1. What is a Bleach Dilution Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the number of bleach drops needed to achieve a desired concentration in a given volume of water.

Purpose: It helps in preparing accurate bleach solutions for disinfection, sanitation, or water purification purposes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( V_{bleach} \) — Volume of bleach needed (drops)
• \( desired_{ppm} \) — Desired concentration (parts per million)
• \( V_{total} \) — Total volume of solution (liters)
• \( stock_{ppm} \) — Concentration of stock bleach solution (ppm)

Explanation: The formula calculates how much concentrated bleach is needed to achieve the target concentration in the specified volume.

3. Importance of Accurate Bleach Dilution

Details: Proper dilution ensures effective disinfection without being too weak (ineffective) or too strong (potentially harmful).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the desired concentration in ppm, total volume in liters, and stock concentration (default 50,000 ppm for household bleach). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical stock concentration for household bleach?
A: Most household bleach is about 50,000 ppm (5-6% sodium hypochlorite).

Q2: How many drops are in 1 mL of bleach?
A: Approximately 20 drops per mL, but this can vary based on dropper size.

Q3: What are common desired concentrations?
A: For disinfection: 100-200 ppm for surfaces, 2-5 ppm for drinking water.

Q4: Does water temperature affect the calculation?
A: No, but warmer water may cause faster chlorine dissipation.

Q5: How long is the diluted solution effective?
A: Freshly mixed solutions are most effective; replace daily for best results.