Choosing the right chemical for the job!
There's an abundance of chemicals claiming to do many things and a lot of information that confuses the matter further so what really is the right chemical to use?
This guide strips back and categorises the different types of cleaners allowing you to make a better decision on what to use.
CONTENTS
1. The pH scale
4. Solvents
5. Bleach
8. Detergents
9. Degreasers
11. Surfaces
12. Residues
13. Mixing Chemicals
14. Conclusion
THE pH SCALE
In simple terms, the pH scale provides a measurement for how acidic or alkaline a chemical is. Every digit you move away from 7 has a value ten times greater than the previous one. The higher the acidity or alkalinity, the more aggressive it can be to property, the environment, and safety. However, there are other factors that can influence the outcome depending on how the chemical is designed.
ACID CLEANERS
Acid cleaners are typically used on inorganic soils. They work to dissolve mineral deposits such as hard water buildup on glass.
Rust
Rust Marks
Scale
Lime (Calcium/Magnesium)
Corrosion
Oxidised Metals
Minerals
Water Spots
Soap Scum
Concrete
Mortar
Grout
Removing discoloration from some metals, such as aluminium, brass, bronze, and copper.
ALKALINE CLEANERS
Alkaline cleaners are primarily used for organic soils and work well in breaking down and suspending fatty or oily deposits.
Animal Fats
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Mould and Yeast
Bacteria
Animal Waste
Oily Surfaces
SOLVENTS
A solvent can be used to dissolve, soften, melt, or extract another compound. Solvent cleaning is a process that uses chemical solutions to remove unwanted grease, oil, residue, coatings or paint from the surface of a material. There’s more than one type of solvent, and each individual type may be better suited than another is to clean a specific type of base material.
Solvents operate by dissolving the soil by breaking it down into smaller particles and carrying them into the solution and away from the contaminated surface.
Grease
Wax
Resin
Paint
Bitumen
Glue
Sticker residue
Ink
lipstick
BLEACH
Bleach removes coloured matter by the chemical reaction of strong oxidation. Chlorine bleach is especially good at removing stains and dyes from clothes as well as disinfecting.
Inks
Dyes
Tannins – Tea And Leaf Stains
Coffee
Cordial
Red Wine
Urine Stains
Grass Stains
Bleach can be very dangerous if mixed with other chemicals. In particular, never mix bleach with acidic products, ammonia, or alcohol.
Bleach can also be used as a surface sanitiser by following the below dilution rates and instructions. It will start to lose its effectiveness after about 12 hours and must be discarded after 24 hours.
ABRASIVE CLEANERS
As the name suggests, these cleaners function by the physical application of abrasion – like liquid sandpaper. To avoid damage to softer stone substrates, the abrasive mineral used is generally made from crushed limestone (soft mineral).
Abrasive cleaners will remove most staining materials from a surface, but are not effective on stains which have penetrated the surface to any depth.
ENZYME and LIVE BACTERIA CLEANERS
The bacteria create enzymes to break down protein and food-based stains into smaller molecules so they can be consumed. They multiply at a quick rate and continue with creating enzymes, even after the manual cleaning process has ended, until there is no food source left. Live bacteria also fight against other harmful bacteria.
A product containing enzymes alone will break down the soil into smaller molecules allowing it to be flushed away however once they’re used up there’s no bacteria to create more.
Bacteria products have come a long way and can work well in general areas, bathrooms, and kitchens, however they are not yet approved to be used in a commercial kitchen environment.
DETERGENTS
Detergents are created as a neutral pH product and use additives known as “surfactants” that help water get “wetter” to lift dirt and oil away from the surface of the object being cleaned. The detergent’s chemical properties pull grime away from the object’s surface and surround it with water so it can be washed away.
Detergents are suitable for manual dishwashing and can also be mixed with water and used as a general purpose cleaner.
DEGREASERS
Degreasers are a heavy-duty cleaner designed to remove grease, grime, oil, and other oil-based organic contaminants from a variety of surfaces. They’re high in alkalinity and designed to remove excessively soiled areas and caked-on carbonised soil. Commonly used in automotive and industrial environments and commercial kitchens for cleaning machines, tools, floors, range hoods, etc.
There are several varieties available and some contain ingredients such as a petroleum-based solvent or a natural solvent like citrus. There are varieties that also handle the soil differently; most degreasers combine with the soil and form an emulsion which allows the grease to be carried away, however a Quick-Break Degreaser lifts the oil and then separates which allows the oil to be removed either manually or through another method.
There are also a variety of all-purpose cleaners labelled as a cleaner/degreaser. These are typically higher in alkalinity than standard general-purpose cleaners but lower than heavy-duty degreasers. They are good for light-duty applications such as wiping over the cooktop, splashback, and greasy benches in a home environment, or for maintaining cleanliness in a commercial kitchen, but they may struggle with built-up and baked-on soils.
DISINFECTANTS and SANITISERS
Sanitising reduces any contamination or bacteria to a safe level and can be done by using a cleaning solution or through a steaming/hot water technique.
Disinfecting uses a chemical to kill all contamination or bacteria. Disinfectants are chemical agents that are applied to non-living objects in order to destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, mould, or mildews living on the objects. The active ingredient in each disinfectant formula is what kills pathogens, usually by disrupting or damaging their cells.
There are several broad categories of disinfectants used in commercial and industrial environments, each with their own pros and cons. Some will be more effective against than others against specific microbes and pathogens and some will be work better on different surfaces and in different environments.
Though different situations require different approaches, you should always clean a surface before sanitizing or disinfecting it and always allow the appropriate contact time to ensure the product is effective.
Some of the active ingredients include:
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ‣ Quat
‣ QAC
‣ Benzalkonium Chloride
‣ Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride • Alcohols ‣ Ethanol ‣ Ethyl Alcohol ‣ Isopropyl Alcohol
• Sodium Hypochlorite
‣ Chlorine Bleach
• Hydrogen Peroxide
SURFACES
Consideration also needs to be made for the type of surface the soil is on so that it's not damaged during the cleaning process. If in doubt always seek further advice. Some surfaces include:
Vinyl – A damp cloth or mop should be enough. If necessary, use a mild detergent solution or mild vinegar and water solution. Rinse with a clean cloth or mop to remove any residue. Don’t leave the surface wet.
Leather – Use a mild solution of detergent and water. Dry thoroughly. Leather will dry out so apply a leather conditioner to retain moisture and pliability. Consider using a leather protector.
Marble – Marble can dry out and crack, particularly from acidic cleaners. Water is the best first option otherwise use a neutral cleaner such as a mild detergent solution and rinse afterwards.
Wax – Scrape off as much wax as possible and spray with a solvent.
RESIDUES
If a chemical is used incorrectly, a residue can often be left after the cleaning process. This is sometimes misinterpreted as poor chemical performance. Residues can appear after a single clean, or they can build up over time and are commonly noticeable as white streaks or scale-like formations on windows, tiled floors, and benches.
Typical causes are:
Using too much chemical and allowing the chemical to dry on the surface.
Not rinsing thoroughly, allowing the chemical solution to dry on the surface.
Water in buckets, particularly mop buckets, not being changed frequently enough and becoming excessively dirty. The dirtier a solution gets, the weaker the chemical becomes, and the more dirt it leaves behind.
You can avoid the build-up of residue and streaks on surfaces by using the correct cleaning chemical at the recommended dilution rate and following the correct application method.
MIXING CHEMICALS
Unless you know exactly what you're doing, you should never mix chemicals for any reason.
Mixing chemicals will cause varying results depending on the type and quantity being mixed and the worst case scenario can be fatal.
Some potential outcomes include the following:
▸They can neutralise each other making the chemical useless.
▸They can expand quickly such as the example to the right. This could be a spray bottle being filled and shooting over your hands and face.
▸They can create a poisonous and lethal gas which blisters the lungs and reduces the ability to breathe.
▸It may cause unexpected damage to the surface.
▸It may become even more hazardous to personal and public safety.
▸There is no longer an SDS for the newly created chemical making it illegal to use.
▸In an emergency situation, it makes it harder for emergency personnel to react appropriately.
CONCLUSION
When faced with a cleaning task first identify the stain/soil and then choose a chemical that'll give you the desired outcome. Take into account the surface that it's on to ensure the product will be compatible and also the surrounding environment to ensure that the product won't cause a reaction with anything nearby.
Follow the instructions carefully including dilution rates and application methods. The SDS will have more information regarding safety and potential reactions with specific materials.
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