The free oxygen can also begin further oxidation reactions, leading to chemical weakening of the fibers. This chemical should not be used with weighted silks, textiles with metallic threads or attachments, or natural dyes using metal mordants. This is fine for cellulosics, such as cotton, linen, ramie etc., but the high pH will affect silk, which is susceptible to degradation at pH above 7.5, and wool, which is acidic by nature. The optimum working temperature for sodium perborate is also a little too warm to risk on wool. There is a chance of wool felting at high temperatures.
Peroxides are explosive.
Care should be taken in handling. This substance is a reducing bleach, meaning that the colored carbonyl compounds are reduced to the more stable alcohols. Of all the bleaches discussed in this article, the borohydrides have been found to give the least amount of color reversion when used correctly. The substance is on the alkaline side, and deteriorates rapidly in acidic conditions. Again, use with silks, wools, or other materials which are acidic by nature is cautioned against.