How Does Chlorine Bleach Work to Clean Clothes?
What Is Bleach? Chlorine bleach is the result of several sophisticated processes. The base component of the solution occurs when chlorine gas is combined with sodium hydroxide to make sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). The chlorine bleach that is manufactured and sold for commercial consumption is available in gallon containers. These gallon containers make up a 5.25 percent solution of sodium hypochlorite mixed with water. Chlorine bleach is essentially salt water with a low-level electric charge. Bleach as a Disinfectant Chlorine bleach is a disinfectant and a stain remover. Because chemical compounds known as chromophores are present in everyday stains and grime, a disinfectant agent is needed to not only eliminate the stain, but remove tough odors as well. First, chlorine bleach attacks germs and bacteria within the fabric and then it interacts with the water to produce hydrochloric acid and atomic oxygen. Because the atomic oxygen interacts with and changes the properties of the aforeme
