You have used your bleach by following the correct procedure and you’re now wondering whether the remaining portion will evaporate. Perhaps you’ve applied some of it over a surface and it’s unclear whether it will disappear without actually killing microbes. Those are the issues I am going to address in this article.
Bleach is commonly used as a component of cleaning protocol in facilities such as spayneuter clinics and animal hospitals. It is popular for its capacity to kill a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and fungal hyphae, among other things (and at particular effective dilution, fungal spores). It is particularly beneficial because of its capacity to eliminate viruses that do not have an envelope, such as Canine Parvovirus, Feline Panleukopenia, and Feline Calicivirus.
Does Bleach Evaporate?
No, bleach does not evaporate, but undergoes chemical degradation when exposed to light, air, or the two combined. Bleach is simply a solution of sodium hypochlorite in water. It is the water component that evaporates leaving behind sodium chloride.
The other by products of bleach “evaporating” are oxygen and chlorine gas.
Let me explain this further…
Because sodium hypochlorite is not a volatile compound (cannot easily evaporate at room temperature) but rather a white solid solid at that temperature, it will not evaporate and will instead remain behind as the water evaporates, leaving a white solid residue.
In the form of sodium hypochlorite (formula: NaOCl), bleach is a chemical compound that is soluble in water but does not evaporate. Water is the only substance that evaporates.
What happens as bleach evaporates?
For just a short period, residual bleach tend to remain on the surface as a crystalline film capable of re-dissolving and turning into dust. This is not a cause for alarm, however, because carbon dioxide in the air acidifies and reacts fast with sodium hypochlorite and sodium chloride, leading to the formation of chlorine gas from the bleach and resulting in the formation of sodium carbonate, which eventually turns to sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
To be more specific, bleach interacts quickly with anything that it has the potential to oxidize. It also decomposes on its own, especially in the presence of light. When it reacts, the by-products of the reaction are sodium chloride and oxygen (plus whatever it oxidized). After a short while, any bleach molecules that remain will be completely harmless.
It is important to note that most commercial bleach solutions have a little quantity of sodium hydroxide, which helps to slow down the degradation along the pathways listed above, which is beneficial.
At room temperature, NaOCl decomposes naturally and creates gas as a by-product, producing as much as 1 percent of its weight in gas every day. This gas is largely composed of oxygen; but, at lower pH levels, chlorine gas can also be produced. If the gas (chlorine) by-product of decomposition is not appropriately vented off or kept circulating through the piping system, it might be harmful. Over time, if the gas gets trapped in the piping system or in the liquid end of a pump, it can build up sufficient pressure to cause the piping or pump head to explode. Installing vent valves, ensuring fast movement of liquids, and operating at cooler liquid temperatures can all aid in the reduction of this risk or challenge.
How long does it take for bleach to evaporate?
It takes 10 minutes for bleach to dry out after cleaning. When bleach is exposed to light or when it is mixed with water, it degrades very quickly. Bleach solutions require a minimum of 10 minutes of contact time to be effective in disinfecting surfaces.
Consider increasing the volume of bleach solution used if the bleach evaporates in less than 10 minutes.
The chemical compound bleach is a solution of sodium hypochlorite in water; however, because sodium hypochlorite is not actually a volatile compound but rather a white solid at room temperature, this compound will not evaporate and will instead be left behind while water evaporates, leaving a white solid residue.
What follows is a question on the length of time it takes for chlorine to completely evaporate.
The time it takes for chlorine to evaporate from tap water, for instance, can be estimated based on the amount of chlorine present in the water: It will take up to 110 hours, for 2 parts per million of chlorine to evaporate from 10 gallons of still (non-running) water. The use of ultraviolet light, circulation, and aeration will significantly accelerate the process.
In a similar line of thought, you may wonder how long bleach will be active on a surface.
Diluted portions of household bleach disinfects surfaces in 10–60 minutes of contact time. The diluted bleach solutions are widely available at affordable prices, and can be used to disinfect surfaces in health-care facilities.
How long will bleach smell last?
Generally speaking, bleach left at room temperature (70°F) has a limited shelf life of just one year, after which it should be discarded and replaced with new bleach. If you can’t recall when you purchased your bleach and it doesn’t have a distinct bleach smell, it is very certainly quite old.
Does bleach evaporate in hot water?
Bleach such as Clorox is primarily composed of water: it contains just 6-7 percent active components (such as sodium hypochlorite, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, caustic, and a specific polymer to bind metals), with the remainder (about 93 percent) consisting primarily of water.
Whatever cycle you choose, the bleach active is not evaporating but rather reacting with the stains, dirt and germs in your wash load, regardless of how hot, how warm, or how cold you wash your clothes.
How long will bleach last?
The common bleach brands do not last too long but retain their effectiveness for between three and six months. “After that, they then lose approximately 20% of their strength annually,” says Nancy Bock of the American Cleaning Institute.
After bleach has started degrading, you can’t be certain that it will kill the bad microorganisms you’re aiming for or that it will erase the stains you’re expecting to eradicate. Above and beyond the obvious, correct storage is essential not only for effective cleaning, but also for safety, since it can be a hazard to children and pets.
How to store bleach to prevent evaporation
The secret lies in preparing fresh bleach solutions on a daily basis. As soon as bleach is diluted, it begins to decompose, primarily into salt and water.
Bleach solutions need to be stored in opaque containers and should be prepared fresh at least once every 24 hours, if not more frequently. When bleach is exposed to light or when it is mixed with water, it degrades very quickly.
Quick take: Keep bleach in a secure, cool, and dry location. Keep out of direct sunshine and extreme heat if possible. After each usage, make sure the cap is securely closed. If you’re using it at home, keep it out of reach of youngsters.
1. Keep everything cool, but not too cool
“The best temperature for storing bleach is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Bock, if the material is held at higher temperatures, it loses its strength much more quickly. A cool, dry space away from direct sunlight is the best location for storing bleach.
2. Keep it out of reach of children
Both children and your pets could be harmed by household bleach, which is extremely toxic. Make sure you store the bottle on a high shelf or in a locked cabinet and that you replace it as soon as you finish using it. In addition, if you’re cleaning with bleach, keep children and pets away from the kitchen. According to Bock, when children and dogs and cats come into contact with newly bleached surfaces — for example floors — they may swallow chemicals through unintended touch to their mouths or eyes.
3. Store bleach out of the way until you need it
The containers should be kept out of the way because they can be fragile at times, according to Bock. This will ensure that bottles aren’t accidentally kicked off the shelf. You may even want to place the bleach containers on a non-porous surface, such as an old piece of linoleum, to ensure that a potential spill does not destroy your beautiful tile or shelving.
4. Do not store bleach in a container other than the one in which it was purchased
However, while it is true that bleach looks better in a glass jar or spray bottle, the basic guideline for cleaning goods is to maintain them in their original packaging so that you can easily see the product labels and cautions. Because mixing bleach with other cleaners — particularly those containing ammonia — might result in a potentially fatal reaction, you should never use a container from another cleaner to store bleach. This is especially true if the other cleaner contains ammonia.
5. Put a label on it
Immediately after you open a bottle of bleach, label it with a permanent marker to indicate the date. Because bleach is unable to turn potential biohazards neutral, Bock recommends using up a one-gallon container within three months of opening it or disposing of it altogether after that time. It will be easier to keep track of things if you label the bottle with a clear date.
What Do You Do with Expired Bleach?
What should you do with expired bleach? Bleach that has passed its expiration date should be disposed of. If you have a little amount of useless bleach, you can dispose of it by flushing it down the toilet or down the sink (it breaks down to salt and water, after all). Alternatively, if you have a large amount of garbage, you can contact a domestic waste removal firm to have it removed.
Is bleach still active after drying?
After drying out, bleach will not remain active since its components disintegrate. However, bleach will remain active in the water and continue to bleach for a long time after it has been rinsed away. Various compounds, most of which are sodium-based salts, can be used to neutralize bleach.
Can you leave bleach in shower overnight?
Give bleach enough time to disinfect, destroy mold and mildew spores, and lighten stains by leaving the room for at least 15 minutes. Allow for approximately 10 to 15 minutes for the bleach solution to sit on surface of your bathtub before cleaning it out.
Does Bleach Expire?
Yes, bleach expires. Its expiration date can be between 6 months and 1 year depending on how fast it degrades. The shelf life also varies if bleach is exposed to excess light and air. After 1 year, unexpired bleach loses 20% of its effectiveness annually.