Bleached

Bleached is the term used for something that has been whitened or lightened by exposure to a bleaching agent or light. Bleaching removes color or impurities from a variety of materials and is used in industrial, consumer, and biological contexts. The result is a lighter, often closer to white, appearance.

Chemical bleaching relies on reagents that oxidize or otherwise disrupt pigmented molecules. Common agents include chlorine-based compounds such as sodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite, as well as hydrogen peroxide. Photobleaching refers to color loss caused by light exposure rather than chemical reagents and is a separate phenomenon relevant in photography and neuroscience.

In textiles and paper, bleaching lightens natural fibers or dyes and is a key step in producing white or pale materials. In pulp and paper production, bleaching of wood pulp yields white paper, with historical methods using elemental chlorine now largely replaced by chlorine dioxide and other processes designed to reduce chlorine content. This has led to practices described as elemental chlorine-free (ECF) or totally chlorine-free (TCF) bleaching, driven by environmental considerations to minimize harmful byproducts.

In household and industrial use, the term often refers to household bleach, a solution of sodium hypochlorite used to whiten laundry and sanitize surfaces. Oxygen-based bleaches (such as hydrogen peroxide or percarbonate) are common alternatives and are generally gentler on fabrics. Safety guidelines include avoiding mixing bleach with acids or ammonia, wearing protective gear as needed, and storing products out of reach of children.

In other contexts, “bleached” can describe biological or botanical specimens that have lost pigment, or plants with pale or whitish leaves due to nutrient deficiencies, injury, or disease.