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Bleach (chemical) - Definition and Overview |
| Related Words: Acetone, Acid, Acidity, Agent, Alcohol, Aldehyde, Alkali, Alkalinity, Amine, Ammonia, Anhydride, Anion, Antacid, Atom, Base, Basic, Bicarbonate |
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In chemistry, to bleach something generally means to whiten it or oxidize it. A bleach is a chemical that exhibits these properties. Common chemical bleaches include sodium hypochlorite, or "chlorine bleach," and "oxygen bleach," which contains hydrogen peroxide. Bleaching can be a preliminary step in the process of dyeing.
Bleach is commonly used as a disinfectant by homemakers and janitors. Bleach should NEVER be mixed with cleaners containing ammonia; the mixture can create toxic gases and volatile explosives.
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