Sodium hypochlorite

[PhilipL]

In NI where I lived till recently every builders' yard sold 20l containers of sodium hypochlorite. It is used for cleaning paving etc. when mixed with water. A very cheap and effective "solution".

I am now in Edinburgh and none of the builders supplies I have called have even heard of it. Any idea where I can get my hands on it?

Philip

 

[Spectric]

Is sodium hypochlorite not just bleach without the perfume, instead of builders look for cleaning material suppliers.

 

[PhilipL]

Called up a couple of places who do cleaning supplies and they have never heard of the stuff. Very odd - it is so easy to get across the Irish Sea.

Ps: it is used in swimming pools but can't find a supplier for them.

 

[sammy.se]

Hi, It's readily available online

 

[PhilipL]

Yes, just looked at ebay and there it is. But still can't understand why it isn't so accessible as in NI.

 

[ChaiLatte]

It is used for cleaning paving etc. when mixed with water..

Ring some of the local patio cleaning/jetwashing companies and ask from where they buy it. Make up a plausible story beforehand.

 

[guineafowl21]

It’s used in the dairy industry, so sold in bulk quantities at agricultural suppliers.

 

[PhilipL]

NI is agricultural - maybe that's why it is well known over there.

 

[isaac3d]

Is sodium hypochlorite not just bleach without the perfume, instead of builders look for cleaning material suppliers.

Just so! Commercial bleach is a solution of sodium hypochlorite (usually about 3 to 5% by weight) plus detergents so it reaches the parts that... well you get the idea, and gelling agents so it sticks to those parts and a bit of perfume so it doesn't just smell of chlorine.

 

[PhilipL]

What I know is that sodium hypochlorite added to a pail of water and washed onto a surface works. Putting normal bleach on paving slabs doesn't.

 

[artie]

A neighbour recommended a product called wet and forget.

He reckons it does the same job but slower and without the damage and pollution.

 

[Dave Moore]

It’s used extensively in cooling towers on steelworks to stop Legionnaires disease and should be available in UK.

 

[clogs]

I worked for a Scottish Chemical company in Manchester......
U could just wonder in and buy a 5 gallon drum of it...
so look at chemical suppliers wholesale.....cheap as chips....or was....

 

[PhilipL]

Edinburgh is not a great place to get materials. Belfast, where I lived, was much better for all kinds of things. Edinburgh just doesn't have a history of engineering or agriculture. Easier to buy a good violin or cello here than a tool.

On alternatives, I think most of these are based on 'chlorus' as a friend calls sodium hypochlorite. But much more expensive. Like boat cleaners based on oxalic acid - using a cheap base in an expensive product to do the same thing.

 

[whereistheceilidh]

Try Glagow. They have a much more industrial heritage and I seem to get anything I need in that line there. The only difficulty for me is the expense of getting it up the road.

 

[Housey210]

In NI where I lived till recently every builders' yard sold 20l containers of sodium hypochlorite. It is used for cleaning paving etc. when mixed with water. A very cheap and effective "solution".

I am now in Edinburgh and none of the builders supplies I have called have even heard of it. Any idea where I can get my hands on it?

Philip

Janitorial or chemical suppliers in your area would be a search idea

 

[isaac3d]

What I know is that sodium hypochlorite added to a pail of water and washed onto a surface works. Putting normal bleach on paving slabs doesn't.

What is the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the product you use?

 

[Trextr7monkey]

Widely available in Cumbria at farmer’s supply stores- used for cleaning dairy milking parlours.

 

[SammyQ]

Try 'milk stone cleaner'. It is the same stuff, near enough. I understand your point about 'Norn Iron' vs Edinburgh. My daughter lives there and the supplies available in even big 'yards' is totally different from 'oor wee place'. There is a fairly good B&Q just off the ring road. Try their online search function to see if "Patio cleaner" is available with them.

 

[redhunter350]

In NI where I lived till recently every builders' yard sold 20l containers of sodium hypochlorite. It is used for cleaning paving etc. when mixed with water. A very cheap and effective "solution".

I am now in Edinburgh and none of the builders supplies I have called have even heard of it. Any idea where I can get my hands on it?

Philip

Hi haven’t read all the posts but you will get it at a farm supply depot, widely use in the industry