Sodium Hypochlorite

Product Description

Sodium Hypochlorite 

Sodium Hypochlorite Is Most Often Encountered As A Pale Greenish-yellow Dilute Solution Commonly Known As Liquid Bleach Or Simply Bleach, A Household Chemical Widely Used (Since The 18th Century) As A Disinfectant Or A Bleaching Agent. The Compound In Solution Is Unstable And Easily Decomposes, Liberating Chlorine, Which Is The Active Principle Of Such Products. Indeed, Sodium Hypochlorite Is The Oldest And Still Most Important Chlorine-based Bleach.[7][8]

Its Corrosive Properties, Common Availability, And Reaction Products Make It A Significant Safety Risk. In Particular, Mixing Liquid Bleach With Other Cleaning Products, Such As Acids Or Ammonia, May Produce Toxic Fumes

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Household Bleach Is, In General, A Solution Containing 38% Sodium Hypochlorite, By Weight, And 0.010.05%sodium Hydroxide; The Sodium Hydroxide Is Used To Slow The Decomposition Of Sodium Hypochlorite Into Sodium Chloride And Sodium Chlorate.[34]

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Sodium Hypochlorite Has Destaining Properties.[35] Among Other Applications, It Can Be Used To Remove Mold Stains, Dental Stains Caused By Fluorosis,[36] And Stains On Crockery, Especially Those Caused By The Tannins In Tea. It Has Also Been Used In Laundry Detergents And As A Surface Cleaner.

Its Bleaching, Cleaning, Deodorizing And Caustic Effects Are Due To Oxidation And Hydrolysis (Saponification). Organic Dirt Exposed To Hypochlorite Becomes Water-soluble And Non-volatile, Which Reduces Its Odor And Facilitates Its Removal.

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See Also: Hypochlorous Acid

Sodium Hypochlorite In Solution Exhibits Broad Spectrum Anti-microbial Activity And Is Widely Used In Healthcare Facilities In A Variety Of Settings.[37] It Is Usually Diluted In Water Depending On Its Intended Use. "Strong Chlorine Solution" Is A 0.5% Solution Of Hypochlorite (Containing Approximately 5000 Ppm Free Chlorine) Used For Disinfecting Areas Contaminated With Body Fluids, Including Large Blood Spills (The Area Is First Cleaned With Detergent Before Being Disinfected).[37][38] It May Be Made By Diluting Household Bleach As Appropriate (Normally 1 Part Bleach To 9 Parts Water).[39] Such Solutions Have Been Demonstrated To Inactivate Both C. Difficile[37] And Hpv.[40] "Weak Chlorine Solution" Is A 0.05% Solution Of Hypochlorite Used For Washing Hands, But Is Normally Prepared With Calcium Hypochloritegranules.[3V