About Bleach Spots

Any substance that removes color from another substance can be referred to as a bleaching agent. Some agents, like the sun, can bleach colors naturally from fabric or human hair. Other man-made and naturally occurring bleaching agents are used for cosmetic or commercial purposes, such as by dentists to whiten our teeth or by hairdressers to bleach hair blond. Bleach is also a popular household chemical used to boost the cleaning power of detergent. Bleach is a powerful but indiscriminate stain remover. If it splashes onto an unintended surface, such as your favorite pair of jeans, it can result in unsightly bleach spots.

Significance

Bleach is a common household cleaner, so the potential for accidental spills is great. Because even household varieties of bleach are extremely potent getting a single drop of full strength bleach on virtually any color-dyed fabric can result in a white bleach spot. Ironically, some fabrics are dyed white, and applying full strength bleach to these fabrics can result in yellow bleach stains. Bleach works on the molecular level to remove stains, so once a bleach spot appears there is no way to reverse the action.

Function

Bleach is one of the most widely used disinfectants in the world. For this reason many restaurants and household kitchens spray their sinks, utensils, cutting boards and food preparation areas with a heavily diluted solution of bleach and water. Homemakers and commercial laundries use bleach as a cleaning additive to remove stains from white fabrics. Many brand name kitchen cleaning products also contain bleach. All of these applications increase the potential for accidental exposure of unintended surfaces such as your clothing, upholstery or carpeting, resulting in bleach spots.

Types

Because common household bleach is composed of sodium hypoclorite, they are frequently referred to as chlorine bleach. These products could more appropriately be referred to as an oxygen bleaches because they bleach stains by releasing oxygen rather than chlorine. Other common household bleaching agents include hydrogen peroxide, found in many hair coloring products, and benzoyl peroxide which is present in many over the counter topical acne medications. All of these types of bleach can cause bleach spots, so care should be take whenever they are handled.

Prevention/Solution

Bleach spots can occur anytime bleach comes into contact with color-dyed fabric, and once the damage is done, it cannot be undone. Because even regular strength household bleach is very potent, it can not only cause bleach spots on your clothing but can actually produce holes in the material. To prevent bleach spots and holes always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions and warnings. Dilute the bleach to the appropriate strength and pour slowly to prevent accidental splashing. Never apply bleach full strength on any fabric. Wipe up any spills immediately and neutralize household bleach with bisulfite, thiosulfite, or hydrogen peroxide.

Warning

Used according to directions household bleach is safe and effective and breaks down into water and common table salt. However, when combined with certain other common household chemicals bleach can produce much more harmful effects than bleach spots. Never mix bleach with any acidic chemical, such as vinegar, which can release chlorine gas, a noxious vapor that can irritate the respiratory membranes, burn the skin and, in high concentrations of 1000 parts per million, cause death.

Resources

• Answers to Household Bleach Questions