sodium percarbonate breaks down into NaCl (salt), H2O (water), and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide). so if you wanted a homebrew equivalent but didnt have the exact origional chemicals, you can replicate the end result by mixing some hydrogen peroxide with saltwater. there are also some surfactants (the slimy feel oxiclean has) that help remove dirt, but those are secondary ingredients.
adding baking soda, while it wouldnt replace or create sodium percarbonate and wouldnt match the oxiclean formula, also would not hurt anything. baking soda itself can be used as a cleaner. people often add it to the laundry. its food grade (as you can eat it) and perfectly safe.
hydrogen peroxide can be used all by itself as a cleaner and sanitizer. i use it all the time.
No salt in sodium percarbonate. (Na2CO3*H202....no Cl). It breaks down into oxygen, water, (oxygen and water from the H202...), and Na+ ions and CO3-(2-) ions in equilbrium with Na2CO3, (with side products of CO2, HCO3-, and H2CO3 all floating around in a dynamic equilbrium as they dance with water).
The slimy feel is not surfactant, it's your skin being eaten away. Really! Sodium Carbonate is a base. In basic solutions, just like with lye, or other basic compounds, the base attacks the fatty acids, triglycerides, in your skin and hydrolyzes them. You are
literally making soap with your own fat, on the tips of your fingers.
If you buy pure sodium carbonate, or try it with baking soda, or any other base, you'll get the same slippery feel, no surfactants necessary.
Don't worry, it's a VERY weak reaction....your fingers won't dissolve even if left in oxyclean for a very long time, (they'll probably get wrinkly though), but now you know
.
