The Many Uses of Sodium Hypochlorite a.k.a. Liquid Bleach
Sodium hypochlorite is renowned for disinfecting and decontaminating surfaces. Its uses range from hospital rooms to waste disposal plants. Industrial chemical supplier Bell Chem’s 10%-11% sodium hypochlorite is technical grade. It’s significantly stronger than traditional box-store bleach, which makes it applicable for industrial settings since this percentage readily disinfects. What industries use sodium hypochlorite? Read below to learn about how this inexpensive, effective chemical is used across industries.
Commercial laundry services
The first use of sodium hypochlorite was in France where it was created and readily adapted to bleach cotton. From those humble beginnings, liquid bleach has taken on hundreds of uses. Still, fabric care is one of its most ubiquitous challenges. Commercial laundries rely on the stain-eradicating power of sodium hypochlorite. Clothes laundered in bleach appear whiter and significantly cleaner to consumers. Even better, since it works at room temperature, it is significantly more efficient than introducing high temperatures and less effective chemicals.
Laboratories and chemical factories
Chemical processes demand clean, sanitized surfaces to deter any errors in reactions. Sodium hypochlorite has assumed this role for more than half a century. When added to biological materials, sodium hypochlorite easily inactivates mycobacterium, viruses, fungi, and bacteria for simpler interactions. When lab personnel interact with biological agents, the disposal of those transactions is greatly simplified with sodium hypochlorite. Since liquid bleach easily kills microorganisms, the disposal of used experimental agents is a quick process.
Pool services
Algae growth is a common threat to public and private swimming pools. Liquid bleach rapidly amends pH imbalances (the standard pH of 11% sodium hypochlorite is 13) and kills organisms present in the water through oxidation and disinfection. Slow-acting sodium hypochlorite maintains clear water and deters the buildup of biofilm by keeping botanical growth at bay. Microorganisms are unable to build any defense against sodium hypochlorite, so its continued use will not be bound by biological resistance.
Public water treatment
As water is being treated, sodium hypochlorite neutralizes the odors created by sulfur hydrogen gas and ammonia. Without the addition of chlorine oxidizing the water, most water would not be considered safe to consume. Water treatment professionals and analysts have used a variety of chemicals in countless combinations to bring water to its purest standards. Through their efforts it has been determined sodium hypochlorite embodies the ultimate blend of effectiveness, safety, price, and ease of use.
Bell Chem is an industrial chemical supplier based in Longwood, Florida, (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including sodium hypochlorite. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.