Acetone and bleach are two common terms that you might hear in the household as they are effectively used for cleaning. They work tremendously on an individual level but prove dangerous when mixed.
The difference between acetone and bleach is that acetone is a volatile, colorless liquid that is majorly used for cleaning purposes. It is an organic compound represented with the chemical formula C3H6O. On the contrary, bleach is an inorganic compound and a solution of sodium hypochlorite which is toxic in nature and used widely for lightening and cleaning purposes.
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Acetone is an organic compound that is present in the human body in the blood and urine. The chemical formula used for presenting this substance is C3H6O.
Bleach is an inorganic solution of sodium hypochlorite which is used for cleaning and whitening purpose. This substance is categorized into three aspects, based on chlorine, sulfur dioxide, and peroxide.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Acetone | Bleach |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Acetone is an organic compound that was discovered first in the year 1832 | Bleach is an inorganic compound that was first discovered in the year 1785 |
| Chemical Formula | It is represented with the chemical formula C3H6O | It is represented with the chemical formula NaOCl |
| Flammable | It is flammable | It is inflammable |
| Toxic | If consume excessively it may cause irritation | It is comparatively more toxic and can damage the stomach and lungs |
| Solvent | Acetone is a reliable solvent | Bleach is not commonly used as a solvent |
| Affordability | It is available at a more affordable price | It is available at a comparatively less affordable price |
| Use | Effectively use in nail polish and paint remover and as a thinner as well | It is used to remove stains and clean or whiten the surfaces |
What is Acetone?
Acetone is a colorless organic compound that is widely used for household cleaning purposes. This substance is effectively used in paint and nail polish removers.
Due to the chemical structure and property, this substance can dissolve or collapse the other material like paint or grease and hence effectively used in removing paints. Acetone is also called propanone and dimethyl ketone.
What is Bleach?
Bleach is an inorganic solution of sodium hypochlorite majorly used for cleaning purposes. It is represented by using the chemical formula NaOCl.
Bleaches are good oxidizing agents and are effectively used to remove colors. The chemical properties and effectiveness of bleaches may vary from one another to some extent depending on the chemicals and composition used. Bleach is used tremendously for commercial and domestic purposes.
Main Differences Between Acetone and Bleach
- Bleach is comparatively more toxic than acetone. If consume excessively acetone may irritate the skin and eyes. But consumption of bleach can damage the stomach and lungs and can also cause the death of the person. If an individual inhales the bleach fumes then it can damage the lungs.
- Acetone has a high production capacity as it is commonly used in households for cleansing purposes and also use in nail polish and paint remover and hence it is available at affordable prices. While bleach on the other side is available at less affordable prices or higher prices as compared to acetone.
Reference
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022391399700600
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0109564104000776
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
