Sanitizing and 7% Sodium Hypo-Chlorate

[Second Chance]

Moved to Plumbing and Water Systems.

Rob

[MtnGuy]

I have read in another forum to not use splash-less bleach due to the addition of sodium hydroxide which is basically caustic soda/lye.

[jkwilson]

I have read in another forum to not use splash-less bleach due to the addition of sodium hydroxide which is basically caustic soda/lye.

All bleach has sodium hydroxide in it. Adding it to water gives sodium ions and hydroxide ions. Mainly raises the pH, which isn’t a problem.

[Fsalmy]

I noted the other day that we had picked up two different bottles of Clorox for the laundry. One was clearly labeled "Disinfecting Bleach". The other was labeled with something like, "Not for Disinfection". I didn't look to see if it was splash-less or not.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Clorox-Di...l-oz/341539270

[Laffofpa]

I have read in another forum to not use splash-less bleach due to the addition of sodium hydroxide which is basically caustic soda/lye.

Good to know, thanks for adding

[Jim and Meresa]

Hi Everyone
My wife and I are on the road January through mid April in our 2022 GD Reflection. I have never used the fresh water tank but will need to as we will occasionally dry camp… so I was getting ready to sanitize it.

My wife noticed the Clorox Bleach I bought is 7.5% Sodium Hypochlorite and the GD owners manual calls for 5% Sodium Hypo-Chlorate

Is this OK to use?

Thank you

Greg

I have a friend that is a water purification specialist and he recommended adding a bottle of hydrogen peroxide to my tank. No bleach taste at all and is pretty simple. I just add a bottle when I fill up the tank.

1. Hydrogen peroxide systems are often better than chlorine at eliminating rotten-egg odor in well water, as it works faster than chlorine.
2. When injected into water, hydrogen peroxide releases a large amount of dissolved oxygen which has a strong oxidizing effect, destroying odors and oxidizing iron and other contaminants.
3. Hydrogen peroxide does not add chemical by-products into your water, only oxygen and water.
4. Water treated with peroxide can be filtered with activated catalytic carbon, which lasts much longer than when carbon used for removing chlorine.

By releasing oxygen atoms into the environment, hydrogen peroxide reacts to the hydrogen sulfide gas molecules, breaking them up into water and small amounts of sulfur dioxide.

Remember that hydrogen peroxide is a much safer method for eliminating hydrogen sulfide rotten-egg odors than a chemical cleaner since it does not contain harmful chemicals that could damage your family's health or the environment.

Link to full article:
https://www.cleanwaterstore.com/blog...tment-is-best/

[Hoopy Frood]

Just to be devil's advocate. The article was on the website of a company that sells hydrogen peroxide equipment for wells, so they may not be 100% unbiased. And I didn't see anything about the anti-bacterial effect although I didn't read the entire article, which is why most people use Chlorox in their water system: for the sanitizing effect more than elimination of odors.

[Jim and Meresa]

Good observations.

H2O2 is a disinfectant as well. It is often used in commercial applications where bleach is not a good solution.
It is actually more effective than bleach. Two reasons I really like it: 1. no taste 2. 32 oz bottle is about $1.00 and is just right to add to a full tank. No rinsing or flushing. I usually add it as soon as I get to the site so it gets to work.

Science Daily has an article about it as well. https://www.sciencedaily.com/release...0701112652.htm

[Hoopy Frood]

That's very interesting. I knew hydrogen peroxide was an excellent disinfectant for cuts and such, but didn't realize it could be used to sanitize the water system in a trailer. I figured the amount necessary to be effective would cost much more than bleach. Seems to be untrue.

[Dick Noble]

Hydrogen peroxide will kill anaerobic bacteria but I'm not sure it will do anything to aerobic bacteria, fungus or viruses. Bleach will kill them all. I'd be careful with too strong a bleach, it might damage your seals.