ILLUMINATE User Guide

Oxygen & Mineral Powder — Humble Suds

Illuminate is a natural powder that brightens, whitens, lifts stains, and freshens using the power of oxygen. It is a versatile alternative to chlorine bleach for everyday cleaning and laundry. It offers hundreds of uses! We've detailed many below.

LAUNDRY

Illuminate will brighten, whiten, and deodorize your clothes AND add extra softening power to your water. It's safe to use on colors — in fact, it can brighten those as well. Always spot test prior to use for colorfastness. Always defer to garment label directions.

Do not use on upholstered furniture, wool blends, leather, silk blends, fabrics labeled for dry clean only, aluminum cookware or surfaces, raw or unfinished wood, brass, or copper, as Illuminate can cause discoloration or etching on these materials. Do not mix with products containing ammonia or chlorine bleach.

How to Spot Test

One easy way to test if a fabric is colorfast is to dampen a clean, white cloth. Rub the wet cloth on an interior seam or hem of a colored garment. If any color comes off onto the white cloth, then the item is not colorfast and the dye will run when the garment is washed.

Laundry Boost

Add 2 Tbsp for light to moderately soiled laundry, or 4 Tbsp for heavily soiled laundry, directly to the drum before adding clothes. Warm/hot water recommended, but it can still be added to cooler water temperatures.

When do I need a laundry boost? Dingy or dull clothes and linens, extra-stinky clothes, workout wear, or just for an extra boost.

Laundry Soak

Dissolve ¼ cup in a gallon of hot water. Add item(s) and ensure they are submerged (placing a white towel on top of the item will keep it in place). Soak for at least one hour up to overnight, then rinse. Wash on a normal cycle.

What should I soak? Synthetics that absorb oils and odors are great for soaks. Check the label to ensure fabric can withstand hot temperatures. For fabrics more sensitive to hot temps, let solution cool slightly before submerging clothes. A soak is also effective for whitening yellowed linens, curtains, and armpit stains, or for freshening tennis shoes.

Stripping

Fill your bathtub with the hottest water possible. Add 1 cup (not scoop — cup) of Illuminate. After about four hours of soak time, squeeze out excess water as much as possible. Then run the laundry through a wash cycle in your washing machine without any detergent. Stripping is only recommended for white fabrics. Avoid fabrics like comforters and pillows, as a high pH will strip the oils and could even cause the fabric to crack.

Pillows

Bring yellowed, washable pillows back to life. Fill a tub or large basin with hot water and add ¼ cup Illuminate per gallon. Submerge pillows and weight them down with a clean white towel to keep them under the water. Soak for 1–2 hours, then wash on a normal cycle and dry thoroughly. Always check the care label to confirm the pillow is washable.

Cleaning Cloths, Mop Heads & Bar Towels

Hardworking textiles deserve a deep clean. Dissolve ¼ cup Illuminate in a gallon of hot water, submerge cloths, and soak for 1 hour up to overnight. Wash on a normal cycle.

Diapers

• Use as a laundry booster with every wash: Add 2 Tbsp (1 oz.) along with your laundry soap to the main wash. Warm/hot water recommended.
• Stain pre-treat: Rinse with cold water or do a speed wash with cold water (hot water will set stains). Spray with Illuminate solution (see "Stain Treatment" section below). Sprinkle Illuminate, spray with solution, and agitate. Rinse again. For more stubborn stains, soak per the directions in the next bullet.
• Soak for stains: Pre-rinse diapers with cold water and no soap. Add 4 Tbsp (2 oz.) to hot water. Let soak for 1–6 hours. Illuminate stops working after 6 hours, so there's no need to soak longer than that.
• Concentrated soak for a deep refresh: Pre-rinse diapers as directed above. Add 4 Tbsp (2 oz.) to hot water on a low water setting — just enough to cover the diapers, which increases the concentration. Let soak for at least 15 minutes. A short, concentrated soak is all you need to leave diapers feeling fresh and thoroughly cleaned; longer soaking isn't necessary.

STAIN TREATMENT

Various stains require different treatments. Keys to general stain removal success include:

• Act quickly. Try to treat the stain as soon as possible.
• Don't set the stain! Try cold water first rather than hot, as hot can set some types of stains.
• Blot the stain away initially. Do not rub it into the fabric.
• Oil-based stains are treated differently. See tips below.
• Don't put Illuminate directly on stains on colored clothes without testing for colorfastness first. Use the stain solution (listed below) or the laundry soak instead.

There are two ways to use Illuminate in treating stains:

• Stain Solution: Dissolve 3 Tbsp in 2 cups of hot water. Pour into a bottle. Do not cover for long periods of time, as pressure can build in the bottle and cause it to explode. A stain solution will remain active 5–6 hours. You can discard the mixture down the drain after use — it actually is helpful in cleaning drains, disposals, and toilets.
• Apply Powder and Agitate: Only use on approved white fabrics, or on colored garments tested for colorfastness in an inconspicuous spot. More details below.

How to Stain Treat with Illuminate

Non-oil-based stains on fabrics: Test for colorfastness on colored garments. Blot stain (do not rub) with cold water to remove as much as possible. Once you have removed as much of the stain as possible through cold water blotting, gently sprinkle a small amount of Illuminate on the stain and agitate with a toothbrush or by rubbing the fabric against itself. Let sit 3–5 minutes. Rinse. If stain remains, repeat or place in laundry soak and let sit for an hour to overnight. Feel free to add a bit of Scour to the stain as well.

Oil-based stains on fabrics: Test for colorfastness on colored garments. Apply Scour directly onto stain and let sit. Sprinkle Illuminate on the spot and agitate with a toothbrush or by rubbing the fabric against itself. Let sit 3–5 minutes. Rinse. If stain remains, repeat or place in laundry soak and let sit for an hour to overnight.

Pet messes on fabric or carpet: Blot up as much as possible with cold water — do not rub. Spray the area with Illuminate cleaning solution and add a small amount of Scour. Agitate with a soft brush and let sit 10–30 minutes. Blot up moisture and let air dry. Vacuum once fully dry.

BATH

Grout: In a separate bowl, mix together ¼ cup of Scour with 1 Tbsp of Illuminate. Spray grout with Illuminate cleaning solution and apply the Scour + Illuminate mixture to the grout. Scrub with a non-abrasive scrubbing brush or sponge and let sit 20–30 minutes. Rinse.

Toilets: Add ¼ cup. Wait 15 minutes, then scrub.

Sinks & Tubs: Wet the area with water, All Purpose Cleaner, or Illuminate cleaning solution. Sprinkle Scour around the area and scrub in circular motions with a non-abrasive sponge or brush. Rinse away. For stained areas, sprinkle a bit more Scour. Add a bit of Illuminate powder, scrub again, and let sit for a minute. Rinse.

Shower Curtains: Soak in one ounce per gallon of hot water; for stubborn stains and discoloration, soak overnight.

KITCHEN

Sink: Wet the area with water, All Purpose Cleaner, or Illuminate cleaning solution. Sprinkle Scour around the area and scrub in circular motions with a non-abrasive sponge or brush. Rinse away. For stained areas, sprinkle a bit more Scour. Add a bit of Illuminate powder, scrub again, and let sit for a minute. Rinse.

Refrigerator: After cleaning your fridge with our All Purpose Cleaner or Scour, treat any remaining stained areas with Illuminate cleaning solution.

Cutting Boards: Spray with Illuminate cleaning solution and let sit for a few minutes. Add a dollop of Scour. Rub in circular motions. Rinse and let dry. If the board is wooden, apply Revival to the dry board if needed.

Surface Stains: Test an inconspicuous spot. Spray Illuminate cleaning solution, sprinkle Scour and a bit of Illuminate powder. Scrub with a non-abrasive sponge or brush in a circular motion. Let sit for 10–20 minutes. If stain remains, spray with solution and let sit for 10 minutes.

Baked-On Pans & Casserole Dishes: Sprinkle 1–2 Tbsp Illuminate directly into the dish. Add hot water until the baked-on residue is fully covered. Let soak for 30 minutes up to 2 hours. The lift will come off easily with a sponge. Rinse thoroughly. Do not use on aluminum.

Coffee Pots, Teapots & Thermoses: Add 1 Tbsp Illuminate, fill with hot water, and let sit 30 minutes up to overnight. Rinse thoroughly. Lifts coffee and tea staining from glass, ceramic, and stainless steel. Do not use on aluminum or items with aluminum components.

Reusable Water Bottles, Travel Mugs & Lunch Containers: Add 1 tsp Illuminate to the bottle or container, fill with hot water, and let sit overnight. Pay special attention to lids and seals — they tend to hold onto smells. Rinse thoroughly in the morning. Best for stainless steel, glass, and BPA-free plastic; do not use on aluminum bottles or containers, or on items with aluminum lids or components.

Coolers & Insulated Bags: Wipe the interior with Illuminate cleaning solution. Let sit 10 minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. Avoid use on aluminum interiors.

Reusable Produce Bags: Soak in ¼ cup Illuminate per gallon of hot water for 1 hour, then rinse and air dry.

OUTDOOR

Wood Decks: Restore graying decks and lift stains without the harshness of chlorine bleach. Mix ¼ cup Illuminate per gallon of hot water. Apply with a soft brush or pump sprayer to a pre-wet deck and let sit 15–20 minutes — don't let the solution dry on the surface (mist with water if needed). Scrub with a soft-bristle brush, then rinse thoroughly with a hose. Always test an inconspicuous spot first. Use with extra care on cedar and redwood, as Illuminate can lighten the natural color of these woods.

Patio Furniture & Outdoor Cushions: Spray with Illuminate cleaning solution, let sit 10–15 minutes, scrub with a soft brush, and rinse with a hose. For cushion covers that zip off, follow the Laundry Soak directions instead.

Doormats & Outdoor Rugs: Lay flat on a hard surface. Spray with Illuminate cleaning solution, sprinkle a small amount of Scour for tougher messes, and let sit 10–20 minutes. Scrub with a stiff brush, then rinse thoroughly with a hose. Air dry completely before bringing back inside.

CARPET

Blot stain. Spray stain with Illuminate cleaning solution. Add a small amount of Scour. Agitate and let sit for 10–30 minutes. Blot up moisture. Vacuum when dry.

More to come!