Cleaning agents orhard-surface cleaners are substances (usuallyliquids, powders, sprays, or granules) used to removedirt, includingdust,stains, foul odors, and clutter on surfaces.[1] Purposes of cleaning agents includehealth, beauty, removing offensive odors, and avoiding the spread of dirt and contaminants to oneself and others. Some cleaning agents can killbacteria (e.g.door handle bacteria, as well as bacteria on worktops and other metallic surfaces) and clean at the same time. Others, called degreasers, contain organic solvents to help dissolve oils and fats.[2]
Acidic cleaning agents are mainly used for removal of deposits likescaling. The active ingredients are normally strongmineral acids andchelants. Often,surfactants andcorrosion inhibitors are added to the acid.
Hydrochloric acid is a common mineral acid typically used for concrete.Vinegar can also be used to clean hard surfaces and removecalcium deposits.Sulphuric acid is used inacidic drain cleaners to unblock clogged pipes by dissolving organic materials, like greases, proteins, and evencarbohydrate-containing substances such as toilet tissue.
Alkaline cleaning agents contain strongbases likesodium hydroxide orpotassium hydroxide.Bleach (pH 12) andammonia (pH 11) are common alkaline cleaning agents. Often,dispersants, to prevent redeposition of dissolved dirt, andchelants, to attackrust, are added to the alkaline agent.
Alkaline cleaners can dissolvefats (including grease),oils, andprotein-based substances.
Neutral washing agents are pH-neutral and based on non-ionicsurfactants that disperse different types.
Scouring agents are mixtures of the usual cleaning chemicals (surfactants,water softeners) as well asabrasive powders. The abrasive powder must be of a uniform particle size.
Particles are usually smaller than 0.05 mm.Pumice,calcium carbonate (limestone,chalk,dolomite),kaolinite,quartz,soapstone ortalc are often used asabrasives, i.e.polishing agents.
Special bleaching powders contain compounds that releasesodium hypochlorite, the classical household bleaching agent. These precursor agents includetrichloroisocyanuric acid and mixtures ofsodium hypochlorite ("chlorinatedorthophosphate").
Examples of notable products includeAjax,Bar Keepers Friend,Bon Ami,Comet,Vim, Zud, and others.
Traditional oven cleaners containsodium hydroxide (lye), solvents, and other ingredients,[3] They work best when used in a slightly warm (not hot) oven. If used in aself-cleaning oven, the lye can cause permanent damage to the oven.
Some oven cleaners are based on ingredients other than lye. These products must be used in a cold oven. Most new-style oven cleaners can be used in self-cleaning ovens.
All-purpose cleansers contain mixtures of anionic and nonionicsurfactants,polymeric phosphates or othersequestering agents,solvents,hydrotropic substances, polymeric compounds,corrosion inhibitors, skin-protective agents, and sometimesperfumes andcolorants.[4]Aversive agents, such asdenatonium, are occasionally added to cleaning products to discourage animals and small children from consuming them.
Some cleaners contain water-soluble organic solvents likeglycol ethers andfatty alcohols, which ease the removal of oil, fat and paint.Disinfectant additives includequaternary ammonium compounds,phenol derivatives, terpene alcohols (pine oil),aldehydes, and aldehyde-amine condensation products.
All-purpose cleaners are usually concentrated solutions ofsurfactants and water softeners, which enhance the behavior of surfactant inhard water. Typical surfactants arealkylbenzene sulfonates, an anionicdetergent, and modifiedfatty alcohols. A typical water softener issodium triphosphate.
All-purpose cleansers are effective with most common kinds of dirt. Their dilute solutions are neutral or weakly alkaline, and are safe for use on most surfaces.
Toilet bowl cleaning often is aimed at removal of calcium carbonate deposits, which are attacked by acids. Powdered cleaners contain acids that come in the form of solid salts, such assodium hydrogen sulfate. Liquid toilet bowl cleaners contain other acids, typically dilutehydrochloric,phosphoric, orformic acids. These convert the calcium carbonate into salts that are soluble in water or are easily rinsed away.
Metal cleaners are used for cleaningstainless steel sinks, faucets, metal trim, silverware, etc. These products containabrasives (e.g., siliceouschalk,diatomaceous earth,alumina) with a particle size < 20 μm.Fatty alcohol oralkylphenol polyglycol ethers with 7-12ethylene oxide (EO) units are used as surfactants.[4]
For ferrous metals, the cleaners containchelating agents,abrasives, andsurfactants. These agents includecitric andphosphoric acids, which are nonaggressive. Surfactants are usually modifiedfatty alcohols. Silver cleaning is a specialty since silver is noble but tends to tarnish via formation of blacksilver sulfide, which is removable via silver-specificcomplexants such asthiourea.
Stainless steel,nickel, andchromium cleaners containlactic,citric, orphosphoric acid. A solvent (mineral spirits) may be added.
Nonferrous metal cleaners containammonia, ammonium soaps (ammonium oleate,stearate) andchelating agents (ammonium citrate,oxalate).
For special type of precious metals especially those used for luxury watches and high-end jewelry, special type of cleaning agents are usually used to clean and protect them from the Elements. Some examples of these cleaners include jewelry cleaner from Weiman,[5] watch cleaning solution from HOROCD[6] & even cleaning metal plates from Holland Hallmark.
Light duty hard surface cleaners are not intended to handle heavy dirt and grease. Because these products are expected to clean without rinsing and result in a streak-free shine, they contain no salts. Typical window cleaning items consist of alcohols, eitherethanol orisopropanol likeWindex, and surfactants for dissolving grease. Other components include small amounts ofammonia as well as dyes and perfumes.[1]
These are composed of organic, water-miscible solvent such as isopropyl alcohol and an alkaline detergent. Some glass cleaners also contain a fine, mild abrasive. Most glass cleaners are available as sprays or liquid. They are sprayed directly onto windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces or applied on with a soft cloth and rubbed off using a soft, lint-free duster. A glass cloth and soft water, to which some methylated spirit or vinegar is added, is an inexpensive alternative to store-bought glass cleaner.
Silverware can be freed ofsilver sulfide tarnish withthiourea, and eitherhydrochloric orsulfuric acid.
For acid-resistant building facades, such as brick, acids are typically used. These include mixtures ofphosphoric andhydrofluoric acids as well as surfactants. For acid-sensitive facades such as concrete, stronglyalkaline cleaners are used such assodium hydroxide and thickeners. Both types of cleaners require a rinsing and often special care since the solutions are aggressive toward skin.
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