I.

INTRODUCTION

There are many dangerous chemicals in our surroundings; most of

them can be located inside our own homes. Almost every household would

contain cleaning liquids like liquid detergent, mildew removers, insecticides

and many other harmful chemicals; that is the reason why we decided to

focus this investigatory project on creating an eco- friendly cleaning solution.

The problem of the modern world is that we have created far too much

hazardous chemical since it does the daily chores, like that of scrubbing the

floor, in a faster and easier pace, unknowing that this can harm the ozone

layer. Our investigatory project aims to create an environment- friendly

cleaning solution using citrus peelings and some of its extracts. With this

investigation, we hope to find the answer to our problem; “Can we be able to

create an environment- friendly cleaning solution from fruit peelings?”

Hopefully, it is possible and we can be able to help be a factor of the

movement against pollution.

Based on our research, cleaning solutions our often hazardous as well

as corrosive, with this experiment, the group will be finding an alternative

from cleaning solutions that contain ammonium, hydrogen bifluoride,

hydrofluoric acid, and substances of the like. As an alternative, we will be

creating a solution made out of common materials that can be usually found

in the kitchen. Citrus peelings such as lemons and oranges contain an acid

that can fight of germs and odors, Baking soda and vinegar are the ones that

eliminate bacteria and that of the like. With these ingredients combined, we

can create a successful cleaning solution that is beneficial to both man and
its planet.

II. PROBLEM

With the different hazardous chemicals found within the premises of

everyone’s homes, the nature of this study is to be able to create a

replacement for these chemicals and to successfully produce it. The problem

that we are trying to solve is being able to successfully create the cleaning

solution we are looking for, using the peelings of citrus fruits, and being able

to compare which among the three is the best cleaning solution. Hopefully,

we can be able to reproduce the solution so that it could be a product that

more people can use.

III. HYPOTHESIS:

POSITIVE:

If the best out of the three kinds of cleaning solution will be chosen and be

made using improvised yet organic materials then an ecological friendly

solution acting to clean all types of furniture will be produced.

NEGATIVE:

If the best out of the three kinds of cleaning solution will not be chosen and

will not be made using improvised yet organic materials then an ecological

friendly solution acting to clean all types of furniture will not be produced.

IV. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

In our time now, the environment of our world is getting worse and
worse most especially our ozone layer, which is continuing to be thinner and

thinner. One of the causes of this tragic reality is some of the chemicals and

substances used in solution products for cleaning and the like.

Based on the researches of the group, cleaning solutions contain a

number of substances such as ammonium hydrogen bifluoride and

hydrofluoric acid that can be corrosive and a hazard not only to humans but

also to the environment. So the main goal of the group is to improve the

original cleaning solution containing the said substances and other, more

dangerous chemicals. With this investigatory project, a better cleaning

solution will be created using much cheaper and more effective materials

such as the peelings of citrus fruits namely lemon, calamansi and orange.

Improvisations can be made causing us much lesser time accompanying it

with the best results for all of us and for the world, most especially its

environment.

A cleaning solution was chosen since this is a product that is widely

and often used everywhere. If the type of solution for cleaning, which

contains so much toxic, is used everyday by a lot of people then a large

amount of gasses and wastes from it can pollute the environment and its

atmosphere. The group believes that the product can accomplish so much as

well as being able to contribute to the preservation of our planet.

V. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The first stain remover was plain water. People found it as an easy way

to wash away mud at a stream or a river.

 The history of cleaning agents runs back to ancient Babylonian culture.

Soap like materials were evacuated from ancient Babylonian remains. The

4500-5000 year old remains also have detailed description of making such

materials. It is however not clear whether they used the fat and ash mixed

material for cleaning purposes.

Egyptian, Romans, Japanese, Greek and Chinese cultures of the

ancient times paid attention to cleanliness and used different materials for

cleaning purposes.

Chinese used the fruit of soap-nut tree (Sapindus Mukorossi) for

cleaning soft silk clothes. The nut yielded a soap-like material, which

thoroughly cleans the silk and is soft on the fabric.

Soap making started in Europe in the seventh century. Soap making in

Europe was mostly a family tradition and people kept the technique of soap

making a secret. They used animal fat and plant oils to make soap. They also

knew the technique of adding perfumes to the soap for fragrance. The soaps

were used for bathing and laundry purposes. Italy, Spain and France were the

leaders in soap making.

Large scale soap manufacturing began in 1791, with the invention of a

process of making soda ash from common salt by a French scientist Nicholas

Leblanc. Several advancements came to Leblanc method of soap. The cost

and time for making soda ash became lower.

German scientists developed a method of making cleaning agents

without plant oil or animal fat. This chemically synthesized material is called

detergent. This is harsher than soap (that produced from fat and oil). This

happened in 1916, when the availability of fat and oils was scarce.
 Utilization of enzymes for detergent manufacturing was a

breakthrough in detergent manufacturing. A no enzyme content detergents

too are available today, but the biggest thrust is on enzyme added

detergents. There is however different environmental problems associated

with use of enzymes in detergents.

Further researches produced higher quality detergents at lower costs.

Detergents eventually went on to surpass soap as the preferred cleaning

agent.

Later researches on cleaning products were concentrated on safety of

the users and environment, ease of use and lower production costs.

Detergents and soaps are available as cakes, powder and in liquid form.

Detergents that mix well in saline water are also readily available in the

market.

VI. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS:

In the project, the group plans to make a cleaning solution that will

both benefit the people of the world plus the environment using only the juice

of citrus fruits coming from its peelings as its main ingredient. The specific

fruits that will be used for this investigation are lemon, calamansi/Philippine

lemon and orange. Both baking soda and vinegar will be the substance used

as the substance to kill and repel the bacteria. Other materials of the same

kind will also be used. If the planned materials are not available then similar

requirements or ingredients can be used as a substitute.

 Three cleaning solutions will be produced to determine which among

the three is to be the best mixture that can easily kill germs and bacteria

quickly. And at the same time, most importantly, is that it can be safe for

every individual who will use this in the future and will avoid further damage

to the atmosphere causing less greenhouse gasses. These are the main

attainments that must be achieved and be focused when producing the

solutions.

Furthermore, the group will only compare and get the best cleaning

solution that will be created using natural ingredients and the product made

must be both eco-friendly and ensures protection when using it, surpassing

the original solutions built for cleaning with a much efficient use that can

contribute and help so much in a simple way.

The things said are the only one that the group will do. Other

developments can be done by the future researchers that will maybe engage

with experiments that our like the group’s experiment. A successful result is

expected at the end of the experiment. The group believes that more

research and studying pertaining about this can make this project even more

useful and effectual.

VII. DEFINITION OF TERMS

• Hydrofluoric Acid - Hydrofluoric acid is a solution of hydrogen fluoride

in water. While it is extremely corrosive and difficult to handle, it is

 technically a weak acid. Hydrogen fluoride, often in the aqueous form

as hydrofluoric acid, is a valued source of fluorine, being the precursor

to numerous pharmaceuticals such as fluoxetine (Prozac), diverse

polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), and most other

synthetic materials that contain fluorine.

• Ammonium bifluoride - Ammonium hydrogen fluoride is the inorganic

compound with the formula NH4HF2. It is produced from ammonia and

hydrogen fluoride. This colourless salt is a glass-etchant and an

intermediate in a once-contemplated route to hydrofluoric acid.

• Concentration - the measure of how much of a given substance there

is mixed with another substance. This can apply to any sort of

chemical mixture, but most frequently the concept is limited to

homogeneous solutions, where it refers to the amount of solute in the

solvent.

• Ammonia - It is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula

NH3. It is normally encountered as a gas with a characteristic pungent

odor.

VII. METHODOLOGY

Item Quantity Purpose

Spray 3 Container for the three

Bottles solutions

To be added to one of

Juices extracted from unknown the solutions; to see if

orange it is an effective

ingredient of a cleaning

solution

To be added to one of

Juices extracted from unknown the solutions; to see if

calamansi it is an effective

ingredient of a cleaning

solution

To be added to one of

Juices extracted from unknown the solutions; to see if

lemon it is an effective

ingredient of a cleaning

solution
 Kills the bacteria,

viruses, germs and

White Vinegar 1 bottle molds and it can

provide an excellent

and ecologically-

friendly alternative to

chemical substances

Water Equal with Lowers the

the vinegar concentration of the

solutions

It is a mild and

abrasive cleaning

Baking Soda 1 bottle agent that can clean up

the greasy mess on

stove tops, countertops

and sinks. It also

neutralizes odors in the

kitchen.