After cleaning a polymer spill with rags and kitty litter, any remaining polymer can be removed with water and:

• A. Sodium hydroxide
• B. Household bleach
• C. Ammonia
• D. Citric acid

Answer: (B)

Bleach is an oxidizing cleaner that can break down many polymer residues, making them easier to rinse away with water. After the initial cleanup, applying a dilute bleach solution helps oxidize remaining polymer fragments so water can wash them off more completely, reducing sticky spots and residue. The other chemicals don’t work as reliably for this purpose: sodium hydroxide is a strong base that won’t consistently dissolve polymer residues, ammonia doesn’t oxidize polymers effectively, and citric acid won’t help break down polymer films. So the oxidizing action of household bleach makes it the best pick for finishing the cleanup.