As a textile-bleaching agent, sodium chlorite is effective with various fibers. It can be used on cotton, bast fibers, and man-made fibers like nylon, Perlon, Dralon, and Rhovyl. It has an oxidizing effect on many of the natural waxes and pectins found in cellulose fibers. It helps solubilize them and makes the fiber more even and workable. It has the added benefit of destroying natural color matter without attacking the fibers themselves. This makes it useful for making permanent white fabrics without compromising tensile strength.