The bleaching effect of hydrogen peroxide is based on its oxidizing properties. The donation of electrons by hydrogen peroxide can proceed in aqueous, alkaline solutions in either of two, completely different ways: heterolytically as hydrogen peroxide ion, or homolytically as hydrogen peroxide radical. Most of the colored impurities in cellulosic fibers can be bleached by a heterolytical oxidation without attacking the cellulose, but the homolytical reactions of hydrogen peroxide are liable to cause a chemical degradation of the cellulose. -- AATA