Bleaching Powder Acts As a Powerful Disinfectant

Bleaching Powder for Disinfection | lh3.googleusercontent.com

Before discussing the uses and benefits of bleaching powder as a disinfectant, we should understand what the term bleaching implies? Well, bleach can be referred to as any chemical substance used to remove dyes or colours from fabrics. The process of removing the colour of the dye from the fabric with the help of a chemical substance is called bleaching. Bleaching powder is just the generic name given to the solution of sodium hypochlorite. This chemical, called sodium hypochlorite or more commonly known as the bleaching powder, can be easily bought from any retail shops or supermarkets. It is used in the household chores of cleaning and washing. You can even make your solution of bleaching powder by mixing lime with chlorine. However, bleaching powder comes with a limited shelf life and when it is exposed to sunlight and heat, it changes its form and expires. Therefore, make sure you make the most out of the bleaching powder you buy to prevent it from drying and hardening.

Are you wondering how can such bleaching powder for disinfection be used? Well, we will come to that, but first, let us learn about the properties of bleaching powder. Bleaches are oxidizing agents. It has bactericidal qualities and antimicrobial efficacy. That helps fight bacteria and other micro-organisms, like a virus and algae, from the surface on which it is applied. One of the common uses of bleaching powder is to sterilize swimming pools, roadside dumping grounds, etc. Bleaches are also used while washing clothes as it helps to whiten and brighten the white fabrics as well as remove stains from white and coloured ones. However, you should apply the bleaching powder in proportion so that does not damage the dyes of the fabrics in use. Recent studies have shown how bleaching powder acts as a disinfectant to fight the Novel Coronavirus and prevent it from spreading from one place to another.

Bleaches are further categorized into three broad classes based on their demand and usage. These three categories of bleach are comprised of – chlorine-based bleaches, peroxide-based bleaches and sulphur dioxide-based bleaches. All of these have active ingredients like chlorine, oxygen and sulphur dioxide, respectively. Moreover, the above-listed classes of bleaches are used both in industries as well in the households for disinfection as well as for other uses. All these categories of bleaches are manufactured by Aditya Birla Chemicals. one of the top chemical producers in India, i.e.,