All Bleach is Not the Same

[CampyTime]

Hi Friends,

Just passing along something I learned today. I went to sanitize my water lines today with the Clorox I had which was a scented version.

It says on label that it will not sanitize or disinfect, that regular bleach must be used. I had no idea, as I used it this spring to sanitize. Guess I never did!

So I googled it and apparently regular bleach is 5% solution of sodium hypochlorite while scented varieties are only 2.75%

Just passing along to try and help others avoid my blunders. I would have never thought so, and was a good thing I felt possesed to read the label today.

Cheers,
Wendy

Sent from my VS985 4G using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[Bobbie Mayer]

It probably can't be strong enough to disinfect or it would kill the fragrance chemicals, too. But what good is it if it doesn't disinfect?

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Bobbie Mayer

But what good is it if it doesn't disinfect?

They claim it does a good job of getting out stains in clothing without damaging colours & makes them smell nice and fresh ..... or something like that.

Clorox does make a regular bleach that does disinfect though.

[CampyTime]

Right. That's what I went out and purchased! Live and learn.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[LyleB]

While I'm thinking that, given enough time, the less concentrated would eventually disinfect, I think they probably don't want the liability of having folks use it for that when so many sources give the instructions based on a 5% solution. They are mostly attempting to not muddy the waters, so to speak.

At least that would be my contention. A 2.75% solution is still stronger than a 5% solution mixed at a 1:10 ratio of bleach to water which is the conventional dilution suggested.

Anyway, regardless of the above, my bigger concern would be adding the additional "scent" chemicals into my water supply - I wouldn't be comfortable with that.

[Kai in Seattle]

Agreed; wouldn't necessarily want to drink water with "woodsy-fresh scent!"

"Lemon-fresh" might be ok, though. 8)

[Roger Kimble]

Swimming pool chlorine is 5% will kill mold on most everything!

[mmeyer]

Originally Posted by LyleB

While I'm thinking that, given enough time, the less concentrated would eventually disinfect, I think they probably don't want the liability of having folks use it for that when so many sources give the instructions based on a 5% solution. They are mostly attempting to not muddy the waters, so to speak.

At least that would be my contention. A 2.75% solution is still stronger than a 5% solution mixed at a 1:10 ratio of bleach to water which is the conventional dilution suggested.

Anyway, regardless of the above, my bigger concern would be adding the additional "scent" chemicals into my water supply - I wouldn't be comfortable with that.

Correct on all of the above.
One standard operating procedure to sanitize new water mains is to add enough Chlorine solution(bleach) to the main and flush that slug(typically greater than 50 ppm) to the other end until you smell the chlorine, let it sit for a day flush it with the normal water(typically 1-3 ppm) then do a bacteria test to prove its OK.For comparison 5% bleach is probably 40,000 ppm. The other issue is that the bleach chlorine constantly looses strength the older it gets so you should probably err on the high side when making the dilutions, just have to rinse more.

[Captleemo]

Ive never used scented chlorine for anything but its nice to know that isn't as strong as the regular stuff.

[Rich and Rei]

Good to know about Clorox.
Didnt know the scented was not as strong-never thought to look.
Thanks for the info.

[CampyTime]

You're welcome. I thought it good info to share as I didn't realize it either. I had used the clean linen scent in spring and I never really disinfected the lines. Oops!

Sent from my VS985 4G using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[Daniel A.]

I made chlorine as my work career even 2.5% will do the job if left a bit longer.

[CampyTime]

I'm sure that's true in the end, but I read the bottle and got the regular bleach. Call me a robot! Anyway didn't rinse enough first time as antifreeze went clear. Another day.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Fiberglass RV mobile app