After nearly three years of living in Switzerland, I was fairly sure that bleach could not be found in the north american format: bottled and strong enough to need a ventilation system.
For sure the tab-type is often available. But they are not as strong. And FOR SURE...my ignorance and profound level of self imposed "I wont ask because I'm too proud/shy" also did not help. However, despite the fact that I am blissfully incapable of asking this particular question in german...chance has graced me with her gifts and the quest is now over.
Its very likely that this product has been on the shelves the entire time. But...until I picked up this particular bottle and read its contents...it was to remain an unknown cleaner of some type or another. No...its certainly is bleach and now the apartment wreaks of it. Oh happy day!
Went to a great old-fashioned ironmongers in Neuchâtel the other day- they had large bottle of concentrated bleach- and all sorts of other stuff you can't find in supermarkets- they also had cream of tartar and gave the client buying it the recipe for playdough- and also a great range of natural food flavours, and so much more. They are the shops to go for- hurrah.
That's the best shop ever and that man is so knowledgeable If they haven't got what you want chances are he knows exactly where to get it and can order it for you.
In the village down the road from me, there is the most amazing ironmongers- 4th generation. They are on 2 floors with so many ante-rooms and cellar- and they have EVERYTHING - and if they don't, they know exaclty where to get it quickly. There is another in St Croix! These shops will soon be gone forever- what a terrible shame.
Ttamasle, sorry to burst your bubble, but La Croix Javel has the same concentration of chlorine bleach as all the versions at Migros, Coop, Denner, Aldi, Lidl, Baumarkt, Jumbo, Landi etc.. It's just the same stuff.
The usual Javelwasser should take care of most household needs but if you need something heavy duty to clear drains etc there are dedicated products available too, in most of the supermarkets.
A cheap and good way to clean your drain (without damaging the chrome or using dangerous chemicals) is to dump about 50 g of baking soda down the drain, followed slowy by about 250 ml of apple cider vinegar. Makes a nice volcano and clears stuff rather well. Leave for several minutes and rinse when done. Repeat if necessary. Keep all my drains clear for just a few rappen a year this way.
Again, go to a good ironmongers or drugstore, not Migros or even Denner! If you buy the small sachets to make cake mix, yes it would be very expensive!
3Wishes, one of our daughters bought sink and bath unblocker from the supermarket, to use in a house they were renting- and had to pay to replace all the chrome inlets as they were discoloured and ruined by the products. So thanks for the warning.