Bleach

Bleaches are substances that whiten textiles and paper by chemical reaction. These reactions usually involve processes that degrade color. They may destroy or modify chemical bonds or groups that give fabrics their characteristic colors. This process degrades color bodies into smaller, more soluble units that are easily removed in laundering. Conventional bleaching agents, include two types: chlorine-based bleaches, such as sodium hypochlorite, and peroxygen bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide and sodium perborate.