Question

Is zeolite safe in dishwashers?

Answer 1

The general chemical formula of zeolite is $N{{a}_{2}}A{{l}_{2}}S{{i}_{2}}{{O}_{8}}.X{{H}_{2}}O$ . Zeolites are called sodium salts of aluminum silicates. Zeolites are crystalline and three dimensional in nature. Zeolites contain small pores.

Complete step-by-step answer: - In the question it is asked is zeolite safe in dishwashers.
- We should know about the zeolites to find whether zeolites are safe in dishwashers or not.
- Zeolites are microporous in nature means contain small-small gaps called pores.
- The small pores will allow the passage of the small molecules through it and won’t allow the big molecules to pass through it.
- Zeolite also called as molecular sieves because of the presence of the pores.
- A lot of different types of zeolites are available in nature.
- Because of the presence of the pores in zeolites we can use them in dishwashers.
- Because zeolites are going to make the waste materials stuck in their pores and remove them from the utensils.
- Therefore it is safe to use zeolites in dishwashers.
- Zeolites are available in nature and we can prepare them in the lab also.

Note: Some examples of zeolite are Erionite and Gemelinite. The sodium metal which is present in zeolite is going to be released in water when zeolites are going to form bonds with different metal ions present in water. Due to this reason zeolites are going to be used in the zeolite process in water purification process to remove hardness causing salts.