Sodium Hypichlorite

Sodium Hypochlorite is the sodium salt of hypochlorous acid. When dissolved in water it is commonly known as bleach or liquid bleach, and is frequently used as a disinfectant or a bleaching agent. Household bleach is, typically a solution containing 3-8% sodium hypochlorite and 0.01-0.05% sodium hydroxide. The sodium hydroxide is used to slow the decomposition of sodium hypochlorite into sodium chloride and sodium chlorate. In household form, sodium hypochlorite is used for removal of stains from laundry. It is particularly effective on cotton fiber, which stains easily but bleaches well. Most sodium hyphchlorite is sold in aqueous solutions of varying concentrations.