Common Chemicals found in the Home

• List the common names together with their chemical names and formulae of 20 household chemicals.
  OR
• Identify 20 chemicals in everyday household items (which is a hint to read the "ingredients" labels on packets of cleaning materials, paints and other containers of substances in your home).

or other similar questions, which may ask for more or fewer examples.

Common /
Household Name

Chemical Name^2,3

Molecular Formula

Notes:

Alcohol

ethanol

C₂H₆O

The type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages - and also some thermometers.

Alka Seltzer*

sodium bicarbonate^¶

CHNaO₃

Antifreeze

ethylene glycol

C₂H₆O₂

Used as an automotive antifreeze. Highly toxic.

Antiperspirant

aluminum chlorohydrate

Al₂Cl(OH)₅

Used in deodorants and antiperspirants.
Aluminum chlorohydrate refers to a group of salts of which the molecular formula given is an example.
The general formula is Al_nCl_(3n-m)(OH)_m

Aspirin®*

acetylsalicylic acid

C₉H₈O₄

Aspirin is a registered trademark owned by Bayer, the generic term is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).

Baking powder

sodium bicarbonate^¶

NaHCO₃

Used in baking where it reacts with other ingredients, releasing carbon dioxide (CO₂), helping dough rise.
^¶ Among other ingredients. Some baking powders contain sodium bicarbonate with one or more acidic phosphates

Battery acid

sulphuric acid

H₂SO₄

Used in lead-acid batteries for cars and other vehicles. Formerly known as vitriol.

Bleach (laundry)

sodium hypochlorite^¶

NaClO

^¶ Common "domestic" bleach is often a solution of approx 3–6% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) with "oxygen" and other chemicals.

Boracic acid

boric acid

H₃BO₃

Sometimes used in products for antiseptic, insecticide, or flame retardant properties. Toxic esp. if ingested or inhaled.

Borax

sodium tetraborate decahydrate

Na₂B₄O₇⋅10H₂O

Used as a multipurpose cleaner and bleach.

Brass

alloy of copper and zinc

Cu and Zn

Used to make fixtures, fittings and ornaments. Examples date from the Roman period (history).

Bronze

alloy of copper and tin

Cu and Sn

Other metal elements may also be present. Now used mainly for ornaments, previously various products incl. weapons. Examples date from antiquity, incl. the European "Bronze Age" (approx. 2500BC in Britain).

Calgon®*

calcium hexametaphosphate^¶

(NaPO₃)₆

Caustic soda

sodium hydroxide

NaOH

Used in products for cleaning, unblocking sinks, drains and even toilets. Highly corrosive alkali.

Chalk

calcium carbonate

CaCO₃

Uses incl. blackboard chalk, pavement (or, in USA, "sidewalk") chalk, gymnastics and rock-climbing, and sometimes in toothpaste.

Diamond

carbon

C

Uses incl. diamond jewellery and diamond glass-cutters.

Drano*

sodium hydroxide^¶

NaOH

Easy-off*

sodium hydroxide^¶

NaOH

Egg shells

calcium carbonate

CaCO₃

Natural product. Part of hens' eggs not usually eaten or used in cooking.

Epsom salts

magnesium sulphate

MgSO₄⋅7H₂O

Historically various "home" medicinal uses, also traditionally used as ingredient of bath salts.

Formalin

40% solution of formaldehyde⁺

CH₂O

⁺also known as methanal, an aldehyde. Used in some products as a disinfectant or anti-bacterial agent.

Glycerine

glycerol

C₃H₅(OH)₃

Used in pharmaceutical products, e.g. some cough syrups, expectorants, toothpastes, mouthwashes, skin care products, shaving creams, hair care products, soaps, water based personal lubricants.

Graphite

carbon

C

The "lead" in traditional pencils is a form of graphite.

Gypsum

calcium sulphate dihydrate

CaSO₄⋅2H₂O

Also known as "plasterboard". Used in construction, incl. interior walls in houses. Usually covered in a thin layer of plaster then either paint, wallpaper or tiles.

Lime

calcium oxide

CaO

Less common in modern homes than in the past. Glows when heated; was used in theatres before invention of electric lighting. Health risks on skin contact or inhalation.

Liquid paper*

titanium dioxide^¶

TiO₂

Magnesia

magnesium oxide

MgO

Previously used as a home-remedy to treat various ailments, incl. heartburn and sore stomach, as an antacid, magnesium supplement, and as a short-term laxative, also to improve symptoms of indigestion - not without side effects.

Marble

calcium carbonate

CaCO₃

Used to make ornaments, bathroom or kitchen tiles, some worksurfaces and even steps e.g. outside a front door.

Margarine

partially saturated fatty acid

various

Used as an ingredient in cooking.

Milk of magnesia

magnesium hydroxide

Mg(OH)₂

Prior to availability of modern pharmaceuticals, "milk of magnesia" was used as a home-remedy, incl. as an antacid to neutralize stomach acid, and sometimes as a laxative.

Moth balls

Traditionally: naphthalene

Modern: 1,4-dichlorobenzene

C₁₀H₈

C₆H₄Cl₂

Due to flammability of naphthalene, modern mothballs use 1,4-dichlorobenzene as main ingredient. Both have the strong, pungent odour associated with mothballs.

MSG

monosodium glutamate

C₅H₈NNaO₄

Naturally occurring non-essential amino acid. Used as a food additive & commonly marketed as a flavour enhancer.

Nutrasweet®*

aspartame^¶

C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₅

Pewter

alloy of tin, copper, antimony, and lead

Sn, Cu, Sb & Pb

Modern uses incl. decorative objects, historically also tableware, e.g. tankards, plates etc.

Plaster

calcium hydroxide

Ca(OH)₂

Used in construction, incl. interior walls in houses.

Potash

potassium carbonate

K₂CO₃

Potash is the common name for various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form.

Quartz

silicon dioxide

SiO₂

Used in jewellry and ornamental objects incl. many types of crystals, e.g. rose quartz and citrine.

Quicklime

calcium oxide

CaO

Quicklime (also known as slaked lime) is a white, caustic and alkaline crystalline solid at room temperature.

Rolaids®*

dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate^¶

NaAl(OH)₂CO₃

Salt (Table Salt)

sodium chloride

NaCl

Used to season food (during food preparation and at the table), also used in the past as a method of food preservation.

Sand

silicon dioxide

SiO₂

Various uses incl. building sand, sand for "sand pits" for children to play in, and for use in ornaments e.g. to hold candles upright in suitable containers.

Sani-flush®*

Sodium bisulphate, with sodium carbonate (and other ingredients)^¶

NaHSO₄
with Na₂CO₃

Silica

silicon dioxide

SiO₄

Silica "gel" (which is a solid) is sometimes used as beads packed in vapour-permeable plastic and used as a desiccant to control local humidity, e.g. in product packaging. It is also used in some forms of cat litter products.

Smelling salts

ammonium carbonate

(NH₄)₂CO₃·H₂O

Historic household item: Used in C19th to revive fainting women, still included in First Aid boxes in WWII. Sometimes used in sporting situations and by those feeling faint.

Solder

alloy of tin and antimony

Sn and Sb (compositions of alloys vary)

Soldered joints exist in most consumer electronics products. Solder may also be found in the home if used for home-electronics, e.g. hobby projects.

Sugar (Table Sugar)

sucrose

C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁

Used in cooking. Use as a sweetener.

Teflon®*

polymer of tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

(C₂F₄)_n

Toluol (old name)

toluene

C₇H₈ or
C₆H₅CH₃

Use as a common solvent to dissolve paints, paint thinners, silicone sealants, rubber, printing ink, adhesives (glues), etc.

Tums®*

calcium carbonate^¶

CaCO₃

Tylenol®*

paracetamol (British English); acetominophen (in USA)^¶

C₈H₉NO₂

Vinegar

acetic acid, ethanoic acid

C₂H₄O₂

Food seasoning and various household cleaning uses.

Vitamin C

ascorbic acid

C₆H₈O₆

Essential vitamin.

Washing soda

sodium carbonate decahydrate (hydrated sodium carbonate)

NaCO₃⋅10H₂O

Also known as "soda ash". Domestic use as a water softener.

Windex®*

ammonia^¶ plus detergents, dyes and fragrances.

NH₃