Bleaching is a chemical process used to lighten or remove color from materials, such as fabrics, hair, or paper. It typically involves the use of bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or chlorine, which break down color molecules, making the material appear whiter or brighter. This process is commonly used in laundry to remove stains or in the beauty industry for hair lightening. In addition to household uses, bleaching is also important in industrial applications. For example, the pulp and paper industry uses bleaching to produce white paper products. However, the use of certain bleaching agents can raise environmental concerns, prompting the development of more eco-friendly alternatives.