Bleach (chemical) - Definition

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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