This page is intended to help students of basic (school-level) chemistry with questions such as:
Common /
Household Name
Chemical Name2,3
Molecular Formula
The type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages - and also some thermometers.
¶ Among other ingredients.
* Trade name (formula found online - see note below)
Used as an automotive antifreeze. Highly toxic.
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 AlnCl(3n-m)(OH)m
Aspirin is a registered trademark owned by Bayer, the generic term is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).
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.
Used in lead-acid batteries for cars and other vehicles. Formerly known as vitriol.
¶ Common "domestic" bleach is often a solution of approx 3–6% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) with "oxygen" and other chemicals.
Sometimes used in products for antiseptic, insecticide, or flame retardant properties. Toxic esp. if ingested or inhaled.
(sodium tetraborate decahydrate)
Used as a multipurpose cleaner and bleach.
(alloy of copper and zinc)
Used to make fixtures, fittings and ornaments. Examples date from the Roman period (history).
(alloy of copper and tin)
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).
(calcium hexametaphosphate¶)
¶ Among other ingredients. Calgon is a brand registered trademark of several corporations. Its name was a combination of the phrase "calcium gone".
* Trade name (formula found online - see note below)
Used in products for cleaning, unblocking sinks, drains and even toilets. Highly corrosive alkali.
Uses incl. blackboard chalk, pavement (or, in USA, "sidewalk") chalk, gymnastics and rock-climbing, and sometimes in toothpaste.
Uses incl. diamond jewellery and diamond glass-cutters.
Drain cleaning product, USA.
¶ Among other ingredients.
* Trade name (formula found online - see note below)
Oven cleaner.
¶ Among other ingredients.
* Trade name (formula found online - see note below)
Natural product. Part of hens' eggs not usually eaten or used in cooking.
Historically various "home" medicinal uses, also traditionally used as ingredient of bath salts.
(40% solution of formaldehyde+)
+also known as methanal, an aldehyde. Used in some products as a disinfectant or anti-bacterial agent.
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.
The "lead" in traditional pencils is a form of graphite.
(calcium sulphate dihydrate)
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.
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.
Generic name: Correction Fluid. ¶ Among other ingredients. The organic solvent 1,1,1-trichloroethane was used as a thinner in the 1980s and later associated with health concerns. Correction fluids were reformulated to remove suspected toxic solvents.
* Trade name (formula found online - see note below)
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.
Used to make ornaments, bathroom or kitchen tiles, some worksurfaces and even steps e.g. outside a front door.
(partially saturated fatty acid)
Used as an ingredient in cooking.
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.
Due to the flammability of naphthalene, modern mothballs use 1,4-dichlorobenzene as main ingredient. Both have the strong, pungent odour associated with mothballs.
Due to the flammability of naphthalene, modern mothballs use 1,4-dichlorobenzene as main ingredient. Both have the strong, pungent odour associated with mothballs.
Naturally occurring non-essential amino acid. Used as a food additive & commonly marketed as a flavour enhancer.
¶ Among other ingredients.
* Trade name (formula found online - see note below)
(alloy of tin, copper, antimony, and lead)
Modern uses incl. decorative objects, historically also tableware, e.g. tankards, plates etc.
Used in construction, incl. interior walls in houses.
Potash is the common name for various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form.
Used in jewellry and ornamental objects incl. many types of crystals, e.g. rose quartz and citrine.
Quicklime (also known as slaked lime) is a white, caustic and alkaline crystalline solid at room temperature.
(dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate¶)
¶ Among other ingredients. Rolaids is a brand of antacid previously also used for muscle soreness and stomach aches associated with constipation.
* Trade name (formula found online - see note below)
Used to season food (during food preparation and at the table), also used in the past as a method of food preservation.
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.
(Sodium bisulphate, with sodium carbonate (and other ingredients)¶)
¶ Among other ingredients. Brand of toilet bowl cleaner popular in USA.
* Trade name (formula found online - see note below)
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.
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.
(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.
(polymer of tetrafluoroethylene, PTFE)
Used as a non-stick coating for cookware and in containers and pipework for reactive and corrosive chemicals.
* Trade name (formula found online - see note below)
Use as a common solvent to dissolve paints, paint thinners, silicone sealants, rubber, printing ink, adhesives (glues), etc.
¶ Among other ingredients. Non-prescription drug for relief from acid indigestion and heartburn. Also considered a calcium supplement.
* Trade name (formula found online - see note below)
(paracetamol (British English); acetominophen (in USA)¶)
¶ Main active ingredient, but other ingredients present.
North American brand of drug for relief from pain, fever, symptoms of allergies, cold, cough, and flu etc.
* Trade name (formula found online - see note below)
(acetic acid, ethanoic acid)
Food seasoning and various household cleaning uses.
(sodium carbonate decahydrate = hydrated sodium carbonate)
Also known as "soda ash". Domestic use as a water softener.
(ammonia¶ plus detergents, dyes and fragrances)
¶ Among other ingredients. Glass and hard surface cleaner, recently reformulated to include more environmentally-friendly ingredients.
* Trade name (formula found online - see note below)
