How does hydrogen peroxide act as bleaching agent?

Solution

H₂O₂ is used as a mild bleaching agent due to the nascent oxygen which it liberates upon decomposition.

straight H subscript 2 straight O subscript 2 space space rightwards arrow space space straight H subscript 2 straight O space space plus space space straight O

The nascent oxygen combines with a colouring matter which in turn gets oxidised.
Colouring matter + [O] → Colourless matter

It is used for the bleaching of delicate materials like ivory, feather, silk, wool etc.

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