What chemical change is in bleach that takes away color?

[LakerGod]

I'm trying to find this answer for my sister. I tried searching online, but with no luck. What chemical(s) is it in bleach that will remove colors from clothes? Thanks in advance.

 

[PsychoAndy]

isnt bleach .01% hydrochloric acid and 99.99% water?

 

[silverpig]

Bleach is a solution of sodium hypochlorite. That's it.

H20 + NaClO

It's obviously the sodium hypochlorite that is the active ingredient.





edit: been a while since I did chem... stupid hydrogen

 

[LanEvoVI]

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy
isnt bleach .01% hydrochloric acid and 99.99% water?

nope, chlorine bleach is mostly sodium hypochlorite (NaClO)

 

[silverpig]

erm, couldn't you just have read the bleach bottle?

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: LanEvoVI

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy
isnt bleach .01% hydrochloric acid and 99.99% water?

nope, chlorine bleach is mostly sodium hypochlorite (NaClO)

yup, it's NaClO

 

[LakerGod]

I know about sodium hypochlorite, but i wasn't postive if it was only that caused colors being removed. There are also different types of bleaches...i hope this applies to all of them.

 

[PsychoAndy]

whoops. my bad. but i remember the dilution of the stuff was around 90%+ water. thats gotta be some strong stuff then...

hey, at least i can remember to go to the nefmeet tomorrow!

 

[StevenYoo]

here's some info
thanks to Google

 

[LakerGod]

Thank You All!

 

[etech]

how stuff works
Check the links at the bottom also.


That's usually a good site to search for questions like that.

 

[LakerGod]

That link rocks, thanks.