What is the most active ingredient in bleach?

The most active ingredient in bleach is hypochlorite. Bleach typically refers to a solution of sodium hypochlorite when discussing household or industrial applications. Hypochlorite is responsible for the bleaching and disinfectant properties of bleach, as it acts as a strong oxidizing agent.

When hypochlorite comes into contact with stains or microorganisms, it breaks down their chemical bonds, effectively removing color or killing bacteria and viruses. While chlorine is a component of hypochlorite, it is not the active ingredient in the same way that hypochlorite itself is. Hydrogen peroxide is also a bleaching agent, but it is a different chemical and not what is commonly referred to as bleach. Sodium chloride, or table salt, is not active in the bleaching process and does not have these properties. Thus, hypochlorite is specifically considered the most active component within bleach formulations.