| The basic selection
of what cleaner to use is primarily a determination
based upon the soil to be removed and the surface
from which the soil must be removed. The three basic
types of cleaners (acids, alkalies, and solvents)
are designed to work primarily on certain soils
and upon certain surfaces. Soil Choosing the right
cleaner begins by analyzing, the soil and matching
it to the cleaner best designed to remove it. Some
of the common forms of soil best removed by one
of the basic cleaners are as follows: |
| Acids |
AIkalies |
Solvents |
Neutral |
mineral
deposits,
such as: iron, lime buildup, uric acid stains, rust,
scale, water spots, soap deposits
|
most common
forms of soil including dirt, soot, fats, cooking
oils, food stains, baked on grease |
heavy grease
and oil including machine grease, engine oils, sludge,
paint and varnish |
light duty
clearing |
| Surface Choosing the right cleaner
also demands an analysis of the surface to be cleaned.
The three basic cleaners are designed on different
surface areas. The surfaces commonly cleaned by
the basic cleaners are as follows: |
| Acids |
AIkalies |
Solvents |
Neutral |
vitreous china
metal, glass
cement, quarry tile,
fiberplexiglass
glass,
|
resilient
flooring
metal, porcelain,
china, fabrics,
formica, vinyl,
concrete, quarry
tile, removing floor
finish films |
engines,
machine
parts, metal,
machinery |
all
water
washable
surfaces,
floors coated
with finish |
Function of a Cleaner’s Components
In order to understand cleaning chemistry, it is
necessary to know the functions or properties of
the components of a cleaner. These are defined as
follows:
1. Sequestration or Chelation - The removal or inactivation
of water hardness particles by the formation of
a soluble complex.
2. Wetting - The action of water contacting all
surfaces of soil or equipment enhanced through the
use of a surfactant.
3. Penetration - The action of a liquid entering
into porous materials or into crevices, joints or
seams enhanced by the use of a surfactant.
4. Emulsification - The action of breaking fats
and oils into very small particles which are uniformly
mixed with the water used.
5. Deflocculation or Dispersion - The action of
breaking up aggregates of flocs into individual
particles.
6. Suspension - The action which holds up insoluble
particles in a solution.
7. Rinsing - The condition of a solution or suspension
which enables it to be flushed from a surface easily
and completely.
8. Saponification - The action of changing insoluble
animal fats and oils into a soluble soap.
How Cleaners Work
By conditioning the water so there is no additional
soil added to surfaces and so that the effectiveness
of the cleaner is not reduced by hardness in the
water.
By penetrating the soil or wetting it with the water.
By dissolving as much of the soil as is possible
by the use of an acid, alkali or solvent.
By dispersion or emulsification of the remaining
soil.
By holding the soil in suspension until it is rinsed
away. |
Factors Affecting
Cleaners The performance of any selected cleaner
may be altered significantly by any one or a combination
of the following factors:
Water Temperature - Although most detergents are
designed to work in hot or cold water, the performance
of a cleaner can be enhanced by employing warm to
hot water. Extremely hot water should not be used
on highly finished floors or on carpeting.
Time - The length of time a cleaning solution is
allowed to remain on the surface to be cleaned can
affect the performance of that cleaner. Typically,
the longer the contact time of a solution the better
that solution performs. Never, however, allow a
dirty cleaning solution to dry on a surface before
it can be rinsed.
Chemical Strength - The optimum use dilution varies
with different detergents. Also, the effect of a
reduction in dilution is different with each detergent.
It is Important that the proper dilution be maintained,
and that you understand how this dilution can be
changed for specific applications.
Mechanical Action - The type of agitation used may
have a direct impact on the cleaners ability to
perform and the use dilution employed. Machine scrubbing,
pressure rinsing and abrasive pads can improve the
cleaners ability to break up soils and reduce the
amount of cleaner needed or the time to complete
the job.
Procedures - The skill level of the user can also
affect the choice of cleaner to be used. A properly
trained staff may be able to use one cleaner in
a variety of applications or more aggressive cleaners
for special cleaning tasks.
Safety - You should also consider the safety of
employees, equipment and surfaces to be cleaned
in the choice of the cleaner to be used. For example,
strong, acid or alkaline solutions may require safety
precautions and equipment, as well as care when
used on certain surfaces. Always read the product
label and refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet
before using a new product.
Problem Analysis – When confronted with an unfamiliar
cleaning situation, determine the following: 1.
The most predominate soil. 2. The most difficult
soil to remove. 3. The composition of the surface
to be cleaned. 4. The equipment available. 5. The
types of cleaners already in use. |
From this information
and the product labels, you can select a range of
cleaners that best meet the conditions. As a general
rule of thumb, select the least aggressive of the
cleaners and test to see if it will remove the soil.
If not, move to the more aggressive cleaners. Remember
that you can improve the ability of any cleaner
by increasing the water, contact time and a agitation.
Also, depending on the cleaner, increased water
temperature may help.
Always dilute and use the product according to label
instructions.
Whichever cleaner you select, observe safety precautions
at all times and see that the staff is properly
trained in the use of the cleaner.
TYPES OF CLEANERS
Glass
Glass cleaners contain high levels of solvents (alcohol,
glycol ether, ammonia) and low levels of non-volatiles.
This combination of materials results in good wetting,
good oily soil removal characteristics and non-streaking
properties.
Neutral “Neutral” cleaners are not necessarily chemically
neutral. Typically, they have a use solution pH
in the range of 7-9.5. Neutral products are light
duty cleaners designed for use on any water washable
surface. Floors coated with a floor finish must
be maintained with a neutral cleaner.
All-Purpose All-purpose cleaners typically are moderately
alkaline products (pH 9-1 1), usually containing
a water miscible solvent (a glycol ether) for superior
oily soil removal properties. Most spray bottle
applications involve either all purpose or class
cleaners. All-purpose cleaners are generally recommended
for any water-washable surface. However, because
of the higher pH and the solvent content, this type
of cleaner should not be used on a routine basis
on floors containing a floor finish.
All-purpose cleaners are sometimes called “butyl
cleaners”. Technically, butyl cleaners contain diethylene
glycol monobutyl ether (“butyl cellosolve”). However,
cleaners containing any member of the glycol ether
family are often referred to as “butyl cleaners”.
Heavy Duty Degreaser Heavy duty degreasers contain
high levels of alkaline builders and/or solvents
which make them suitable for use aggressive grease/oily
soil removal operations. As a typical example, heavy
duty degreasers may be used in conjunction with
autoscrubbers to clean concrete floors.
Acid Cleaners Acid cleaners are routinely used to
remove mineral and soap deposits typically found
in bathrooms. Acid products are also useful in removing
mineral deposits from quarry tile floors. The use
of hydrochloric (muriatic) based products is normally
limited to heavy build-ups (iron) in toilet bowls.
Products based on safer acids, such as phosphoric,
are commonly used for all other cleaning applications
that require acid treatment.
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The
Janitech Companies
106 High Street
Cumberland, RI 02864
(Tel) 401-724-4300, (Fax) 401-724-4900 |
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