Sodium percarbonate: what is, uses and advantages

Sodium percarbonate: what is, uses and advantages

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Environmental pollution worldwide is a problem that is aggravated with the passing of the years. Due to this problem, solutions such as the replacement for the use of polluting products are raised by more environmentally friendly products. Thus, sodium percarbonate arises as an alternative that generates a low environmental impact and can have several utilities, either at the industrial level or even in homes. For example, it can be used in the production of detergents and as a bleach.

Next, from Ecology Verde, we want to tell you in this article everything you should know about WHAT IS SODIUM PERCARBONATE, ITS USES AND ADVANTAGES. Keep reading!

What is sodium percarbonate

Sodium percarbonate (of acronym in English SPC) also known as the “emergency oxygen powder”, is a chemical of formula Na2H3CO6 and is formed from a reaction of addition of very common products. One of them is Sodium carbonate (the most commonly known alkaline substance) and the second is Hydrogen peroxide (also known as hydrogen peroxide). Chemically speaking, sodium carbonate is an adduct, that is, a compound formed by the union of two different molecules without structural changes in the portions of each of them.

As for its main characteristics we can mention that it is a solid, crystalline compound, water soluble and hygroscopic (it is capable of absorbing moisture).

Sodium percarbonate has several functions and can be achieved in various stores and even on the Internet under different commercial names. It is usually in the form of white granulated powder.

Are sodium and baking soda bicarbonate the same?

It should be noted that sodium percarbonate should not be confused with sodium bicarbonate, since it is not the same compound. Bicarbonate, Nahco3 chemical formula is a whitish alkaline solid compound that, although it can occur artificially, can be found in nature.

The similarity presented by bicarbonate with percarbonate is its flavor, since they have an alkaline and soft flavor, although this is less strong and salty than in the case of percarbonate. However, its uses are different and bicarbonate, for example, is not usually recommended as chitamanchas in color garments since it can damage its color.

In this other article you can read about the uses of sodium bicarbonate.

Uses of sodium percarbonate

Due to its properties, sodium carbonate is a viable option for home cleaning and its use has increased in various industries due to the advantages it presents. Let us now discover what your most frequent uses are:

  • Disinfectant: Sodium percarbonate can be used in conventional aquaculture production systems since according to studies it has disinfectant properties, antiparasitic effects and regulates the growth of unwanted algae. After placing the SPC in the water, hydrogen peroxide reacts immediately with organic matter and bacteria present, thus improving water quality. If you are interested in this property of this product, you may be interested in knowing this other article on how to make a natural disinfectant.
  • Bleach: Because of its properties, sodium carbonate can be used at home to bleach clothes, tablecloths, reviewers, curtains and other types of textile materials simply dissolving the SPC with water and letting it soak for several hours. As a last instance, the garments must rinse and let dry and thus recover their whiteness and luminosity. Its use in delicate garments is not recommended, since it is a strong product for these fabrics.
  • Stain remover: This compound can also act on the spots and allow garments to recover their colors and brightness. The best thing for these cases is to make a paste of porcarbonate and water and apply it directly on the spots and leave the time that is necessary.
  • Detergent: Sodium percarbonate is able to replace conventional detergents that are pollutants. With it not only can you be washed, but it can also be used to clean various surfaces such as tiles, dishes, kitchen and even toilets. Here we explain ecological detergents: What are, benefits and disadvantages and how to make homemade washing machine.

Sodium percarbonate: what is, uses and advantages - uses of sodium carbonate

Advantages of sodium carbonate

Although sodium percarbonate was not well known a few years ago, currently its use has increased since its use has multiple advantages, would you like to know some of them? Here we present them:

  • It is a product of Quality and purity.
  • It is an economic product since Its price is low.
  • It is easy to acquire since it can be achieved in various shops.
  • Presents a Minimum environmental impact given that It is biodegradable. When decomposing only generates oxygen, water and sodium carbonate.
  • Unlike other products is safe, effective and easy to handle.
  • It is composed of natural raw materials.
  • It does not present No toxic compound harmful to health.
  • Being a granulated powder it can distribute evenly.
  • As disinfectant helps Release organic matter and waste of the bottom of certain water systems.

If you want to read more articles similar to Sodium percarbonate: what is, uses and advantageswe recommend that you enter our category of organic products.

Literature
  • Education, C., & Sustainability, F. “The pros and cons of sodium percarbonate.”
  • Jiménez, Ma, Orrego, SM, Orozco, Al, & Devia, Je (2009). “Process to produce sodium percarbonate on a pilot scale.”
Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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