What is sodium hypochlorite and where can you buy it?

Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) is on the list of the most useful inorganic chemicals. This product is also known as sodium hypochlorite and sodium salt of hypochlorous acid. What is worth knowing about the properties and uses of hypochlorite? Where and for how much can you buy a ready-made, high-quality NaClO solution?

Sodium hypochlorite: what is it?

When we saturate an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide with chlorine or electrolyze sodium chloride, we obtain a liquid with an intense smell, reminiscent of the smell of bleach. The resulting substance is sodium hypochlorite with the formula NaClO. What are its physical and chemical properties? NaClO is a chemical compound:

• in yellow (sometimes it has a green, straw or aquamarine shade),
• water-soluble,
• at 20°C has a density of 1.2 g/ml,
• strongly alkaline (alkaline),
• corrosive,
• chemically unstable,
• biocidal (antiseptic),
• corrosive to metals.

Broad spectrum of action of sodium hypochlorite

Sodium hypochlorite was known and used on a large scale in Europe already at the beginning of the twentieth century. At that time, this solution was valued mainly for its disinfecting effect. Sodium hypochlorite was used to disinfect surgical instruments, vessels and even wounds. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that this solution effectively eliminates both pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses.

As a corrosive substance, NaClO is corrosive to metals. Sodium hypochlorite solution perfectly removes impurities from various types of surfaces and water bodies (it works perfectly in tanks full of sediments of biological or industrial origin). Hypochlorite is also a strong oxidant and can ignite flammable materials.

What are the uses of sodium hypochlorite?

Currently , sodium hypochlorite solution has found a variety of applications. It is used by producers operating in many industries: food, pharmaceutical, swimming pool. It is also a substance valued in brewing and in the production of washing and cleaning agents for home and industry. Sodium hypochlorite is used to produce:

• bleaches (both specialist bleaches used in the paper industry and household bathroom cleaners),
• cleaning agents,
• preparations for disinfection of swimming pool and drinking water,
• medical antiviral, antibacterial and disinfectant agents,
• modified food starch,
• agents intended for the decontamination of brewing, dairy or water and sewage tanks and installations.

Sodium hypochlorite for disinfection - concentration

On the Polish market, you can find weaker and stronger sodium hypochlorite solutions. What concentration of active chlorine gives the preparations the best properties? For the production of household chemicals and disinfectants used in medicine, a NaClO solution with a chlorine concentration not exceeding 5% is suitable. Stronger solutions of 12-15% are used mainly in industry and where a significant amount of pollution is generated - in public swimming pools or restrooms.

Where can you buy sodium hypochlorite?

There are many producers and intermediaries in the European Union that offer sodium hypochlorite. The sale of a corrosive solution requires the supplier to obtain appropriate permits - NaClO is on the list of hazardous substances. So what should you look for when choosing a sodium hypochlorite seller and where to buy a high-quality solution?

It is worth remembering that it is best to buy chemicals only from proven distributors or manufacturers. Where to get sodium hypochlorite? An online store where the proverbial soap and jam is sold will certainly not be the best choice! It is best to order directly from the manufacturer or through authorized entities. Such companies have the appropriate permits to trade in chemicals and are able to submit a product attestation.

How much does sodium hypochlorite cost - price versus quality of the solution

In the network, you can now find many attractive offers of shops offering the sale of a ready-made solution of sodium hypochlorite. However, dilution of this substance requires professional knowledge and facilities, so before buying a NaClO solution, it is worth making sure where it comes from and whether its content actually corresponds to the data on the label. What to look for when buying hypochlorite? Price certainly cannot be the only selection criterion. When buying chemicals, always read the seller's details and check his credibility first.

How much does sodium hypochlorite cost? The price per liter of a pure 15% solution is on average from a few to several zlotys. Manufacturers individually set prices with companies ordering larger quantities of sodium hypochlorite. Price lists and safety data sheets of various NaClO solutions (5%, 15%) are also available on the Internet, so you can quickly compare their prices, availability and quality. The manufacturers' websites also contain detailed information on the terms of order fulfillment and sodium hypochlorite deliveries.