In the world of cleaning, bleach stands as the undisputed champion. Its seemingly magical whitening power allows us to get rid of tough stains and keep our clothes flawless. But how does it really work?
To understand the power of bleach, we must delve into the wonderful world of molecules. We know that clothing, like any other material, is made up of closely linked molecules, which in turn are made up of atoms.
Furthermore, molecules are not isolated in space, but rather interact with each other through intermolecular forces (van der Waals forces or hydrogen bonding forces).
Dirt also has particles
Going now to the color of clothes, in a simplified way, we can say that they are produced when white light falls on them and the electrons of the atoms absorb a little of their energy, so the light is returned without that energy part.
This explains why the bounced light is not white but colored.
Dirt, in its various forms, also consists of molecules that, when in contact with clothing, can interact with fabric molecules through molecular forces.
Depending on the reaction, there are two main types of stains: transfer and deposition. The first occurs when dirt particles are transferred to clothing through direct contact. A classic example is a food grease stain.
For their part, sedimentation stains form when dirt particles dissolve in a liquid – such as water or oil – and then settle on clothes as the liquid evaporates. A common example is a coffee stain.
Bleach is an electron thief
Now comes the third actor, bleach, whose main component is sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). This chemical compound acts as an oxidizing agent, which means it has the ability to steal electrons from other molecules.
When bleach comes into contact with the stain, sodium hypochlorite molecules in it attack the dye molecules, snatching electrons, breaking bonds and changing its molecular structure.
By losing electrons, molecules undergo a change in their electronic configuration that modifies their ability to absorb visible light, causing the spot to lose its color and become invisible to our eyes. This chemical process is irreversible, because once molecules lose their electrons and change their structure, they can never return to their original state.
In addition to its bleaching ability, bleach also has antiseptic properties, as it is able to eliminate microorganisms. This feature makes it an ideal product for disinfecting surfaces and preventing the spread of diseases.
In fact, when lye was discovered in 1785 by the French chemist Charles- François de PitoletIt was mainly used to disinfect water and prevent the appearance of diseases.
“Beeraholic. Friend of animals everywhere. Evil web scholar. Zombie maven.”