I had several gallons of bleach stored (the maximum concentration - there are various strengths so you should check). I opened one up and it didn't smell 'bleachy' so I opened another one and same thing - no 'bleachy' smell. So I'm assuming that bleach loses it's effectiveness after a few years.....
Does anyone know about this? Is this stored bleach useless?
I had to google to confirm what I thought. Yes bleach as an expiry date. It is usually "good" for less then a year. I believe the "pucks" that are used for swimming pools have a longer shelf life.
Are the pool "bleach" products food grade? You know, to decontaminate water.....
I still have to look further into the chemcial structure. In fact no clorine is really "food" grade which is why the level in bleach is usually less then 6% and you only add a few drops for water storage. I would guess that the reason for swapping out stored water is due to the evaporation of the clorine.
I know for my fish when I do water changes I just fill a bucket, wait 24 hours and then the clorine has evaporated. It just takes longer in a sealed environment.
I find my regular bleach only will hold in the cellar about a year to a year an half but I use so much on the farm that its rarely a issue but yes, they do have due dates on them and I try hard to make sure its moved though in rotation..
http://livingmydreamlifeonthefarm.wordpress.com/
“We recommend storing our bleach at room temperatures. It can be stored for about 6 months at temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. After this time, bleach will be begin to degrade at a rate of 20% each year until totally degraded to salt and water. Storing at temperatures much higher than 70 degrees Fahrenheit could cause the bleach to lose its effectiveness and degrade more rapidly. However, if you require 6% sodium hypochlorite, you should change your supply every 3 months.”
I'm the lady you're stuck behind in the grocery store with the over loaded cart filled with cases of tuna, peanut butter, huge bags of rice and the weary looking husband
Are the pool "bleach" products food grade? You know, to decontaminate water.....
Ya, I would never say they are "food" grade, but you do swim in them and kids end up drinking it in a pool from time to time so if used in the proper quantities it should be fine for potable consumption. Google Calcium Hypochorite as thats the form it comes in. Chlorine concentration for a pool to ensure it kills all the germs is usually around 3 - 5 ppm. Any more and it starts to play havock with equipment, and comfort level in the pool.
What you would put in your drinking water I wouldn't know, but I can't say you would enjoy the taste/odour a whole bunch.
There are water purification tablets WITH neutralizing agents (to get rid of the iodine/bromine/chorline odours and tastes) that you may want to look into. Cost a bit more, but beats the heck out of drinking pool water! 🙂
https://www.internationalpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=7738
this should help answer your questions ..its what i use
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DreAB_5kRWQ&feature=autoplay&list=PL0687A60F717AF9AE&playnext=2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2hGc0kKkog&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL0687A60F717AF9AE