As you may know, BleachBit is a powerful, open-source system cleaner designed to help you free up disk space and protect your privacy on Linux and other operating systems. Inspired by popular tools like CCleaner, BleachBit goes beyond simply deleting cache files — it also wipes logs, temporary files, browser history, and application leftovers, ensuring that your system stays lean and secure. Whether you’re trying to recover valuable storage or remove sensitive data, BleachBit makes the process straightforward with just a few clicks.
One of BleachBit’s strongest features is its wide range of supported applications. It can clean junk and unnecessary data from browsers like Firefox and Chromium, office software like LibreOffice, package managers like APT, and even system logs. Additionally, it comes with advanced features like shredding files to prevent data recovery and wiping free disk space, making it useful not only for casual users but also for those who take data security seriously.
What makes BleachBit especially appealing to Linux users is its simplicity and lightweight design. Unlike many cleaning utilities, BleachBit doesn’t overwhelm you with complicated options — its clear interface lets you preview the amount of space you’ll recover and choose exactly what to delete. Whether you’re a desktop user looking to speed up your system or a server admin maintaining clean environments, BleachBit is a reliable and safe addition to your Linux toolkit.
The latest version
The latest version is BleachBit 4.9.2 beta, which has been recently released.
Highlights of BleachBit 4.9.2 beta
- Enhanced Cleaning Capabilities: The new version cleans more files, improving overall system cleanliness.
- Manual Language Selection: Users can now manually select any language, enhancing accessibility.
- Linux Improvements: An AppIndicator icon has been added for Linux users, providing better integration with desktop environments.
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Added support for CTRL+Q and CTRL+W to close the application quickly.
- Multi-User System Support: Detection of running processes is now limited to the same user, improving functionality on multi-user systems.
- Stability and Code Enhancements: Major improvements have been made to stability, the build process, and code cleanup.
- Framework Updates: Significant updates to the Python and GTK frameworks used on Windows, ensuring better performance and compatibility.
For more details and to download the beta version, visit the official release notes.
How to Install BleachBit on Ubuntu and Other Linux Distributions via Flatpak
Flatpak is a versatile package management system that allows applications to run in isolated environments, offering improved security, sandboxing, and cross-distribution compatibility.
BleachBit is available on Flathub — a popular software repository — making installation straightforward and efficient across various Linux distributions. Follow the steps below to install BleachBit via Flatpak.
Step 1: Install Flatpak and Enable Flathub
If Flatpak is not already installed on your system, open your terminal and run the following commands:
sudo apt update sudo apt install flatpak
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoThis will install Flatpak and add the Flathub repository as a trusted source for applications on your Linux system.
Step 2: Install BleachBit using Flatpak
Once Flatpak is properly configured, you can install BleachBit by running the command below:
flatpak install flathub org.bleachbit.BleachBitThis will download and install the latest stable version of BleachBit on your machine.
Step 3: Launch BleachBit
After the installation is complete, you can start BleachBit by entering:
flatpak run org.bleachbit.BleachBitAlternatively, you can launch it from your system’s Applications Menu.
(Optional) Remove BleachBit
If you ever want to uninstall BleachBit and remove its data, use the following command:
flatpak uninstall --delete-data org.bleachbit.BleachBitThis will completely remove the application along with its configuration files from your system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, BleachBit is an excellent tool for keeping your system clean and optimized, and installing it via Flatpak makes the process much simpler and more secure.
With just a few steps, you can have the application up and running on any Linux distribution, without the need for extra configurations.
Thanks to its integration with Flathub, you can be sure you’re getting the latest updates and a smooth installation experience. Whether you’re a casual user or a system administrator, BleachBit via Flatpak provides a quick and efficient solution for cleaning unnecessary files and protecting your privacy.
