Cleaning agent
Cleaning agents or hard-surface cleaners are substances (usually liquids, powders, sprays, or granules) used to remove dirt, including dust, stains, foul odors, and clutter on surfaces.[1] Purposes of cleaning agents include health, beauty, removing offensive odor, and avoiding the spread of dirt and contaminants to oneself and others. Some cleaning agents can kill bacteria (e.g. door handle bacteria, as well as bacteria on worktops and other metallic surfaces) and clean at the same time. Others, called degreasers, contain organic solvents to help dissolve oils and fats.[2]
Chemical agents
Acidic
Acidic cleaning agents are mainly used for removal of deposits like scaling. The active ingredients are normally strong mineral acids and chelants. Often, surfactants and corrosion inhibitors are added to the acid.
Alkaline
Alkaline cleaning agents contain strong bases like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. Bleach (pH 12) and ammonia (pH 11) are common alkaline cleaning agents. Often, dispersants, to prevent redeposition of dissolved dirt, and chelants, to attack rust, are added to the alkaline agent.
Alkaline cleaners can dissolve fats (including grease), oils, and protein-based substances.
Neutral
Neutral washing agents are pH-neutral and based on non-ionic
Scouring agents
Scouring agents are mixtures of the usual cleaning chemicals (
Particles are usually smaller than 0.05 mm. Pumice, calcium carbonate (limestone, chalk, dolomite), kaolinite, quartz, soapstone or talc are often used as abrasives, i.e. polishing agents.
Special bleaching powders contain compounds that release
Examples of notable products include: Ajax, Bar Keepers Friend, Bon Ami, Comet, Vim, Zud, and others.
Purposes
Oven cleaners
Traditional oven cleaners contain sodium hydroxide (lye), solvents, and other ingredients,[3] They work best when used in a slightly warm (not hot) oven. If used in a self-cleaning oven, the lye can cause permanent damage to the oven.
Some oven cleaners are based on ingredients other than lye. These products must be used in a cold oven. Most new-style oven cleaners can be used in self-cleaning ovens.
One popular oven cleaner brand in the US is "Easy-Off", sold by
All-purpose cleaners
All-purpose cleansers contain mixtures of anionic and nonionic
, are occasionally added to cleaning products to discourage animals and small children from consuming them.Some cleaners contain water-soluble organic solvents like
All-purpose cleaners are usually concentrated solutions of
All-purpose cleansers are effective with most common kinds of dirt. Their dilute solutions are neutral or weakly alkaline, and are safe for use on most surfaces.
Dishwashing agents
Manual dishwashing detergent
Automatic dishwashing detergents (ADDs)
Laundry detergents
Floor cleaners
Carpet cleaners
Toilet cleaners / hygiene / deodorant products
Toilet bowl cleaning often is aimed at removal of calcium carbonate deposits, which are attacked by acids. Powdered cleaners contain acids that come in the form of solid salts, such as
Drain cleaners
Metal cleaners
Metal cleaners are used for cleaning
For ferrous metals, the cleaners contain
Stainless steel,
Nonferrous metal cleaners contain
For special type of precious metals especially those used for luxury watches and high-end jewelry, special type of cleaning agents are usually used to clean and protect them from the Elements. Some examples of these cleaners include jewelry cleaner from Weiman,[5] watch cleaning solution from HOROCD[6] & even cleaning metal plates from Holland Hallmark.
Glass cleaners
Light duty hard surface cleaners are not intended to handle heavy dirt and grease. Because these products are expected to clean without rinsing and result in a streak-free shine, they contain no salts. Typical window cleaning items consist of alcohols, either
These are composed of organic, water-miscible solvent such as isopropyl alcohol and an alkaline detergent. Some glass cleaners also contain a fine, mild abrasive. Most glass cleaners are available as sprays or liquid. They are sprayed directly onto windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces or applied on with a soft cloth and rubbed off using a soft, lint-free duster. A glass cloth ideal for the purpose and soft water to which some methylated spirit or vinegar is added which is an inexpensive glass cleaner.
Silverware can be freed of silver sulfide tarnish with thiourea, and either hydrochloric or sulfuric acid.
Building facade cleaners
For acid-resistant building facades, such as brick, acids are typically used. These include mixtures of
Environmental impacts
Common cleaning agents
- Acetic acid (vinegar)
- Various forms of alcohol including isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol
- Ammonia solution
- nitrites
- Bleach
- Borax
- Carbon dioxide
- Citric acid
- Freon (e.g. dichlorodifluoromethane) (use is often discouraged due to damaging effects on the ozone layer)
- Soap or detergent
- Sodium carbonate (washing soda)
- Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- Sodium hydroxide (lye)
- Sodium hypochlorite (liquid bleach)
- Sodium perborate
- Sodium percarbonate
- Tetrachloroethylene (dry cleaning)
- Trisodium phosphate
- Water, the most common cleaning agent, which is a very powerful polar solvent
- Xylene (can damage plastics)
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 978-3527306732.
- ISBN 978-1-57444-757-6.
- ^ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/poison/oven-cleaner-poisoning Oven cleaner poisoning, The Mount Sinai Health System, retrieved April 18th, 2021
- ^ a b Christian Nitsch; Hans-Joachim Heitland; Horst Marsen; Hans-Joachim Schlüssler (2007), "Cleansing Agents", Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry (7th ed.), Wiley
- ^ Chan, Tim (13 May 2020). "After Washing Your Hands, Here's How to Clean and Disinfect Your Watches and Jewelry". Rolling Stone.
- ^ DEBBY KWONG, HAYDEN NG. "How to take care of your watches and jewellery". Her World Singapore. Her World Singapore.