Cleaning Agents

Classification of Cleaning agents

1. Water
2. Detergents
3. Reagents -Acid cleaners or Alkaline cleaners
4. Solvent cleaners
5. Disinfectants
6. Deodorants
7. Laundry aid
8. Polishes
9. Floor seals
10. Proprietary cleaning agents like Toilet cleaners and Glass cleaners

WATER

Water is not mentioned in the list of cleaning agents. Water is used extensively in cleaning processes. Water is used in making up cleaning solutions and is used for sterilizing at a high temperature.

Water hardness can be temporary or permanent. Temporary hardness of water contains calcium bicarbonate or magnesium bicarbonate. This can be removed by heating water above 72⁰C

Permanent hardness of water is caused by calcium and magnesium sulphate, which cannot be removed by heating. Permanent hardness can be removed by dissolving following alkalis in the water:

• Sodium hexametaphosphate also known as Calgon
• Sodium carbonate known as washing soda
• Ammonia

A water softening unit: Permutit passes hard water through a container filled with resin beads containing sodium ions. The resin has a greater affinity for calcium ions than for sodium ions so an ion exchange takes place; calcium ions are removed from the water and are replaced by sodium ions, which do not cause hardness in water.

DETERGENTS

Detergents work in the following way:

• Reduce the surface tension of water sufficiently to enable it to wet thoroughly
• Dissolve in water
• Loosen & lift out dirt from a surface by emulsifying
• Suspend dirt in solution to prevent it being re deposited
• Rinse away easily
• Perform the above without harming surfaces or user

Detergents are made either from pure soap or synthetic detergents

Soapy detergents may be used as a solid block, for washing skin and cloths, as flakes for washing delicate fabrics, or as a powder, for general purpose washing of soft fabrics.

Soap is made by boiling fat with a strong alkali. The characteristic of soap depends on the fat used e.g. coconut oil provide soap quick to lather, olive oil provides soap which is mild on skin.

Synthetic detergents are used extensively in housekeeping. They are organic chemical derived from petroleum. They can be formulated to suit any cleaning task from washing up to decreasing a factory floor. According to their chemical composition they can be group into following:

Additives (added to detergents)

• Washing soda (sodium carbonate): this softens water & emulsifies fat
• Bleach (sodium perborate): when dissolved in water above 40 degree Celsius, oxygen is given out which reacts with may stains and turn them into colourless substance. The hotter the solution more effective the bleach becomes.
• SCMC sodium carboxymethyl cellulose: this is added to suspend the dirt in solution
• Fluorescent whiteners: to counteract the yellowing of fabrics which occur with age.
• Sodium silicate: assist in suspension of dirt
• Bulk fillers: chemicals added to keep powders dry & free flowing while increasing their bulk & giving better appearance for better value of money
• Lather improvers: assist detergent to retain lather
• Enzymes: occur in biological washing powers. Assist in removing protein stain
• Perfumes: added to cover up the unpleasant smell
• Dyes: usually green or blue added to give good appearance
• Ground pumice: added to detergent to create rough texture which helps in removing stubborn dirt. They can also be grouped as abrasive.

Acid Cleaners

These can vary from acetic acid to corrosive hydrochloric acid. Type & use of acid is given below:

 Alkaline Cleaners

 Alkaline based cleaning agents are used a great deal in laundry and removing grease based stains. Very strong alkalis are known as caustic and may be poisonous. Types and use of alkali are given are below:

 SOLVENT CLEANERS

These cleaning agents are used for dry-cleaning and stain removals. They have strong fumes and should be used in a well ventilated room. Solvents are used for:

• Cleaning grease or polish from surface which may be damaged by water based solutions. Eg – silk fabric, porous floorings.
• Cleaning windows, mirror or pictures as they evaporate
• Present in window and glass polishes
• Present in floor polishes

The following are the main types of solvent cleaners – Percholoro Ethylene, Tricholoro Ethylene (both dry-cleaning agents), Turpentine, Acetone etc.

DISINFECTANTS

Should be used in areas where harmful germs are likely to exist.

Types of disinfectants are :-

1. Halogens – may be added to anionic detergents. Good general purpose disinfectants. Eg – Domestos, Diversol CX
2. Phenolic – Must be used in high concentration for effectiveness. Eg – Dettol, Izal
3. Pine Fluids – not very efficient as easily inactivated

Following rules must be observed while using disinfectants –

• Rinse away detergent solutions thoroughly before using disinfectant
• Wash, rinse and dry all equipments with after use with detergents and disinfectants (Germs cannot breed in dry conditions)
• Remove all unwanted organic matters before using disinfectant
• Use softened water
• The effectiveness of disinfectant may depend on the types of germs present
• Dilute disinfectant accurately
• Allow time for a disinfectant to work. Time needed will depend on the number and type of germs and the strength of the solution
• Never top up a disinfectant solution. Bacteria will survive a disinfectant, may multiply in solution which has deteriorated. If a solution is stored and used later, it may spread germs rather than kill them

DEODERIZERS

They are used for reducing bad smell. They are expensive so good ventilation and thorough cleaning needs to be done for reducing bad smell.

 LAUNDRY AIDS

Stiffening Agents – Improves the appearance of the fabric. The following types of stiffening agents may be used:

1. Boiling Water Starch – the starch grains are mixed with boiling water, they burst and then gelatinize. This thick solution coats the fabric causing it to stick together.
2. Cold Water Starch – Grains are stocked in cold water and the fabric is dried till slightly damp and then ironed. The heat from the iron causes the grains to burst and then filled the gaps in the woven fabric
3. Instant Starch – In this case, the starch grains are precooked giving a finish like boiling water starch
4. Spray Starch – This method of applying starch is very expensive as it requires a large amount. It can be used in case of an emergency

Fabric Conditioners – Like stiffening agents, they coat the fibers which make them smooth. Towels are best washed without conditioners as they reduce the absorption.

POLISHES

Polishes are used to give sheen on the surface from which the light is reflected evenly. They do this by smoothing out any unevenness on the surface of article, as in the polishing of the metals. They also provide a protective layer as in case of floor and furniture polishes. Their compositions may be depending on the surface to be polished.

• Metal Polish – These remove the tarnishes resulting from the attack on the metal by certain compounds in the air. They are fine abrasives which when rubbed on the surface of the metal provide friction to remove the tarnish and produce sheen. In many proprietary metal polishes such as Brasso, Silvo; the abrasive powder is mixed with a grease solvent and in some case, an acid, to help in removal of the tarnish. Jeweller’s rouge is a fine abrasive which is used for polishing metals. Chemically it is known as Iron Oxide. It is used by the jewelers for giving a finishing touch to the gold jewellery. They should be stored with the caps well secured otherwise the solvent content will evaporate and the solution becomes too dry to use.

Points to remember:

1. Protect yourself and the surrounding with paper
2. Work in well ventilated area
3. Use only on appropriate metals
4. Clean the metal surface before applying polish
5. Apply polish with a rag
6. Buff to shine with a duster
7. After polishing, any article to be used with food should be cleaned with detergents
8. Constant use of tarnish remover (Silver Dip) on EPNS damages silver plating
9. Dispose off rags after use as they can increase the risk of fire

• Furniture and Floor Polishes – They are protective finishes which provide the surface of the furniture or floor with a thin layer of wax or resin. It can protect against absorption of spillage and gives a smooth surface from which light may be reflected to give sheen.

 Requirements of a good polish are:

1. Give a hard, dry finish to ensure maximum protection
2. Gives an easily cleaned surface
3. Not mark easily
4. Reduce cost of cleaning and maintenance
5. No unpleasant smell

Furniture polish should only be used occasionally. Unvarnished or unpainted furniture may require feeding with a polish frequently. Furniture polish is applied on clean surface only and may be in form of paste, cream, liquid or spray. They contain wax (to enrich porous surface), solvent (to remove grease), water (to remove water soluble stains) and silicone (to lubricate the polish and provide resistance to water, heat, dust and smears).

The various types of furniture polishes are:

1. Paste (High percentage wax) – suitable for antique wooden surface. Care should be taken to remove all trace of polish from carved surface. Pastes are applied with a rag and then buffed with a duster. A paste may be used on wood which is in poor condition as the high percentage of wax will feed it and help to create sheen. It may give a sticky finish if applied in excess.
2. Cream (High percentage solvent) – Cream polishes should be used on satin or gloss finishes only as they increase the sheen on a surface with continual use. There cleaning power is greater than the paste. Apply with a damp rag and buff with a duster immediately. They are light emulsions of coloured wax in solvent.
3. Liquid (High Percentage solvent): may contain a dye, which is useful for covering up scratches in a varnished surface. Used on glossy surfaces they will help remove light grease marks. Applied with a dry rag & buffed while still wet to produce shine. Eg: French Polish Furniture
4. Sprays/ aerosol (High percentage silicone): these polishes clean and as well polish. This saves time as pre dusting is unnecessary. Used on non porous surface like glass, plastic, gloss painted wood, etc. spray polish is applied & rubbed with duster or may be sprayed directly.

Points to remember:

• Apply to clean surface.
• Use a little and apply with a duster. (too much polish will create a sticky surface which is likely to attract dust)
• Applied with rag (expect spray polish)
• Replace the top of the polish container so that the polish should not dry.
• All furniture polished are used undiluted
• Polishes containing a high percentage of solvent are flammable.

Floor polishes can be: Solvent based or Water based

Solvent based or spirit based:  this may be in the form of a liquid or paste and consists of a blend of waxes dispensed in a solvent. After it has been applied, the solvent evaporates, leaving a layer of wax which is buffed. Floor treated with solvent based polish may dull quickly but will withstand frequent buffing up to restore shine. It is used on porous floor – wood, cork, magnesite, linoleum, etc. The polish can be removed by using solvent based detergents and a nylon web pad under the machine which helps loosing the wax. The loosened wax should be picked up with a mop or wet vacuum pickup.

Water based floor polish: it is in form of creamy liquid and consists of a blend of waxes or resins suspended in water by means of emulsifying agent (ammonia may be used to blend the wax & water). When applied to a floor surface, the water will evaporate leaving a hard firm. Some floor polish may contain anti slip ingredient (colloidal silicon). This polish dries with a shine and may require only little buffing. It is also referred as dry-bright polish. They are applied on semi porous and plastic floor like rubber, vinyl, etc. Disadvantage of using this polish is that it has very less cleaning power.

Points to remember:

• Apply to a clean floor
• Apply to a dry floor
• Rinse floor thoroughly after stripping off old polish using mild acid
• Apply several thick coats of polish rather than one thick coat
• Allow each coat of polish to dry before applying the next
• Ventilate the area
• Use warning signs
• Buff up thoroughly
• Do not used water based polish on porous floor
• Do not used solvent based polish on plastic or semi-porous floor
• Remove any build up of polish with a suitable polish remover and an abrasive pad or disc
• Damp mop floor after spray cleaning to remove any residue
• Clean all equipments after use and store correctly

 FLOOR SEALERS

 Floor seals are semi-permanent finishes applied to a flooring to render it impermeable to protect the surface from dirt, stain and other liquids and to provide an easy to maintain surface. The floor surface must be clean and dry before a seal is applied or it will not ‘key’ to the surface. Five major types of seals are:

1. Oleo resinous seal – are penetrating and coat the surface. They are used on wood, cork flooring etc.
2. One pot (ready to use) plastic seals – do not penetrate the surface and are used for finishing touch. They consist of polyutherane and are used on wood, cork flooring
3. Two pot plastic seal – contain either urea formaldehyde or polyutherane and a hardener. They are used on similar surfaces as above.
4. Pigmented seal – are either synthetic rubber or polyutherance coloured seal and are used on wood or cork flooring
5. Water based seal – provide a plastic skin over the surface and contain acrylic polymer raisins and plasticizers to assist flexibility. They may be used on PVC, rubber, terrazzo etc.

Sealed floorings may be polished with water based polishes.

FLOOR STRIPPERS

These are used to remove a worn out floor finish so that a new sealer or polish can be applied. Most are based on alkalis with a high pH. There are two main types available. One is based on ammonia and the other is a non-automated product. Ammonia has an intense odour and therefore the area treated should be well-ventilated for many days to get rid of the smell. Alkaline detergents with a high pH are  also used as floor strippers. It should be kept in mind that any residual stripper solution needs to be rinsed away thoroughly with a mildly acidic rinse. The ideal way is to add vinegar to the last rinse of water.

CARPET CLEANERS 

These are composed of neutral water soluble solvents, emulsifiers, de-foamers, soil repellants, sanitizers, optical brighteners and deodorizers. They are available as sprays, powders, foams and liquid shampoos.

Use, Care, Storage & Control of Cleaning Agents –

• Indicate the dilution rate if required
• Ensure all tops are secured and containers are kept clean
• Store containers neatly to avoid damage and spillage
• Keep aerosol containers away from hot pipes and radiators
• Ensure shelves are strong enough to bear the weight of containers storing cleaning agents
• Keep the store locked when not in use
• Keep bin cards up to date
• Rotate stock
• Use funnels for dispensing and pre-diluting
• Keep the store well ventilated
• Do not store heavy item on high shelves
• Use dispensers where possible
• Clean the store regularly
• Check stock regularly