Cleaning agents are substances, usually liquids, powders, sprays, or granules, t

hat are used to remove dirt, including dust, stains, bad smells, and clutter on
surfaces. Purposes of cleaning agents include health, beauty, absence of offensi
ve odor, avoidance of shame, and avoiding the spreading of dirt and contaminants
to oneself and others. Some cleaning agents can kill bacteria and clean at the
same time.
Types
Acidic
Acidic washing agents are mainly used for removal of inorganic deposits like sca
ling. The active ingredients are normally strong mineral acids and chelants. Oft
en, there are added surfactants and corrosion inhibitors. One common mineral aci
d is Hydrochloric Acid, (also called Muriatic Acid), is typically used for clean
ing swimming pools and concrete. Vinegar can also be used to clean hard surfaces
, and aid in the removal of calcium deposit buildup. Sulfuric acid is added into
domestic acidic drain cleaners to unblock clogged pipes by dissolving greases,
proteins and even carbohydrate-containing substances (like tissue paper).
Alkaline
Alkaline washing agents contain strong bases like sodium hydroxide and/or potass
ium hydroxide. The alkali also dissolves grease, oils, fats, and protein-based d
eposits. Often there are added dispersing agents to prevent redeposition of diss
olved dirt and/or chelants to attack rust on metal parts.
Bleach (pH 12) and Ammonia (pH 11) are also common Alkaline cleaning agents. Whi
le many people believe that mixing cleaning agents together will create a compou
nd that is more powerful, this is false. Mixing cleaning agents such as bleach a
nd ammonia together can be dangerous or fatal .
Neutral
Neutral washing agents are pH-neutral and based on non-ionic surfactants that di
sperse different types of dirt.
Degreaser
Cleaning agents specially made for removal of grease are called degreasers. Thes
e may be solvent-based or solvent-containing and may also have surfactants as ac
tive ingredients. The solvents have a dissolving action on grease and similar di
rt. The solvent-containing degreaser may have an alkaline washing agent added to
a solvent to promote further degreasing. Degreasing agents may also be made sol
vent-free based on alkaline chemicals and/or surfactants.
Common cleaning agents
Water, the most common cleaning agent, which is a very powerful polar solven
t
Ammonia clean glass, porcelain and stainless steel
Borax active ingredient in indoor and outdoor ant baits and killers and used
for killing cockroaches present in some tooth bleaching formulas
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) useful in removing surface rust
Acetic acid (vinegar)
Trisodium phosphate active ingredient in some toilet bowl cleaning tablets
Coke[disambiguation needed] pantanggal ng amoy tsaka rust

See also
Detergent
Parts cleaning
Washing
Parts washer
Panel edge staining
Green cleaning
How Do Cleaning Agents Work?
Cleaning agents and surface treatments clean and prepare surfaces by interacting
or reacting with contaminants and altering their properties. The removal method
s are generally specific to each type; however the end result of each is the rem
oval, loosening, or transformation of contaminants from the surface or material.
Applications
Cleaning agents and surface treatments are used in an endless number of applicat
ions. However, some common examples include the use of industrial cleaners for c
hemical and mechanical equipment, etchants and pickling solutions for metal surf
ace preparation, and surfactants for emulsifying wastewater solids.
USAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Ammonia
-

Can cause severe eye and lung irritation.

If mixed with bleach, can form poisonous chlorine gas.
Use in a well ventilated area.
Do not mix with bleach.
Wear eye protection.

Bleach
- Can produce a poisonous gas if mixed with other cleaners.
- Never mix with toilet cleaners or ammonia.
- Wear gloves and eye protection.
Toilet/Drain Cleaners & Lye
-

Can cause serious burns.

Wear gloves and avoid skin contact.
Never mix with bleach.
Protect eyes from possible splashes

Cleaning Fluids/Degreasers
- May cause skin and eye irritations.
- May contain solvents that can cause headaches, painful cough, dizziness, and l
iver or kidney damage.
- Avoid direct contact.
- Only use in well-ventilated areas.
- Follow label directions carefully.
Aerosol Sprays
- Can irritate nasal passages if inhaled.
- Can cause eye irritation.

- Follow label directions carefully.

- Use in well ventilated area.
Floor Waxes & Furniture Polish
- Can irritate skin and nasal passages.
- Use in well ventilated area.
- Avoid skin contact.
Prior to starting work, all employees handling food must have a medical chec
k-up and hold a personal health check-up. Health check-ups must be performed ann
ually
Employees handling foodstuff must hold certificates showing proof of mandato
ry course on hygiene taken
Ill employees with at least one of these symptoms: diarrhoea, hepatitis, fev
er, sore throat with fever, secretion from nose, eyes or ears, infected or open
wound, contagious dermatitis which can be transmitted through food are not allow
ed to work in places where food is handled
All employees of the enterprise must be informed about rules on hand washing
and follow the rules in their workplaces
Hands must be washed before work, after each break, before starting a new op
eration, having touched decayed foodstuff, various waste, after using the toilet
, after touching money and so on
Hand washing instructions must be placed above wash basins
Disposable towels must be available at every wash basin
Use electric dryers in remises where foodstuff is handled is not allowed
All employees handling foodstuff must have at least three sets of work cloth
es so that dirty clothes can be changed by clean ones
All employees must be introduced to these requirements, regularly instructed, tr
ained and examined. Prevention and control helps to avoid large-scale health dis
orders.
Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradab
le and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum
distillates.
Lemon - one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household ba
cteria.
Borax - (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, clean
s wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax buil
d-up.
Washing Soda - or SAL Soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washi
ng soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks an
d tubs. Use care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on a
luminum.
Isopropyl Alcohol - is an excellent disinfectant. (It has been suggested to
replace this with ethanol or 100 proof alcohol in solution with water. There is
some indication that isopropyl alcohol buildup contributes to illness in the bod
y. See http://drclark.ch/g)
Cornstarch - can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets
and rugs.
Citrus Solvent - cleans paint brushes, oil and grease, some stains. (Citrus
solvent may cause skin, lung or eye irritations for people with multiple chemica
l sensitivities.)
Bleach with Acid Toilet Bowl Cleaners
This mixture can result in toxic, potentially deadly fumes.

Bleach with Vinegar

Vinegar is a type of acid. Toxic chlorine vapor is produced. Don't mix chlor
ine bleach with any acid.
Bleach with Ammonia
Toxic, potentially lethal vapors are produced. The main danger comes from ch
loramine vapors.
Different Brands of One Type of Product
Don't mix different cleaners together. They may react violently, produce tox
ins, or become ineffective.
Highly Alkaline Products with Highly Acidic Products
Acids and bases (alkalis) can react violently, presenting a splash hazard. A
cids and bases are caustic and may cause chemical burns.
Certain Disinfectants with Detergents
Don't mix disinfectants with 'quaternary ammonia' listed as an ingedient wit
h a detergent. The effectiveness of the disinfectant may be neutralized.
ALKALINE DETERGENTS
Uses:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Alkaline detergents are water-soluble alkalis having detergent

properties, but containing no soap.
Usually range in pH from 9 to 12.5.
Used in applications where a strong detergent is required such
as removing water emulsion waxes, scuff marks and heavy
accumulations of dirt.
Generally used for "hard surface" cleaning.
High alkalinity is important in saponifying fats and
neutralizing acids found in many types of dirt.
They are the most used of all cleaning materials.
Some materials used in formulating alkaline detergents include
sodium carbonate, trisodium phosphate, sodium silicate, sodium
tripolyphosphate and to a lesser extent, sodium bicarbonate,
sodium sulphate and certain silicates.
CAUTION: TAKE PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING ALKALINE DETERGENTS ON
LINOLEUM. THESE DETERGENTS CAN REMOVE THE LINSEED OIL
COMPONENT IN LINOLEUM AND ADVERSELY AFFECT THE WOOD FLOUR
COMPONENT.

Advantages:
1. They remove a wider range of dirt and soil than any other type
of detergent.
2. Economical.
3. Can be used with a wide variety of cleaning equipment.
4. Low foam properties in the better alkaline detergents.
Disadvantages:
1. DO NOT ALLOW to remain in contact with the skin for any length
of time. Wear rubber gloves.
2. Alkaline detergents may remove water emulsion floor waxes.
3. Alkaline detergents may also affect pigment by causing it to
fade or yellow.

4.

Some alkaline cleaners (especially those containing sodium

hydroxide) may tend to form soluble salts which crystalize as
efflorescence on the surface.
5. Alkaline detergents must be rinsed thoroughly in order to
prevent a white powdery residue from remaining on the surface.
6. Multiple applications may cause damage to the surface.
7. Contact of bronze or copper with alkaline cleaners will cause
the metals to corrode.
Sample Products:
1. Most common is Trisodium Phosphate (TSP):
NOTE: THIS CHEMICAL IS BANNED IN SOME STATES SUCH AS
CALIFORNIA. REGULATORY INFORMATION AS WELL AS ALTERNATIVE OR
EQUIVALENT CHEMICALS MAY BE REQUESTED FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) REGIONAL OFFICE AND/OR THE STATE
OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.
a. Strong base-type powdered cleaning material sold under
brand names.
b. Other chemical or common names include Sodium
Orthophosphate; Tribasic sodium phosphate; Trisodium
orthophosphate; TSP*; Phosphate of soda*; (also sold
under brand names such as Red Devil).
c. Potential Hazards: CORROSIVE TO FLESH.
d. Available from chemical supply house, grocery store or
supermarket or hardware store.
e. Commercial TSP supplied by Red Devil, Inc., 2400 Vauxhall
Road, Union, NJ 07083-1933, 201/688-6900 or 800/4233845.
2. Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH):
a. A white brittle solid that is a strong caustic base used
especially in making soap, rayon, and paper.
b. Other chemical or common names include Caustic soda*;
Hydrate of soda*; Hydrated oxide of sodium*; Lye*; Mineral
alkali*; Soda lye*; Sodic hydrate*; Sodium hydrate*.
c. Potential Hazards: CORROSIVE TO FLESH AND FLAMMABLE
(WHEN IN CONTACT WITH ORGANIC SOLVENTS).
d. Available from chemical supply house, drugstore or
pharmaceutical supply distributor, hardware store, or
paint store.
3. Potassium Hydroxide (KOH):
a. A white deliquescent solid that dissolves in water with
much heat to form a strongly alkaline and caustic liquid;
used chiefly in making soap and as a reagent.
b. Other chemical or common names include Potassium hydrate;
Caustic potash*; Caustic potassa*; Hydrate of potassa*;
Potassa*.
c. Potential Hazards: TOXIC AND CORROSIVE TO FLESH.
d. Available from chemical supply house, drugstore or
pharmaceutical supply distributor, hardware store, or
garden and lawn supply center.
4. Ammonium Hydroxide or Ammonia (NH4OH):
CAUTION: DO NOT MIX AMMONIA WITH CHLORINE BLEACHES, A
POISONOUS GAS WILL RESULT! DO NOT USE BLEACH ON BIRD
DROPPINGS.
a. A weakly basic compound that is formed when ammonia
dissolves in water and that exists only in solution.
b. Other chemical or common names include Ammonia water*;
Aqua ammonia*; Household ammonia*.
c. Potential hazards: TOXIC; MAY IRRITATE THE EYES.
d. Available from chemical supply house, grocery store or

5.

pharmaceutical supply distributor, or hardware store.

Spic 'n' Span (Procter & Gamble Co.)

ACID CLEANERS
Uses:
1. Composed primarily of compounds based on phosphoric acid,
sodium bisulphate, oxalic acid, gluconic acid and hydrochloric
acid.
2. Acid cleaners are usually formulated as aqueous solutions.
3. DO NOT ALLOW acids to come in contact with skin or clothing.
Protect hands by wearing rubber gloves. Wash with soapy water
immediately if skin comes in contact with an acid cleaner.
4. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is the most commonly used acid cleaner
and the only cleaner known not to leave soluble salts in
masonry; usually applied in a 2-5% dilute water solution.
CAUTION: ACID CLEANERS CAN BE DETRIMENTAL TO MANY TYPES OF
SURFACES SUCH AS PAINT, STAINLESS STEEL, ALUMINUM AND ALMOST
ALL FLOOR TYPES.
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE ON LIMESTONE, MARBLE OR LIGHT-COLORED
BRICK, UNLESS APPLIED IN VERY LOW CONCENTRATIONS (3%) AND
RINSED IMMEDIATELY WITH COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF WATER.
NEVER USE ACID CLEANERS IN COMBINATION WITH BLEACH OR
HYPOCHLORITE SOLUTIONS. THIS COMBINATION WILL PRODUCE A TOXIC
CHLORINE GAS.
Advantages:
1. Effective in removing cement, plaster or concrete spill
because acids will attack alkaline materials.
2. Suitable for use on sandstone and granite.
Disadvantages:
1. Acids may damage surrounding materials such as glass, bronze,
painted surfaces, wood, limestone and marble, vegetation and
humans.
2. Disposal of run-off must be carefully controlled.
3. Drainage of toxic chemicals may not be permissible in some
cities.
Sample Products:
1. Weak acids include white vinegar (acetic acid) and lemon juice
(citric acid)
2. Rust removers - usually contain oxalic acid; "Zud"
3. Cleaning products for removing hard water deposits - usually
contain phosphoric acid
4. Toilet bowl cleaners - usually contain diluted concentrations
of hydrochloric and sulfuric acids