The basic selection of what cleaner to use
is primarily a determination based upon the
soil to be removed and the surface from which
the soil must be removed. The three basic types
of cleaners (acids, alkalies, and solvents)
are designed to work primarily on certain soils
and upon certain surfaces. Soil Choosing the
right cleaner begins by analyzing, the soil
and matching it to the cleaner best designed
to remove it. Some of the common forms of soil
best removed by one of the basic cleaners are
as follows:
Acids AIkalies Solvents Neutral
mineral deposits,
such as: iron, lime buildup, uric acid stains,
rust, scale, water spots, soap deposits
most common forms of soil including dirt,
soot, fats, cooking oils, food stains, baked
on grease heavy grease and oil including machine
grease, engine oils, sludge, paint and varnish
light duty clearing
Surface Choosing the right cleaner also demands
an analysis of the surface to be cleaned. The
three basic cleaners are designed on different
surface areas. The surfaces commonly cleaned
by the basic cleaners are as follows:
Acids AIkalies Solvents Neutral
vitreous china
metal, glass
cement, quarry tile,
fiberplexiglass
glass,
resilient flooring
metal, porcelain,
china, fabrics,
formica, vinyl,
concrete, quarry
tile, removing floor
finish films engines, machine
parts, metal,
machinery all water
washable
surfaces,
floors coated
with finish
Function of a Cleaner’s Components In
order to understand cleaning chemistry, it
is
necessary to know the functions or properties
of the components of a cleaner. These are defined
as follows:
1. Sequestration or Chelation - The removal
or inactivation of water hardness particles
by the formation of a soluble complex.
2. Wetting - The action of water contacting
all surfaces of soil or equipment enhanced through
the use of a surfactant.
3. Penetration - The action of a liquid entering
into porous materials or into crevices, joints
or seams enhanced by the use of a surfactant.
4. Emulsification - The action of breaking fats
and oils into very small particles which are
uniformly mixed with the water used.
5. Deflocculation or Dispersion - The action
of breaking up aggregates of flocs into individual
particles.
6. Suspension - The action which holds up insoluble
particles in a solution.
7. Rinsing - The condition of a solution or
suspension which enables it to be flushed from
a surface easily and completely.
8. Saponification - The action of changing insoluble
animal fats and oils into a soluble soap.
How Cleaners Work
By conditioning the water so there is no additional
soil added to surfaces and so that the effectiveness
of the cleaner is not reduced by hardness in
the water.
By penetrating the soil or wetting it with the
water.
By dissolving as much of the soil as is possible
by the use of an acid, alkali or solvent.
By dispersion or emulsification of the remaining
soil.
By holding the soil in suspension until it is
rinsed away.
Factors Affecting Cleaners The performance of
any selected cleaner may be altered significantly
by any one or a combination of the following
factors:
Water Temperature - Although most detergents
are designed to work in hot or cold water, the
performance of a cleaner can be enhanced by
employing warm to hot water. Extremely hot water
should not be used on highly finished floors
or on carpeting.
Time - The length of time a cleaning solution
is allowed to remain on the surface to be cleaned
can affect the performance of that cleaner.
Typically, the longer the contact time of a
solution the better that solution performs.
Never, however, allow a dirty cleaning solution
to dry on a surface before it can be rinsed.
Chemical Strength - The optimum use dilution
varies with different detergents. Also, the
effect of a reduction in dilution is different
with each detergent. It is Important that the
proper dilution be maintained, and that you
understand how this dilution can be changed
for specific applications.
Mechanical Action - The type of agitation used
may have a direct impact on the cleaners ability
to perform and the use dilution employed. Machine
scrubbing, pressure rinsing and abrasive pads
can improve the cleaners ability to break up
soils and reduce the amount of cleaner needed
or the time to complete the job.
Procedures - The skill level of the user can
also affect the choice of cleaner to be used.
A properly trained staff may be able to use
one cleaner in a variety of applications or
more aggressive cleaners for special cleaning
tasks.
Safety - You should also consider the safety
of employees, equipment and surfaces to be cleaned
in the choice of the cleaner to be used. For
example, strong, acid or alkaline solutions
may require safety precautions and equipment,
as well as care when used on certain surfaces.
Always read the product label and refer to the
Material Safety Data Sheet before using a new
product.
Problem Analysis – When
confronted with an unfamiliar cleaning situation,
determine
the following: 1. The most predominate soil.
2. The most difficult soil to remove. 3.
The
composition of the surface to be cleaned. 4.
The equipment available. 5. The types of
cleaners
already in use.
From this information and the product labels,
you can select a range of cleaners that best
meet the conditions. As a general rule of thumb,
select the least aggressive of the cleaners
and test to see if it will remove the soil.
If not, move to the more aggressive cleaners.
Remember that you can improve the ability of
any cleaner by increasing the water, contact
time and a agitation. Also, depending on the
cleaner, increased water temperature may help.
Always dilute and use the product according
to label instructions.
Whichever cleaner you select, observe safety
precautions at all times and see that the staff
is properly trained in the use of the cleaner.
TYPES OF CLEANERS
Glass
Glass cleaners contain high levels of solvents
(alcohol, glycol ether, ammonia) and low levels
of non-volatiles. This combination of materials
results in good wetting, good oily soil removal
characteristics and non-streaking properties.
Neutral “Neutral” cleaners
are not necessarily chemically neutral. Typically,
they have a use solution pH in the range
of
7-9.5. Neutral products are light duty cleaners
designed for use on any water washable surface.
Floors coated with a floor finish must be
maintained
with a neutral cleaner.
All-Purpose All-purpose cleaners typically
are moderately alkaline products (pH 9-1 1),
usually containing a water miscible solvent
(a glycol ether) for superior oily soil removal
properties. Most spray bottle applications involve
either all purpose or class cleaners. All-purpose
cleaners are generally recommended for any water-washable
surface. However, because of the higher pH and
the solvent content, this type of cleaner should
not be used on a routine basis on floors containing
a floor finish.
All-purpose cleaners are sometimes
called “butyl
cleaners”. Technically, butyl cleaners
contain diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (“butyl
cellosolve”). However, cleaners containing
any member of the glycol ether family are often
referred to as “butyl cleaners”.
Heavy Duty Degreaser Heavy duty degreasers
contain high levels of alkaline builders and/or
solvents which make them suitable for use aggressive
grease/oily soil removal operations. As a typical
example, heavy duty degreasers may be used in
conjunction with autoscrubbers to clean concrete
floors.
Acid Cleaners Acid cleaners are routinely used
to remove mineral and soap deposits typically
found in bathrooms. Acid products are also useful
in removing mineral deposits from quarry tile
floors. The use of hydrochloric (muriatic) based
products is normally limited to heavy build-ups
(iron) in toilet bowls. Products based on safer
acids, such as phosphoric, are commonly used
for all other cleaning applications that require
acid treatment.
