Bleach

Bleach is the name given to any chemical used to remove color from fabric or fibers, a process called bleaching, or to clean and disinfect surfaces. It is often a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite, also known as liquid bleach. Many bleaches can kill harmful germs, making them useful for cleaning and sterilizing.

Liquid bleach is powerful enough to destroy DNA, so it is commonly used to clean laboratory equipment. It is also used in swimming pools to keep the water safe and in industries, such as in the bleaching of wood pulp. Bleaches can also help remove mildew, kill weeds, and make cut flowers last longer.

Bleaches work by changing colored substances into colorless ones. Most bleaches are oxidizing agents, which means they can remove electrons from other molecules. Chlorine is a common active ingredient in household bleaches, but because pure chlorine is a dangerous gas, products usually contain hypochlorite, which releases chlorine. There are also non-chlorine bleaches made from peroxides, such as hydrogen peroxide.

Some bleaches are reducing agents and have special uses, like bleaching wool. However, bleaches can also damage natural materials such as cloth and leather, and can be harmful to health if swallowed, inhaled, or if they come into contact with skin or eyes.

History

Long ago, people used sunlight and water to make clothes white by spreading them out in special areas called bleachfields. In the 1700s, new methods using special liquids made from lye and acids were used, but these took many months.

Later, in the late 1700s, scientists in Europe discovered that a gas called chlorine could make fabrics white much faster. One scientist made a liquid called Eau de Javel from chlorine, which became the first commercial bleach. Other scientists later found new ways to use chlorine and other substances like hydrogen peroxide to clean and brighten clothes, which helped improve health and cleanliness in many places.

Mechanism of action

Bleaches can remove color from fabrics and other materials in two main ways. First, they can break the tiny parts in the material that give it color, changing it so it no longer looks colored. This is how bleaches with chlorine or special oxygen groups work. Second, they can change the structure of the material so it can’t hold the color anymore. This is how bleaches with sulfur dioxide work.

Sunlight can also act like a bleach. Bright light, especially from the sun’s violet or ultraviolet rays, can break apart the color parts in materials, making them fade to white or a very light blue.

Bleaches are also good at killing germs because they react with many parts of living things, breaking them down. This makes them very useful for cleaning and disinfecting things like clothes at home, even when the water isn’t very hot.

Types of bleaches

Most bleaches used in homes and industries fall into three main groups: chlorine-based, peroxide-based, and sulfur dioxide-based.

Chlorine-based bleaches are very common in households. They often contain sodium hypochlorite, which is the main ingredient in liquid bleach. These bleaches are used to clean and whiten fabrics, and they can also help keep water safe to drink. Other chlorine-based bleaches include special powders and gases used in different cleaning tasks.

Peroxide-based bleaches use oxygen to clean and lighten colors. Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most well-known types, used in many cleaning products. Other peroxide bleaches include sodium percarbonate and sodium perborate, which release hydrogen peroxide when mixed with water. These are often found in laundry detergents and other cleaning supplies.

There are also bleaches that use sulfur dioxide, though these are less common in everyday use. They work by breaking down colors in materials that need cleaning.

Environmental impact

A report by the European Union found that sodium hypochlorite, a common ingredient in bleach, is safe for the environment in everyday uses. This is because it breaks down quickly in water and does not stay in the environment for long.

However, some industrial bleaching processes can create harmful substances. For example, using certain types of chlorine in factories can make long-lasting chemicals that are bad for health. Even though newer methods have reduced some of these risks, there are still concerns about breathing in harmful fumes.

A study showed that when people use household cleaning products with bleach inside, some harmful chemicals can be released into the air inside homes. These chemicals can build up in the air, especially when using thick liquids or gels. While these chemicals have been linked to health concerns, the amounts found in homes are much lower than safety limits set by health experts.

Disinfection

A solution of household bleach, made by diluting it with water, is often used to clean surfaces and make drinking water safer. A weak mix of bleach and warm water can help clean smooth surfaces before making beer or wine.

Rules set by the US government allow food processing equipment and surfaces to be cleaned with bleach solutions, as long as they are drained well before food touches them. A very diluted bleach solution can fight many bacteria and some viruses in homes. Even special cleaning solutions often use bleach as their main cleaning part, along with added substances to help it work better and smell nicer.

A very dilute rinse with bleach can also help treat gingivitis.

See hypochlorous acid for a discussion of the mechanism for disinfectant action.

Color-safe bleach

Color-safe bleach is a special liquid that helps remove stains and keep colors bright. Instead of using strong chemicals like sodium hypochlorite, it uses hydrogen peroxide. While hydrogen peroxide can kill germs and clean water, the amount in laundry products is not strong enough to fully disinfect clothes. This makes it safe for colored fabrics while still helping to clean and brighten them.

Health hazards

Bleach can be unsafe if not handled properly. If someone swallows bleach, it can harm their throat and stomach. It can also irritate or burn the skin and eyes. Breathing in bleach fumes can irritate the airways. It is important to always use safety gear, like gloves and goggles, when using bleach.

Bleach should never be mixed with certain substances. For example, mixing bleach with vinegar creates a harmful gas. Mixing it with ammonia makes a substance with a very bad smell that can be dangerous. It is important to always follow instructions when using bleach to stay safe.

Main article: Miracle Mineral Supplement

The Miracle Mineral Supplement, sometimes called the Master Mineral Solution, is a bleach mixture that some people wrongly claim can cure many illnesses. This is not true and can be very dangerous.