# Non-chlorine bleach only — Laundry Care Symbol | Launderwise

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Bleaching

![Non-chlorine bleach only](/images/care-symbols/bleach-non-chlorine.svg)

# Non-chlorine bleach only

An ISO 3758 triangle with two diagonal lines inside it, indicating only non-chlorine (oxygen) bleach may be used; chlorine bleach is prohibited.

## What it means

The two diagonal stripes restrict bleaching to oxygen-based products such as sodium percarbonate. Chlorine bleach would damage the fibre or strip colour, so it is excluded while colour-safe oxygen bleach remains allowed.

## What to do

Reach for an oxygen bleach (sometimes sold as colour-safe or all-fabric bleach) rather than household chlorine bleach. Dissolve it in warm water for a soak, and never substitute chlorine bleach on an item carrying this symbol.

## How to use this term

Use this bleach symbol before choosing chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach or a no-bleach stain route.

- Read non-chlorine bleach only with the other symbols on the same care label; the strictest symbol wins.
- Match the instruction to the garment's most fragile part, including trims, lining, prints and finishes.
- If the label, fabric behaviour and stain method disagree, test a hidden area or choose the lower-risk route.

### Common mistake

Do not assume colour-safe bleach is safe for every fabric; silk, wool, leather and some dyes can still be damaged.

For the broader method, use the [Set-in stain guide ](/blog/remove-set-in-stains/index.md)and then return to this term when the label changes the safe option.

## Related terms

- [Bleach allowed (any bleach)](/glossary/bleach/index.md)
- [Do not bleach](/glossary/do-not-bleach/index.md)
- [Oxygen bleach](/glossary/oxygen-bleach/index.md)

## Sources

- [ISO 3758:2012 Textiles — Care labelling code using symbols ](https://www.iso.org/standard/42918.html)— International Organization for Standardization

[ Back to the full glossary](/glossary/index.md)