Bleking

Bleking is the process of whitening or removing color from materials, achieved by chemical oxidation, reduction, or light exposure. It is used across industries such as textiles, paper and pulp, wood processing, food production, dentistry, and cosmetics, as well as in water treatment and everyday consumer products like hair bleaching.

Common methods include chemical bleaching with oxidizers such as chlorine-based agents (for example sodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite) and hydrogen peroxide. Enzymatic bleaching is used in some textile processes, and ozone bleaching is employed in certain industrial settings. In cosmetics and personal care, peroxide-based formulations are widely used for hair and teeth whitening. In textiles and paper, bleaching aims to remove natural color and produce a uniform whiteness.

The bleaching action typically works by breaking down chromophores—mcolor-causing molecules—through oxidation or other chemical changes, making them less visible or colorless. The choice of method depends on material compatibility, desired whiteness, and cost. Safety and environmental considerations are important: chlorine-based bleaching can generate potentially harmful by-products and requires careful effluent treatment and protective measures for workers; peroxide systems must be managed to control residuals and heat generation.

Linguistically, bleking is the term used in Norwegian and Danish to denote the process of bleaching, while in Swedish the cognate term is blekning. The concept spans several specialized domains, including textile, paper, and cosmetic applications, each with its own industry standards and environmental guidelines.