Aseptics and aesthetics of chlorine bleach: can its use in laundering be safely abandoned?

The disinfecting and cleansing properties of chlorine bleach in high-temperature laundering formulations first was demonstrated in 1938, and subsequently was found to be equally effective in lower-temperature formulations that included modifications in the laundering cycle. Until another well-documented bleaching additive becomes commercially available, chlorine bleach should continue to be an integral part of the laundering formulations for all textiles used in health care facilities.