Sunday, October 23, 2022

Calcium Hypochlorite for Cleaning--An Alternative to Bleach

A previous article focused on using calcium hypochlorite, also known as pool shock, for water purification.  To achieve the correct dilutions for the various cleaning solutions, you must use the same strength of calcium hypochlorite (68-73%) as is used for purifying water.  Calcium hypochlorite is closely related to sodium hypochlorite, common household bleach.  However, it has a couple of distinct advantages.  As a powder, it has a dramatically longer shelf life than bleach.  It takes far less space to store and costs less.  Instead of dashing from one store to the next in a panic to find some bleach, for a few dollars you can have an extremely generous supply stored safely at home.  And you don't have to lug all those bottles.  

With the quantities indicated in the table below, use the calcium hypochlorite powder you purchased to produce a 5% stock solution.  When making the solution, always add the calcium hypochlorite powder to the water.  Never add the water to the calcium hypochlorite.

5% Calcium Hypochlorite Stock Solution
1 ½ cups water
1 teaspoon calcium hypochlorite powder
1 quart
2 ¾ teaspoons
2 quarts
5 ½ teaspoons
1 gallon
10 ¾ teaspoons


This is your bleach equivalent.  It is used just like bleach for laundry or cleaning.  But if you want to be more specific in how to use it, or just want to mix some up for a particular usage, here are some other options:

Sanitizing solution for non-porous food contact surfaces (metal, glass):  Add 1 1/2 teaspoons calcium hypochlorite to 5 gallons of water and mix well.  Solution must maintain contact with surface for at least 2 minutes to sanitize.  Do not rinse with water.  Do not soak overnight.

Sanitizing solution for porous food contact surfaces (wood, plastic):  Add 1 1/2 tablespoons calcium hypochlorite to 5 gallons of water and mix well.  Solution must maintain contact with surface for at least 2 minutes to sanitize.  Do not rinse with water.  Do not soak overnight.

Sanitizing solution for non-food non-porous surfaces:  Add 1 1/2 teaspoons calcium hypochlorite to 5 gallons of water and mix well.  Solution must maintain contact with surface for at least 2 minutes to sanitize.  Do not rinse with water.  Do not soak overnight.

Sanitizing solution for non-food porous surfaces: Add 1 1/2 tablespoons calcium hypochlorite to 5 gallons of water and mix well.  Solution must maintain contact with surface for at least 2 minutes to sanitize.  Do not rinse with water.  Do not soak overnight.

Laundry sanitizer:  Add 1 1/2 teaspoons calcium hypochlorite to 5 gallons wash water and mix well.  Wait 5 minutes, and then add the soap or detergent and mix well.  Add the laundry and let soak for 15 minutes before starting wash cycle in washer. 

Links to related posts:

Calcium Hypochlorite for Water Purification 

References:

https://www.westlake.com/safety_guidelines/WTP_Safety_Guidelines/Label%20EpaML%20748-296%20Zappit%2073%20Service%20Bulletin%20approved%2002-14-2014.pdf
https://theprovidentprepper.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/calcium-hypochlorite-instructions.pdf
https://www.who.int/ihr/publications/Annex7.pdf

 10.19.20

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7 comments:

  1. PNW AfflictionOctober 23, 2022 at 12:05 PM

    Great article! I hope everyone learns calcium hypochlorite really soon. Bleach even with the seal still on, starts diminishing by like 50% every year after the 3rd year, it seems like. (loses its swimming pool smell). I still need to pick up some, as I cycle through what's left of the bleach I grabbed at the onset of 2020 when bleach all but disappeared.

    btw I gave you a shoutout and plug in the 'references' area at the end of my beginner prepper book. So glad we bumped into each other on SP1. Also I started plugging your blog on Gab. So hopefully it brings new folks in. Tons of like-minded preppers there. Cheers and keep up the fantastic work!

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    1. JenniferOctober 23, 2022 at 8:36 PM

      Thanks so much. You're welcome to share the title of your book here if you like.

      Delete
    2. PNW AfflictionOctober 24, 2022 at 9:20 AM

      Thank you Jennifer! It's called "The Bunker Codes: A Beginner’s Guide to Bunkers" I hope some day earning a shoutout, book review (good, bad, or otherwise?), or in the recommended literature section. It would be an honor. :> I'm so happy I found someone else on the same track. I love this in the blog format!

      Delete
  2. blueOctober 24, 2022 at 6:34 AM

    Is there a recommendation for a brand that doesn't have algae killer or blue dye in it? Or would that matter if you are using it solely to clean with vice disinfecting water?

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    Replies
    1. JenniferOctober 24, 2022 at 7:38 AM

      I've never heard of any calcium hypochlorite having blue dye added to it. At the concentrations it is used in, the blue dye would never be noticed. And at concentrations for cleaning, all of the above solutions would kill algae as well as any other bacteria.

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  3. AnonymousNovember 4, 2022 at 2:27 PM

    You don't specify the strength of the initial calcium hypochlorite. Without it your "5% table" is USELESS. "Pool shock" products vary significantly in the percentage of calcium hypochlorite they contain. I've seen at least a 20% variance. Using 1 tsp of 50% calcium hypochlorite pool shock does NOT make the same solution as 1 tsp of 78% calcium hypochlorite pool shock. This is basic high school chemistry 101. This article has the right idea but fails on the execution.

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    Replies
    1. JenniferNovember 4, 2022 at 2:57 PM

      I am sorry for any confusion and have added a sentence to the first paragraph to clarify. The first paragraph did reference a previous article which detailed that the strength of calcium hypochlorite must be 68-70%, the strongest that can normally be purchased.

      Delete

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