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A cleaning agent can be described as any product used to clean. This does not
mean a tool for cleaning. A broom, a mop or a paper towel would not be
classified as a cleaning agent. So, a cleaning agent is not the instrument used
for cleaning but rather the solvent or product that actually does the cleaning.
They are either natural or synthetic substances that are used to aid the
cleansing process.
Some of the most typical kinds of cleaning agents are broadly defined
as disinfectants, deodorizers, detergents, polishes, abrasives and other types
of cleaning agents. These are all chemically different and perform different
tasks, but they are all used in the pursuit of a cleaner environment. They
remove dust, bacteria, grease, mold, fingerprints, dirt, cooking fluids and
organic matter.
Almost every single cleaning agent can be classified as one of the following
four varieties: alkaline, acidic, neutral or degreaser. These four categories are
the broad umbrella terms for cleansers that have similar chemical properties
and react in similar ways with the substances that need to be cleaned. Certain
cleaning jobs are a job for alkaline cleaners only, while other messes or
bacteria or stains may require the use of a detergent or a degreaser or both.
All cleaning agents are given a rating on the pH scale that goes from zero
(most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline). In the center, at seven on the scale, is
water. Cleaners like detergent are more alkaline and fall somewhere around
10 or 11 on the pH scale, while acids like white vinegar or lemon fall closer
to two.
Many people assume that the higher a cleaning agent's pH, the stronger a
cleaner it is. This is actually incorrect. pH is not a measurement of cleaning
strength or power. Something with a very high pH can be the absolute wrong
variety of cleaning agent for a particular mess. The trick to finding the right
cleanser for your situation is to be aware of the alkaline or acidity level that
you need and choose your cleaning agent accordingly based on its pH.
Alkaline cleaners are in almost every case meant to be used with water.
Water is the partner with an alkaline cleaner like bleach or OxiClean. While
the cleansing chemicals in an alkaline cleanser may break down the matter
that needs to be cleaned, water is the critical component. After using the
alkaline cleaner, the water washes away what the cleaner itself has helped to
dissolve.
Neutral cleaners are the cleansers that are not brought out to break down
matter but are mostly used in order to clean dust or remove surface
dirt. Water is one of the most popular neutral cleaners. While it lacks
cleaning chemicals, it has the right pH for removing surface dust and debris
from floors, tables and counters.