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What Is Sodium Hypochlorite? Uses, Benefits & Applications

Posted on by jason
21
Jan
If you’ve ever asked what is sodium hypochlorite or what is sodium hypochlorite used for, you’re not alone. Sodium hypochlorite is a powerful chlorine-based chemical used for professional cleaning, disinfection, water treatment, and hygiene control. At 15% strength, it’s significantly stronger than household bleach, which typically sits around 3–6%. As a result, it suits commercial, industrial, and trade applications where performance and reliability matter.
Moreover, sodium hypochlorite has a wide range of uses. For example, people use it for exterior soft washing, jet washing, swimming pool maintenance, agricultural hygiene, and industrial water systems.

What Is Sodium Hypochlorite?

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is the active ingredient in bleach. However, 15% sodium hypochlorite contains far more available chlorine than domestic bleach. Because of that, it delivers faster and more effective disinfection, oxidation, and organic growth removal.
That strength also means you must handle it correctly. So, Sodium Hypochlorite 15% suits professional use where you can control dilution, application, and safety procedures.

Sodium Hypochlorite Uses – What Is It Used For?

For those wondering sodium hypochlorite what is it used for, the answer depends on the industry and application. Below are the most common and effective uses.

Exterior Surface Cleaning (Soft washing & Jet washing)

One of the most popular uses would be Sodium Hypochlorite Patio Cleaner for exterior surface cleaning, particularly soft washing. Contractors and cleaning professionals rely on Sodium Hypochlorite 15% to remove organic growth without damaging surfaces.

  • Patio & Driveway Cleaning – Sodium hypochlorite is highly effective at removing:
    • Black spot lichen
    • Green algae
    • Moss
    • Organic staining

It is suitable for paving slabs, concrete, block paving, tarmac, and brickwork, restoring surfaces.

  • Roof & Render Cleaning – Professional soft wash technicians use sodium hypochlorite to clean:
    • Roof tiles
    • Rendered walls
    • Cladding and building exteriors

Softwashing kills organic growth at the root, helping to prevent regrowth while avoiding damage caused by high‑pressure washing.

Swimming Pool & Spa Maintenance

In the leisure industry, Sodium Hypochlorite 15% is commonly referred to as liquid chlorine. In the leisure industry, people often call Sodium Hypochlorite 15% “liquid chlorine”. Pool operators use it in both domestic and commercial swimming pools because it provides consistent chlorination when used correctly.

Shock Treatment

Pool owners and operators use sodium hypochlorite to rapidly increase chlorine levels. For example, they may shock a pool to:
  • Break down contaminants and organic matter
  • Help control algae growth
  • Support overall water clarity

Automated Dosing Systems

Commercial pools often pair sodium hypochlorite with automatic dosing pumps. This approach helps because it:
  • Delivers consistent dosing
  • Reduces manual handling
  • Supports stable water chemistry

While Sodium Hypochlorite is an incredibly effective sanitizer for swimming pools and spas, its high alkaline nature can cause the water’s pH to rise over time. To ensure your chlorine remains effective and to prevent cloudy water or pipe scaling, we recommend regularly testing your water and using an Alkalinity Reducer to maintain the perfect balance

Water Treatment & Purification

Another key answer to what is sodium hypochlorite used for is water treatment and purification. In particular, it helps disinfect water supplies and control biological contamination.

Well Water Disinfection

People commonly use sodium hypochlorite to shock-dose private wells after contamination. Consequently, it helps restore safe water supplies when used alongside proper testing and guidance.

Wastewater Treatment

Municipal and industrial treatment plants use sodium hypochlorite as a final disinfection stage. Then, they can release treated water back into the environment more safely.

Cooling Towers & Industrial Water Systems

Operators use sodium hypochlorite to control:
  • Biofilm
  • Algae
  • Bacteria
Therefore, it plays an important role in cooling towers, heat exchangers, and closed-loop industrial systems.

Dairy & Agricultural Hygiene

In agricultural environments, hygiene is critical. Sodium Hypochlorite 15% is widely used as a broad spectrum disinfectant.

Milking Parlours & Dairy Equipment

Farmers use sodium hypochlorite to sterilise equipment and high-contact areas. This helps reduce the risk of bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria spreading through the environment.

    • Milking lines
    • Dairy tanks
    • Processing and storage equipment

Livestock Housing & Transport – 

Operators also use it to disinfect livestock areas and transport equipment. As a result, they can maintain stronger hygiene standards across the site.

    • Animal housing and pens
    • Livestock trailers
    • Farm vehicles and equipment

Industrial, Commercial & Facility Cleaning

Sodium Hypochlorite 15% is commonly used in:

  • Warehouses and factories
  • Commercial kitchens and food‑processing areas
  • Storage tanks and drainage systems

When diluted correctly, it provides powerful surface sanitisation where hygiene compliance is essential.

Why Buy Sodium Hypochlorite 15%?

Professional Strength Performance

The high available chlorine content delivers fast-acting disinfection and organic growth removal. In other words, it outperforms standard bleach products for many trade applications.

Multi Purpose Chemical

One product can support multiple applications—from soft washing and pool maintenance to agriculture and water treatment. Therefore, you can reduce the need to store and manage multiple chemicals.

Cost Effective for Trade & Industry

Because it’s available in bulk containers, Sodium Hypochlorite 15% offers strong value for contractors and professional users.

How to find us – Sodium Hypochlorite Near Me

If you’re searching for sodium hypochlorite near you, Palatine Paints & Chemicals can help even if you’re not local to Leigh, Lancashire. We’re a UK based manufacturer and supplier, so you can order online for fast UK wide delivery or arrange collection where available. Additionally, we supply trade and professional customers with consistent product quality, clear safety documentation, and dependable service—whether you need a one-off order or regular bulk supply.

how to find us map

Safety & Handling Information

Due to its strength, Sodium Hypochlorite 15% must be handled carefully:

  • Always wear appropriate PPE, including gloves and eye protection
  • Never mix with acids or ammonia, as this can release toxic chlorine gas
  • Dilute correctly for each application
  • Store in a cool, well‑ventilated area away from direct sunlight
  • Never mix with other chemicals

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is sodium hypochlorite?

Sodium hypochlorite is a chlorine based chemical used for cleaning, disinfection, water treatment, and hygiene control in professional and industrial environments.

What is sodium hypochlorite used for?

It is used for exterior washing, patio and driveway cleaning, swimming pool disinfection, water purification, agricultural hygiene, and industrial sanitisation.

What are the main sodium hypochlorite uses?

Key sodium hypochlorite uses include algae and moss removal, liquid chlorine for pools, dairy equipment sterilisation, wastewater treatment, and biofilm control.

Is sodium hypochlorite the same as bleach?

Yes, but Sodium Hypochlorite 15% is much stronger than household bleach and is designed for professional use.

Is Sodium Hypochlorite 15% safe to use?

When handled by correctly and within the  recommended guidelines, correct dilution and PPE, it is safe and highly effective. It must never be mixed with other chemicals.

Final Thoughts

Understanding what sodium hypochlorite is used for highlights why it remains one of the most versatile and effective professional cleaning and disinfection chemicals available. Sodium Hypochlorite 15% delivers proven performance across softwashing, pools, agriculture, water treatment, and industrial hygiene when used responsibly and correctly.
jason

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