There are three primary types of stains, according to the Director of R&D for OxiClean’s parent company, Elena Petrovicova: enzymatic sensitive, pH sensitive, and oxidative sensitive. And, Popular Science claims that OxiClean doesn’t work any better than regular detergent on the enzymatic sensitive variety, but works well on the other two. Cool, it’s actually useful, but that doesn’t mean it’s unique.

See, OxiClean’s primary cleaning chemical, the one that makes it work, is sodium percarbonate, which breaks down into a mix of washing soda (sodium carbonate) and hydrogen peroxide, according to LiveStrong. Basically, you could make this stuff yourself if you absolutely don’t want to buy OxiClean, but you don’t have to. These types of cleaners, known as “oxygen cleaners,” have been regularly marketed since the ’70s. OxiClean is nothing new. Well, the brand was first introduced in 1997, but sodium percarbonate has been around for over 100 years. Take that, Mays! …But seriously, rest in peace, OxiClean guy (1958-2009).