Dr Engelbert Buxbaum
July 2nd 03, 12:52 PM
> "Jim Brown" > wrote in message
> ...
>
> > I use bleach a great deal. One thing is that I don't like bleach's
> slippery
> > feel. Since bleach is alkaline, I use plain old white vinegar in solution
> > to neutralize the bleach. The bleach smell goes away quicker, and I find
> > the vinegar solution much easier to rinse off.
No, it is most definetly not.
Bleach is produced by dissolving chlorine gas (Cl2) in sodium or
potassium hydroxyde solution. This will form chloride (Cl-, inactive)
and hypochloride (ClO-, the active ingredient). Hypochloride is a
strongly oxydising compound, and hence very active against both
microorganisms and stains.
If you add an acid (like vinegar) to a solution of hypochloride,
chlorine oxyde will form, which is even more oxydising. Its solubility
in water is limited, so some of it will escape as toxic gas, endangering
yourself.
Never, ever mix bleach with acidic solutions.
Thorough rinsing of the cleaned material is probably the best way to get
rid of bleach. In theory, one could also use reducing compounds, but
that is for people who know exactly what they are doing.
> ...
>
> > I use bleach a great deal. One thing is that I don't like bleach's
> slippery
> > feel. Since bleach is alkaline, I use plain old white vinegar in solution
> > to neutralize the bleach. The bleach smell goes away quicker, and I find
> > the vinegar solution much easier to rinse off.
No, it is most definetly not.
Bleach is produced by dissolving chlorine gas (Cl2) in sodium or
potassium hydroxyde solution. This will form chloride (Cl-, inactive)
and hypochloride (ClO-, the active ingredient). Hypochloride is a
strongly oxydising compound, and hence very active against both
microorganisms and stains.
If you add an acid (like vinegar) to a solution of hypochloride,
chlorine oxyde will form, which is even more oxydising. Its solubility
in water is limited, so some of it will escape as toxic gas, endangering
yourself.
Never, ever mix bleach with acidic solutions.
Thorough rinsing of the cleaned material is probably the best way to get
rid of bleach. In theory, one could also use reducing compounds, but
that is for people who know exactly what they are doing.