What are the differences when comparing sodium hypochlorite vs bleach?
Sodium hypochlorite is made up of chlorine and sodium hydroxide. It can be either liquid or solid. When the sodium hypochlorite powder solution is combined with water it creates the solution that is known as bleach. Bleach, on the other hand, is liquid and is simply the finished product that is the result of combining powdered sodium hypochlorite and water. Normally, the concentration of bleach is 5%. Sodium hypochlorite is the chemical component used to create the whitening disinfectant we know as bleach.
Simply put, the difference between sodium hypochlorite and bleach lies in their consistency. Sodium Hypochlorite on its own is the powder substance used to create liquid beach, and bleach is a liquid disinfectant and whitening agent made by combining sodium hypochlorite with water.
Oftentimes, Sodium hypochlorite is the name of the active chemical in typical household chlorine bleach. Sodium hypochlorite is just referred to as bleach, as liquid bleach is the most common use of sodium hypochlorite. However, powdered sodium hypochlorite can be used on it’s own for some applications. Most commonly are used in water purification and in the treatment of pools.