners, it helps the soap to rinse off fast and is environmentally safe. It is also beneficial to fabric since it prevents hard water mineral incrustation.
Sodium Carbonate: This is one of the most common cleaning ingredients. It is also known as washing soda, which removes stains and softens the water.
Benzisothiazolinone: A known preservative in cosmetic and cleaning products. Although it has antimicrobial qualities, it is known to be toxic to humans as well as environmentally toxic.
Sodium Citrate: Another common cleaning ingredient, it balances the pH of cleaners and acts as a builder, i.e., enhances the product’s cleaning abilities.
C10-16 Alkyl Dimethylamine Oxide: This is a commonly used surfactant. It is safe on clothes but can cause skin irritation.
Fragrances: Perhaps the most notorious ingredient on this list. Manufacturers of the product did not state the specific chemicals that comprise fragrances on their website as they are not mandated by law to do so. However, the term perfume or fragrance is an umbrella word that could encompass many ingredients that could be toxic.
Also, some people’s noses and skin are too sensitive to use a detergent that has a fragrance to wash their clothes as the smell would linger on and potentially irritate them when they wear the clothes.
Colorants: The chemicals used are relatively safe and of no consequence to the skin or clothes. They give the product an appealing color that matches its scent.
This product contains relatively safe ingredients. However, some are potential skin irritants, so it may be better to stick to using them for surface cleaning.
Your clothes can absorb these chemicals, transfer them to your skin, and then into your bloodstream. While initial exposure may not cause any issues, prolonged use of the cleaner as a laundry detergent may cause some skin reactions or other issues.
How to Use this Cleaner on Cloth?
To use Mr. Clean for laundry, you should use it in a top-loading washing machine. There is no need to use warm or hot water on the clothes, and you should also be careful in measuring the cleaner. If not, your clothes might wear from the harsh product and hot water. Also, consider hand washing your delicate clothes with your hands.
YOU’LL NEED
Mr. Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner
Cold water
Washing Machine
STEPS
STEP 1- Add the cleaner to the machine before the clothes (there is no need to use it with detergent). Depending on the capacity of the machine and how many clothes you are washing, you can use anywhere from one-fourth of a cup to a full cup.
STEP 2- Load your machine with clothes but be sure to not overload it.
STEP 3- Choose a cold cycle as this cleaner is designed to work with cold water more effectively, and chances are that hot water could break it down and make it less effective.
STEP 4- Run the cycle and unload your clothes immediately after it is finished.
Laundry Detergent Alternatives
If you ever run out of laundry detergent, you may try some of these alternatives.
1- Water: It may seem weird to wash all your clothes with only water. However, you’ve likely done this if you have been camping. If your clothes are not soiled, you can wash them with only water as a last resort. You can do a hot cycle in the machine for more effectiveness.
2- Vinegar: White vinegar is a very safe and common cleaning ingredient. It is great for whites, too, since it brightens clothes and is also great for deodorizing. (Source)
3- Dishwashing liquid: You should only use this in an emergency, and it is best to use it when handwashing. However, if you must use it in your washing machine, it must be a top loader and only use a very tiny amount of liquid. This is because dishwashing liquid foams can damage your machine if care is not taken.
Conclusion!
Mr. Clean All purpose cleaner should not be used on clothes as the fabric of the cloth will be ruined in time and the chemicals in the cleaner will penetrate your skin, causing you health issues.
