Bleach cleaners

One may argue with the designation of a bleach cleaner as an APC. Many household surfaces can potentially be damaged by bleach, some due to attack by the bleach itself, some by the high pH necessary to stabilize bleach in the formula. These include painted surfaces, aluminum, some ceramics, and wood. However, bleach formulas serve an important purpose in that they not only clean but also decolorize stains. If a stain cannot be cleaned off a surface it can be made less noticeable by decreasing its color, which the oxidizing action of the bleach does very well. 

Cleaners containing oxygen bleach or peroxides are gaining in popularity. Contrary to the usual trend in developed nations, these products are often in powder form rather than liquid to facilitate delivery of the peroxide (usually in the form of percarbonate), which is very difficult to stabilize in liquid formulation [44]. They are usually aimed at laundry problems, but directions on the label give dilution instructions for use as a cleaner on a variety of hard surfaces as well. Surfactants used in these cleaners are usually anionic or nonionic at low concentrations ( 5%). Oxygen bleach formulas are touted for their greater surface safety, but with the greater safety comes a decreased spectrum of stains that can be bleached. 

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Exposure to oxalates may occur through consumption of certain plants and foods in which they are naturally present (see above). Exposure may also occur through contact with, or inhalation of, commercial products (e.g., bleaches, cleaners) or as a result of accidental ingestion or contact with some commercial antifreeze products that contain ethylene glycol, which is metabolized in vivo to oxalates. 

Most bleach cleaners, however, are simple, water-thin solutions. The most common formulations are a simple combination of hypochlorite bleach, sodium hydroxide (to achieve a pH of 10 to 12), amine oxide surfactant, and a low quantity of perfume. However, despite their simplicity, these types of products are very effective stain removers and disinfectants. 

Three categories of bathroom cleaner are discussed here general bathroom cleaners, mildew removers (with some cross-over to bleach cleaners), and toilet bowl cleaners. Automatic toilet bowl cleaners are not discussed due to the dominance of solid, and not liquid, forms in this group. 

Bleach-free cleaners generally show little effectiveness against the black stains caused by mold/mildew. Bleach cleaners are effective at removing this stain, and... 

Mildew removers are very closely related to the spray bleach cleaners discussed above. The main distinction between general household bleach cleaners and mildew removers is the concentration of bleach. While in the household cleaners the bleach level rarely exceeds 2% available chlorine, in mildew cleaners the level may reach as high as 3%. This is testament to the tenacity of the melanin stain that molds and mildews are able to produce, particularly in porous substrates like grout. Beyond this difference, the types and amounts of surfactants tend to be similar, as are the choice of alkalinity agent and the presence of any builders. 

CioH220, Mt 158.28, (f2l 0.821-0.829, ng 1.432-1.437, a colorless liquid with a fresh, citrus, lime-like floral odor. It may be used for all fragrance purposes, due to its high stability especially for perfuming household products like bleach cleaners. It is prepared by hydrogenation of dihydromyrcenol (see p. 35). 

C10H19N, Mt 153.27, ng 1.425-1.431, df 0.815-0.823, is a clear colorless liquid with a citrus, aldehydic and lemon odor. Due to its remarkable stability in aggressive media it is used to perfume hypochlorite bleach cleaners. 

Table 14.9. Formulation for a bleach cleaner based on hydrogen peroxide ...

Another major category of specialty cleaner is mildew cleaners. Mildew is largely a problem in the bathroom, but it can occur in trash cans, refrigerators, and otha kitchen surfaces. The main focus of mildew cleaners tends to be their use in the bathroom, especially in the shower enclosure. Mildew cleaners are a subset of the general category of bleach cleaners, which were discussed in a previous chapter. 

In Europe and Japan, most sodium hypochlorite is made by chlorine producers. The solutions are made with 12-25% sodium hypochlorite. In western Europe a large number of companies dilute, repackage, and distribute products. Within Europe, the amounts and usage patterns vary widely between countries. Overall, the largest use of sodium hypochlorite in Europe is for household and institutional bleaches, cleaners, and disinfectants. 

Sold as bleach cleaners, a genuine new generation of hypochlorite-based products appeared in 1993 on the European household market. They have been introduced in different fragranced versions (eucalyptus type, lemon, lavender) and sold as gel or 2-in-1 products which clean and disinfect. The typical surfactant level may range up to 3% (where amine oxide and soap are quite often used) combined with a sodium hypochlorite content up to about 2%. 

Uses Surfactant, foaming agent, and conditioner for mg shampoos, dishwash, alkaline cleaners, bleach cleaners, bathroom cleaners, textile and leather processing... 

Stabilizer, foam hard-surface bleach cleaners... 

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