There is a number of brands that manufacture cleansing products for cleaning purposes but the question is what chemicals do house cleaners use for cleaning? It all depends on the pH values of cleaning agents.
What is pH?
The pH (potential hydrogen) is the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. The pH scale is divided into steps from 0 to 14, the lower this number, the higher the acidity.
The higher this number, the more alkaline the product. It must be understood that the pH of a solution is adapted to the types of soil that it must clean.
Understanding how the pH scale works will help you choose the right product and reduce unnecessary spending on ineffective cleaning products.
It is important to know that the pH of a concentrate is different from the pH of the solution once diluted in water.
This means that a concentrated product with a pH of 12 can have a pH of around 8 once it is diluted.
It should also be understood that pH is not the only factor that comes into play in the creation of household cleaning products. Different types of cleaners are given below:
- ACID CLEANERS:
Acid cleaners are particularly effective on certain specific stains such as limestone, calcium, oxidation caused by water or air, juice, coffee, rust, accumulation of metals contained in the water.
Be careful, acid products must be used with discernment, they can damage surfaces and alter colors. Acid cleaners have a pH between 0 and 7 on the pH scale.
- NEUTRAL CLEANSERS:
They are used on more delicate surfaces such as painted surfaces, waxed floors, or any other surfaces that are not very dirty, so there is no need to use a powerful and aggressive cleaner.
Neutral cleaners have a pH between 6 and 8 on the pH scale. These are some of the what chemicals do house cleaners use.
- ALKALINE CLEANERS (Basic):
They are very effective on oils and where stains are abundant and stubborn. However, you must be careful, because they may damage the surfaces or the colors of the elements to be cleaned.
Alkaline cleaners have a pH between 7 and 14 on the pH scale. These are the types of Cleaning Agents Used in Housekeeping.
What are Surfactants and How do They Work
A surfactant is a compound capable of lowering the surface tension between two surfaces or two liquids.
The surfactant thus allows a better emulsion of organic liquids with water.
Surfactants are very important and it is often the element that will make the difference between one product and another.
Surfactants help a lot to loosen very stubborn dirt. They are found in all household cleaning products. Without them, the products would be much less effective.
What pH is best for:
- Floors: To clean a waxed floor, a neutral cleaner is used, that is to say with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.
Indeed, acid or alkaline cleaners will attack the film of the floor finish and cause it to degrade more quickly.
An exception, one can use a slightly acidic cleaner (pH 5 to 6) on a regular basis in the winter, to remove whitish traces of calcium on the ground.
Where there is no floor finish, be it ceramic, cement, or other floors, you can use an alkaline cleaner that will be more aggressive on stubborn dirt.
- Wooden floor: A neutral or slightly alkaline detergent will be perfect for these surfaces, pH between 7 and 8.
Be careful, wood absorbs moisture and can change color over time.
The trick to not damaging the wood is to wring out the mop well, this way we minimize the amount of water on the wood and it will dry quickly.
- Carpet: Generally, alkaline cleaners are used to clean carpets. However, the pH must not exceed 12, otherwise, there is a risk of damaging the fiber of the carpet or distorting the colors.
It is always recommended to do a carpet test in an inconspicuous area to ensure there is no unwanted reaction to the cleaner.
Some acidic cleaners with a pH of around 2 are designed to safely remove calcium buildup from driveway mats or car mats.
- Sinks, Baths, Showers: An alkaline cleaner will be recommended for the regular maintenance of sinks, baths, and showers.
However, the accumulation of soap, oxidation of minerals in the water. Cleaning services providers of Idowaz are aware of all such chemicals and they are well known for their services.
Citric acids are the right choices. They are effective and relatively safe for the user. An acid that is too strong may damage chrome surfaces such as taps and water drains.
Always rinse after use to dilute the acid and thus minimize the effect of residual acidity.
- Urinals and Toilets: Acidic products are still the best choice for removing traces of oxidation that can be created over time by water, especially in the presence of hard water.
Citric acids are strong enough for regular maintenance. In extreme cases where there is a strong yellowish or brownish accumulation of metals and oxidation on the walls, the use of chloric acid may be necessary. These are actually what chemicals do house cleaners use.
