Which bleach for sanitizing?

[Tom]

I used to think that bleach is bleach until one of our forum chemists mentioned that they're not the same. Which is the correct bleach/composition for sanitizing the water system in an RV? I seem to recall it should contain sodium hypochlorite, but apologies to the chemists here if I have it wrong (I never took a chemistry class).

Chris just handed me a bottle of "Clorox citrus blend", but the label gives no clue about the composition. (I thought that was a Federal labelling requirement?)

TIA

 

[Woody3]

Whenever I sanitize my water system I just use plain old Clorox laundry bleach, Of course I run clean wate through the system after that until I no longer smell bleach. I'm still alive so obviously it works.

Woody

 

[Lou Schneider]

"Standard" bleach is 5% sodium hypochlorite.  For sanitizing a RV it shouldn't be perfumed or have other additives.  I usually just buy a bottle of the cheapest stuff I can find.

 

[Ron3]

The Clorox Ultra bleaches or any perfumed bleach is a no no.  We usually can find a acceptable bleach at Smart & Final stores.  Usually the commercial Clorox contains nothing but bleach and is also OK.

 

[Tom]

Thanks folks. Looks like my memory was correct. Sodium hypochlorite aka plain old bleach it is.

 

[Karl1]

The regular liquid "Ultra" bleaches are still o.k. to use as long as they are not designated "color safe" or "all fabric". They're just a higher concentration (5-7.5%) of sodium hypochlorite . Color safe (all fabric), on the other hand, are a totally different composition of sodium carbonate(washing soda), sodium perborate, sodium silicate, and(sometimes) sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate and maybe a few other minor ingredients. I prefer the citrus scented liquid mysef, and when the Kool-Aid smell is gone (please, no remarks about Jonestown ), the water is clear of the bleach too. (edited for spelling errors)

 

[Tom]

I prefer the citrus scented liquid mysef

Thanks Karl, is that the same as the "Citrus blend"? How would I know if there's any sodium hypochlorite in there if it's not included on the label?

 

[Ron3]

Sometime ago shortly after the Clorox Ultra came out I called The number on the old Clorox bottle that we had and asked the question about using the ultra product for sanitizing water systems and was told not to use it but to use industrial Clorox which was still the old formula.  Things might of changed but a phone call could confirm if ir position has changed.

 

[Karl1]

Tom,

I'm very surprised that it doesn't show it on the label. My information comes from the Material Safety Data Sheets which are available to anyone. Just Google clorox bleach msds.

 

[Tom]

I forgot about good old MSDS's. But neither Google nor Clorox' web site could find what I need. I might call them if I have time tomorrow. Heck, if we were at the old place, I could drive to their front door.

 

[Carl L]

Back in the old days in Another Place,? the question came up.? ?I contacted Chlorox and put the question to them.
They responded:?

February 13, 2002

Mr. Carl Lundquist


Dear Mr. Lundquist:

Thank you for telling us about your interest in Ultra CLOROX liquid bleach.

The approximate composition of Ultra CLOROX liquid bleach is as follows:


6.00% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)
5.63% sodium chloride
0.015% sodium hydroxide


The balance of the formula consists of water and inert ingredients.? The pH of undiluted Regular Ultra CLOROX liquid bleach is about 11.4.

Again, thank you for contacting us.? I appreciate this opportunity to discuss our product.

Sincerely,

Maura D. Hannigan
Product Specialist


At the dilutions that we all use the stuff for, ounces per 40 some gallons,? the difference between the two varieties of Chlorox is trivial.

You are well advised, tho, to be sure that the stuff does not have any magic ingredients, just those listed above.?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Strange. Wonder why they put salt (sodium  chloride) in bleach?  Don't see anything that would make me not use it, however.

But I usually find a cheap store brand bleach and those rarely have anything but good old sodium hypochlorite.

 

[Tom]

Thanks Carl, much appreciated. I guess they've changed the forumla, because their web site says 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. Maybe I should pour a few more ounces in the water tank  ;D

 

[Karl1]

Gary,

The salt is there to help maintain the chlorine concentration. Sodum hypochlorite would otherwise break down into partial salt water if left alone.

 

[Tom]

Chris was in the grocery store today and brought home a bottle of good old regular Chlorox. Composition is exactly the way Carl spelled it out. So today I was promoted to Chief Sanitizing Officer, which I suppose is one step better than Chief Sanitation Officer.

 

[Ron3]

Chris was in the grocery store today and brought home a bottle of good old regular Chlorox. Composition is exactly the way Carl spelled it out. So today I was promoted to Chief Sanitizing Officer, which I suppose is one step better than Chief Sanitation Officer.

Congratulations on the promotion Tom. ;D ;D

 

[Tom]

It's only a temporary position Ron and reverts back to the other once the water system has been sanitized  ;D

 

[Ron3]

It's only a temporary position Ron and reverts back to the other once the water system has been sanitized? ;D

Does that mean you loose the pay increase when it reverts too ??? ??? ???

 

[Tom]

What pay?

 

[Ron3]

What pay?

I figured that with a promotion like that your pay shuld have doubled at least. ;D ;D