In the countryside, our grandmothers once had the custom of spreading sheets and curtains on the grass on full moon nights to loosen stains and whiten the linen. Today, this belief continues to hold sway, as do a myriad of myths surrounding our satellite. It is suspected, for example, of having an influence on the onset of childbirth, of changing our moods or even of accelerating hair growth. But does this star really help to bleach laundry and promote whitening? Should you hang your laundry out to dry when the Moon is full? Let’s take stock of this legend together, whose secrets may well surprise you!
Can you really whiten laundry with the moon?
This phenomenon, which may seem rather far-fetched at first glance, was demonstrated empirically for decades before finally finding a scientific explanation more recently. And in reality, it turns out that the Moon has no no direct report with the discolorations and bleaching effects observed.
It is in reality the morning dew which helps explain this astonishing phenomenon. In fact, we find there peroxide, a natural bleach resulting from chemical reactions in the troposphere. The hydrogen peroxide formed will then dissolve in the dew drops. The latter will then fall on the laundry, thus whitening and bleaching it. Note also that it is the same bleach that is used to lighten unsightly body hair, teeth or even hair. It even has the effect of discoloring car bodies!
So why do we always say that the moon allows us to whiten laundry?
If we observe this phenomenon at night, it is above all because the hydrogen peroxide must dissolve in water to be active. However, during the day, the Sun’s rays dry clothes too quickly to achieve such an effect. We can also see another causal link. The Moon is indeed more visible when the sky is clear. However, a clear sky will also result in the appearance of more dew, and therefore a much greater phenomenon of discoloration. It is therefore false to say that the Moon is responsible for this discoloration since only dew actually has a bleaching effect.
Should you put your laundry out to dry under a full moon sky? If you are knowledgeable about full moon evenings and can actually put out the laundry outside, you can do so provided you only reserve this drying rack for white laundry. Otherwise, there is a risk of fading the colors of your sheets and clothes and causing them to fade irreparably! You can also more directly use whitening household products such as sodium percarbonate, lemon juice and of course hydrogen peroxide. You can then complete their action with drying under a full moon sky.