Is Bleach an Acid or an Alkali?
Bleach is an alkaline. It is considered hydrocyanic, which has very little to do with acidity or alkalinity processes, but helps to make it one of the strongest alkaline substances.
Bleach is one of the most alkaline substances on Earth, which makes it ideal for a cleaning substance. It is able to use its alkalinity to clean and erode materials that would otherwise not be able to be cleaned. Its strong alkalinity is also able to kill bacteria, mold and fungi. Unlike many other alkaline substances, bleach is not easily neutralized with an acid. The alkaline level of bleach is an astounding 13, only one level below liquid drain cleaner, which is the most alkaline substance.
Bleach is a chemical that must be handled with care. Bleach should never be mixed with anything other than water, which dilutes the bleach and helps make it more neutral. It should never be handled with bare skin and should always be treated as a deadly chemical. Keeping this strong alkaline substance away from acids is one of the easiest ways that people can avoid major problems with bleach, as chlorine gas can be extremely damaging to the skin, the respiratory system and even the circulatory system.
