- The NaClO bleaching is characterized in that the bleaching is performed at room temperatures without requiring a heating apparatus such as a steamer, and that the chemical cost is low. However, the disadvantages of the NaClO bleaching include relatively low bleaching whiteness and embrittlement of fabrics.
No particular pH adjustment is required in the NaClO bleaching. The NaClO bleaching is usually employed for bleaching fabrics after Kier-scouring, or for bleaching towels. For towels, the two-step bleaching comprising the NaClO bleaching and the H2O2 bleaching is preformed to obtain full whiteness. The NaClO bleaching is also employed for jeans fade adjustment, etc. Note here that a dechlorination process needs to be provided as in the NaClO2 bleaching. Since 'chlorine free' is a recent trend, like PRTR, a method without using chlorine is being examined. The same applies to NaClO.