Bleach is one of the cleaning products we use most often in our homes. However, there are many misconceptions about bleach. The most common is the idea that bleach is acid. So, is bleach an acid or a base?
What is Bleach?
Bleach is a chemical used for bleaching and disinfecting clothes. It consists of bleach, sodium hypochlorite and other components dissolved in water. Sodium hypochlorite is a strong oxidizing agent and is the main active ingredient in bleach. Since bleach is a strong disinfectant, the use of bleach in our homes is quite common.
Is Bleach Acid or Base?
The thought of whether bleach is an acid or a base can be confusing. However, bleach is basic, not acid. Bleach pH is between about 12 and 13. This value indicates that bleach is a strong base. Since bleach has a high pH value, it can be neutralized by reacting with acids. Therefore, bleach can also be used to neutralize acids.
Use of Bleach
Bleach can be used as a disinfectant. However, since the pH value of bleach is high, it is not suitable for use on some surfaces. In particular, on wooden surfaces, the use of bleach can cause discoloration of the surface and damage to the wood structure. Also, bleach can cause stains on some fabrics. Therefore, before using bleach, it is recommended to check whether the surface and fabric you will use are suitable for bleach.
Does Bleach Damage Laundry?
It is also a frequently asked question whether bleach harms the laundry. Bleach is used to whiten clothes because of its whitening properties. However, if used excessively or misused, bleach can damage the laundry. Bleach can damage the laundry on some fabrics, so it is important to use the bleach correctly when bleaching.
What Is Bleach Good For?
Bleach can be used in many areas due to its disinfecting feature. In particular, it can be used for cleaning areas such as toilets, bathrooms and kitchens in our homes. In addition, due to its whitening feature, bleach can be used to clean the laundry to be bleached.
Considerations When Using Bleach
There are some points to consider when using bleach. First of all, you should not use bleach directly, as bleach is a highly concentrated substance. Using bleach by diluting it with water is important for proper use. Also, it is recommended to wear gloves when using bleach, as bleach has a high pH value.
For those who want to learn more about the pH value of bleach, we list various sources below. Here are some useful links for those who want to research about the pH value of bleach:
- An article published by the Consumer Products and Safety Commission (CPSC) provides information on the pH value of bleach. You can access the article at the link below: https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/5015.pdf
- Within the scope of the "Regulation on Labeling and Packaging of Chemicals" published by the Ministry of Science and Technology, it is obligatory to specify the pH value on the labels of bleach and other cleaning products.
- ChemOrbis website, which publishes news and articles for the chemical industry, has many articles about the pH value of bleach and other cleaning products. You can reach the site from the link below: https://www.chemorbis.com/tr/chemical-urunler/temizlik-urunleri
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bleach acid or base?
Bleach is basic, not acid. The pH value is between about 12 and 13.
Can we use bleach directly?
No, bleach is a highly concentrated substance and should be diluted with water.
On which surfaces is the use of bleach not suitable?
Using bleach, especially on wooden surfaces, may cause discoloration of the surface and damage to the wood structure. Also, bleach can cause stains on some fabrics.
Does bleach damage the laundry?
When used excessively or misused, bleach can damage the laundry. In some fabrics, it may damage the laundry. Therefore, it is important to use bleach correctly.
Is there an alternative to bleach?
Yes, using natural cleaning products at home can be preferred as an alternative to bleach. Natural ingredients such as lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda can be used for home cleaning.
