Cleaning equipments and

agents
Only 5 to 10%of the cost of cleaning is spent
on cleaning equipments and agents but they
play a major role in the cleaning process.The
rest of the cost is directly linked to the cost
of labour for cleaning
 DUST DIRT

Loose particles Dirt is dust or other

which are floating materials which adheres
around in the air; to a surface.
may or may not be
visible to the
naked eye.
Easily removable by Cleaning requires the use
dusting either dry of friction in conjunction
or damp. with a cleaning agent.
Dust becomes dirt May not be possible to
over a period of remove after long
time. periods.
 Manual Equipment

 Brooms: these may be used for removing dust

from a variety of surfaces such as floors,walls ,
ceilings, cornices, high ledges,and may be
animal, vegetable or man made in origin. They
can be hard or soft.
However sweeping raises up a lot of dust and
with the advent of vacuum cleaners the brooms
is used less often
 Brushes: These are used more frequently for
the removal of dust especially from wet
surfaces.There are the long handed brushes
as well as the small hand brushes.Deck
scrubbers are used for cleaning corners and
round equipments
 Carpet or box sweeper: is used to remove
dust and crumbs from the carpet.
 Dry Mops: consist of a head of various
shapes sizes, it is made of twisted cotton
fiber/ yarn or synthetic fibers and is attached
to a long handle.Synthetic fibers are electro
static and attract dust
 Wet mops or sponge mops are used to clean
highly soiled areas. The mop consists of
longer coarser fibers.
 Polish applicator mops usually have oblong
heads attached to a long handle.
 Squeegee : these are made of rubber and
have a long handle attached
 Cloths:
Dusters or mitts are used for cleaning to dust
off hard surfaces.They are made of soft
cotton cloth.
Rags are used for applying polish and are
usually thrown after use.
Wet cloths used for wet dusting are made of
an absorbent cloth and are of a manageable
size.
Swab again made of an absorbent material
are used to clean the paint,bath tubs, etc
Chamois leather: soft leather ,skin of sheep
used to clean windows and glass.
Scrim is a loosely woven material often used
instead of chamois as it doesn’t leave any
lint.
Druggets are made of coarse cloth or plastic
are used to protect the area during painting/
renovations
Containers
Buckets , spray bottles, dust pans, sanitary
bins, housemaids’ or chambermaids’ trolleys
with sections-used on the floor
spray bottles ,dustpans and polish
applicators
 Mechanical Equipment

 Vacuum/suction cleaners
Dust is collected in a container enclosed in the
body of the machine or on the outside as in an
upright model.Hose tubes are attached, a
filter/diffuser may be fitted to the outlet to
remove the fine dust The whole machine works
on a coiled motor
 Scrubbing and polishing machines

 Scrubbing machines consist of one large

or several small brushes which revolve
and scrub the machine The water and
detergent are released from a tank
attached to the machine In polishing
machines abrasive nylon pads replace the
brushes, the lighter the colour of the pads
the lesser the abrasive strength
 Hot water extraction machines

 These are machines carrying a tank with hot

water and detergent and are used for deep
cleaning carpets with high pressure
 Choice of equipment

Choosing the equipment according to:

 Safety factors, ease of operation and cleaning,
work performance, saving of time & labor,
storage, maintenance & servicing arrangements,
company profile, etc.

Care of equipment:
 utilization, storage, timely maintenance, maintain
records
 HOW DOES CLEANING AGENTS CLEAN ?

 Holding the dirt and conveying it away as in

rinsing process
 Reacting with dirt, breaking it down, hold it in
suspension and convey it away
 Dissolving out the grease or other substance
which fixes the dirt
 Emulsifying the grease and holding it in
suspension together with the dirt, to be
removed
Hydrophilic

Hydrophobic
 LAW OF MASS CLEANING

 TIME

 ACTION

 CONCENTRATION

 TEMPERATURE
 HOW DOES A DETERGENT CLEAN?

 Modern detergents contain more than

surfactants
 Like soaps, detergents have hydrophobic or
water-hating molecular chains and hydrophilic or
water-loving components
 Swishing the soapy water around allows the
soap or detergent to pull the grime away from
clothes or dishes and into the larger pool of rinse
water.
 Modern detergents may be made from
petrochemicals or from oleo chemicals derived
from plants and animals.
 Petrochemicals/Oleo chemicals
These fats and oils are hydrocarbon chains which are
attracted to the oily and greasy grime.

 Oxidizers
Sulfur trioxide, ethylene oxide, and sulfuric acid are
among the molecules used to produce the hydrophilic
component of surfactants. Oxidizers provide an energy
source for chemical reactions. These highly reactive
compounds also act as bleaches.

 Alkalis
Sodium and potassium hydroxide are used in
detergents even as they are used in soap making. They
provide positively charged ions to promote chemical
reactions
 Cleaning agent
1. Water simplest cleaning agent and can be
softened by the addition of soda. (universal
solvent)
2. Detergents are cleaning agents which when
used with water can loosen or dissolve the
dirt.Some of the frequently added added
substances are alkaline builders e.g. soda,foam
and lather stabalisers,sodium percarbonte,
germicides, perfumes and dyestuffs.
Types of detergents:
Toilet soap,soap flakes, soap powders, liquid
synthetic detergents, powder synthetic
detergents, biological detergents,solvent based
and sanitiser detergents
 3. Abrasives
• Depend on their rubbing / scratching to clean
from hard surfaces
• The extent to which abrasives will rub/scratch a
dirty surface depends on
• Nature of abrasive material – soft,
medium, or hard
• The size of particles of abrasive –
fine, medium fine, very fine.
• Generally mixed with detergents and an alkali to
give a scouring powder / paste / liquid.
• Examples: glass, sandpaper, water emery
paper, steel wool, jeweller’s rouge, scourers,
etc.
 4. Acids
•Clean by dissolving metal. Therefore making it
possible to clean metallic stains, hard water
deposits, tarnish on silver, copper.
•Mild acids like citric acid, acetic acid clean mild
stain.
•Strong acids like oxalic acid, dilute HCL clean
stubborn stains
•Thorough rinsing of surface after use of acid is
important to remove any leftovers.
•Must be used in diluted concentrations; if used
concentrated, it is important to wear protective
clothing.
 5. Alkalis
•Used a grease emulsifier and stain removal agents
•Available in flake / powder / liquid form
•Used in addition to surfactants
•Used for cleaning of blocked drains, ovens, etc.
 6. Window Cleansers
•Used for cleaning windows / door glasses
Contains:
Water miscible solvent (isopropyl alcohol)
+
synthetic detergent (helps in removal of dirt)
+
an alkali (acts as a stabilizer) or water
+
methylated spirit (involves rubbing action)
or
ammonia
 7. Toilet Cleansers
•Contains:
•Acid (which remove metallic stains)
•Disinfectant (which disinfects)
•Deodorant (for freshening up the air.
•May contain detergents which increase the
viscosity of the toilet cleanser
•Available in
•Powder form
•Liquid form
•Crystalline form
 7a. Methylated Spirit, White Turpentine and
Carbon Tetrachloride

•All grease solvents

•Highly inflammable (methylated spirit, white
turpentine)
•Carbon tetrachloride fumes are harmful if
inhaled. Therefore never use it in confined
spaces.
 7b. Bleaches

•Are actually solutions of sodium hypo-chlorite and

an alkali (as a stabiliser)
•Have the property to whiten and germicidal powers
•Care while usage to prevent spotting of surrounding
surfaces
•Used for badly stained sinks and W.C.
 7c. Paraffin Wax/Oil
•Used for cleaning stained bathtubs
•Rarely used because of its smell.
7d. Detergents
•Are cleaning agents which when used in
conjunction with water can loosen and remove dirt
and then hold it (dirt) in suspension so that the dirt is
not re-deposited on the clean surface.
•The main property of a detergent is to act by
reducing the surface tension and wetting the article.
 GOOD DETERGENT SHOULD

 Have good wetting power to lower surface tension

of the water so that the detergent solution
penetrates between that article and the particles
of dirt
 Have good emulsifying powers to break up
grease and enable the dirt to loosen and dissolve
into the detergent solution
 Have a good suspending power so that the dirt
particles are prevented from re- depositing on the
surface
 Should readily dissolve in water
 Should be effective in all types of water

 Be effective in all temperatures

 It should be harmless to skin and water

 Can be easily rinsed

 Work quickly

 Should be biodegradable
 8. TYPES OF SOAPS
TOILET SOAP- For hand wash purpose
 Available is small tablets to medium size
cakes or paper soap
 Cleansing done by rich lather formed.
 Are unbuilt soaps
 May contain dyestuffs and perfumes
 Left over toilet soaps may be
 Returned to manufacturer for remarking and
discounts
 Collected and a crude liquid soap made ( not
advisable since it is not hygienic)
 Disposed of for hygienic reasons
 SOAP FLAKES
 Dissolve easily and yield quicker suds than
cake
 Contain soap perfume and preservatives anti-
caking agents)
 Delicate fabrics being washed by hand at
lower temperatures
 For hand wash purpose

SOAP POWDER
 Dissolves easily

 Contains large quantities of builders

 Good for use in washing machines

 CLASSIFICATION OF SOAPS

UNBUILT SOAP BUILT SOAP

 Do not contain  Contains alkalis
alkalis
 Used on slightly  Used on heavily
soiled fabrics soiled fabrics
 Produces scum with  No scum formation
hard water with hard water
 Generally does not  Can cause irritation
irritate skin of skin due to alkali’s
present
 EFFECTS OF SCUM FORMATION

 Graying of fabrics
 Stiffness of the fabrics
 An odour in the fabric
SYNTHETIC DETERGENTS
Are soapless
Are not effected by hard water
Have good suspending powers
Do not dry smeary
Are stable on both acidic and alkaline media
May or may not be perfumed
 9. Polishes

•Clean by producing a shine by providing a smooth

surface from which light is reflected evenly.
•The smoothness of surface is brought about by
•Removing unevenness of the surface (as in
polishing of metals)
•By providing a very smooth protective layer (as
in floor and furniture polishes)
A Good Polish

 Should be non greasy

 Gives a good shine easily

 Does not mark the surface

 Does not smell unpleasant

 Should give a hard dry finish to ensure

maximum protection and ease of cleaning.
 SOAP AND SAPONIFICATION

One of the organic chemical reactions

known to ancient man was the preparation
of soaps through a reaction called
SAPOPNIFICATION. Natural soaps are
sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids,
originally made by boiling lard or other
animal fat together with lye or potash
(potassium hydroxide). Hydrolysis of the
fats and oils occurs, yielding glycerol and
crude soap.
 Types of Soil
Five types of soil are

a) Mineral A solid homogeneous crystalline element or

compound, having a specific chemical
composition, that results from the inorganic
processes of nature.
b) Organic A substance consisting only of matter or products
of plant or animal origin. Chemically they are
compounds containing strings of carbon
molecules attached to one or more hydrogen
molecules.
c) Osmological This relates to soils of organic or inorganic matter
that emit an unpleasant odour.
d) Bacterial Soils or compounds containing active (live)
bacteria.
e) Entomological Soils involving insects, especially those that can
cause or carry diseases.
 COMMON CLEANING AGENTS
Name Characteristics

Ammonia Liquid ammonia is combination of ammonia gas

and water. An alkali, it is used for softening water
and emulsifying grease.
Bath Brick A reddish brown powder also obtained in brick
form. It is used for cleaning and polishing hard
metals like brass and copper and for cleaning
earthenware.
Benzene Obtained from the distillation of coal tar. It is used
as grease solvent and for removing paint and tar
stains
Borax Sodium borate. A white crystalline powder is used
to soften hard water and for slightly stiffening
white cotton and linen material. It is used for
stain removal for tea and coffee stains.
Bran The husk of wheat grain. It is used for dry cleaning
as it acts as a grease solvent.
Fuller’s Earth A kind of clay which readily absorbs grease but is
not suitable for white surfaces because of it’s
brownish colour. It is used mainly on wood and
other coloured surfaces.

Hydrochloric It is a mineral acid corrosive in action. Used in dilute

acid form for removing stains from ceramic/glazed tiles,
bathroom fittings and sometimes hard metals.
Jeweller’s It is also known as ferric tetra oxide. It is a pinkish
Rouge coloured powder used for polishing silver. It is a
constituent of commercial silver polishes.
Linseed Oil It is obtained from crushed seeds of the flax plant. It
is a constituent of furniture polishes and paints.
Magnesia It is in fact magnesium carbonate, a fine white
powder used for dry cleaning of felt, fur, woollen
articles, etc.
Methylated It is used for giving a gloss to window or glasses of
Spirit picture frames or mirrors. It is used in varnishes and
lacquers.
Oxalic Acid It is used in the removal of stains on fabrics and also for
bathroom fittings.
Paraffin Wax A product of distillation of crude petroleum, which is
used for cleaning greasy iron and steel articles. It also
clans greasy earthenware in combination with bath
brick.
Petrol A product obtained from distillation of petroleum, highly
inflammable. It is used for dry cleaning and for
removing greasy stains.
Pumice A light porous rock of volcanic origin used as an
abrasive for hard metals, earthenware and enamels.
Rottengstone It is an impure form of limestone, which is used for
cleaning copper, brass and earthenware.
Salt It is basically Sodium Chloride which is a medium
abrasive used as a disinfectant. It is also used when
washing coloured clothes to prevent undue loss of
colour and also for stiffening of brush bristles.
Sand It is a hard compound of silica used as an abrasive on
stone floors.
Steel wool Fine crystal filaments obtained in various grades of
fineness. It is used for scouring hard metals.
Soda Sodium carbonate / washing soda is used as a water
softener and for emulsifying grease, as it is an alkaline
salt.
Turpentine Used as a constituent of paints, softens & dissolves
paints & tar stains.
Vaseline A by product of petroleum distillation; used to prevent
rust formation on metals, as a lubricant and for
maintaining leather soft and pliable.
Vinegar An organic acid used in removing stains. Tarnish
from metals and preventing undue loss of colour
when laundering soiled clothes.
Whiting Chalk or calcium carbonate in a pure form is used as a
mild abrasive for polishing soft metals and cleaning
white painted articles.
 GREEN CLEANING ITEMS

 Baking soda
 White vinegar
 Liquid castile soap (a mild soap made of olive oil and
sodium hydroxide)
 Scouring pad
 Cotton washcloth or a sponge
 Cotton rag without much lint
 16 oz. spray bottle
IN A NUT SHELL...
 TYPES OF CLEANING AGENTS

Types of Uses Factors affecting use

composition

Detergents 1. Bars pH 8. little risk of skin

Kitchen and 2. Hand washing irritation unless large
laundry 3. manual amount of perfumes or
soap: hard scrubbing of dye included
soap fibres to remove Only suitable for removal of
builders, ingrained soil. soil from those surfaces
dyes, 4. Bars indicated.
perfumes 5. Hand washing
manual scrubbing
of fibres to
remove
ingrained soil.
Toilet Soap: 1. Bars or liquid pH. 7 virtually no risk of
Soft soap, 2. Bathrooms, toilets irritation unless large
dyes, and wash rooms for amounts of perfume or dye
perfume personal hygiene included.
disinfectant 3. Bars used in hotel only suitable for uses
guestrooms indicated
4. Dispensers of inactivated by hard water
liquid soap used in scum formation and
general toilets and excessive foaming can
cloakrooms make them difficult to rinse,
leaving surface greasy or
streaked.
Limited ability to remove
grease, fats and oils.
Relatively expensive
Soap flakes: Laundering of lightly -
Soap, soiled fabrics,
perfume notably wool and silk

Soap powder: Laundering of textiles pH 8-9. Some risk of skin

soap, Largely replaced by irritation or dermatitis
builders, synthetic detergent Only suitable for use
bleach: powders, being indicated
suspending, relatively expensive Excessive foaming can
whitening, and unsuitable for make them difficult to rinse,
bulking and automatic washing leaving hard surfaces
conditioning machines greasy or streaked.
agents: Only moderately effective in
perfumes the removal of heavy soiling
High and Laundering of textiles pH 8-10. can cause irritation
controlled- High-foam powders or dermatitis.
foam are suitable for Light-duty and general-duty
synthetic manual washing or powders are available
powders: an use in non-automatic May be formulated for hot or
ionic and non- machines. cold washes
ionic Controlled foam High pH general-duty
surfactants. powders are suitable powders will damage wool
Builders: for automatic and silk fabrics
foaming, machines. They Enzyme action will require
conditioning, contain more non- soaking of textiles
bulking, ionic surfactant and Specifically formulated for
suspending less foaming agent textiles making them
and whitening relatively expensive for
agents: other uses.
enzymes, Foam can make them
dyes, difficult to rinse leaving
perfumes hard surfaces greasy or
streaked.
Low-foam 1.Dishwasher 1.pH 9-12. Will cause
synthetic powders dermatitis
powders: 2.Hard surface 2.Low foam essential for
non-ionic cleaners for use on automatic dishwashers
surfactant, heavily soiled 3.Hard surface powders
builders, surfaces only will damage many
conditioning surfaces if contact is
agents prolonged or if used
routinely
4.Rinsing is essential
Neutral 1.Liquids or gels 1.Light duty pH 7-9. Risk of
detergents: 2.Light-duty or general- irritation or dermatitis with
anionic duty formulations some products
surfactant, non- available 2.General duty pH 8-10. can
ionic surfactant 3.Light-duty products cause skin irritation or
(light duty and are variously formulated dermatitis.
some general to be suitable for 3.Only some of these cleaning
duty), builders fabrics, dishes, hard agents can justify the name
(none or few in surfaces and hand ‘neutral’. This should be
light duty). cleaning. remembered when purchasing
Chelating 4.General-duty products or using
agents, are suitable for routine 4.Light: and general-duty
perfumes, dyes. cleaning of most hard products intended for hard-
surfaces surface cleaning will effectively
remove most types of soil and
be fairly easily rinsed from the
surface.
5.General-duty products are
usually less expensive than
light-duty ones.
6.Both types will have little or
no damaging effect on most
surfaces.
Carpet and 1.Are formulated to 1.Essential that the
upholstery be suitable for a cleaning agents used for
cleaners: variety of methods of the wet cleaning of carpets
anionic or cleaning: wet dry to a powder which can
non-ionic shampooing: dry then be removed by
surfactant, foam shampooing: vacuuming. Detergents not
builders, spray extraction; dry drying to a powder may
foaming powders; bonnet leave a sticky residue which
agents, buffing will accelerate resoiling.
chelating 2.Surfactant in dry 2.Dry powders are only
agents, foam shampoo dries suitable for light soilage.
perfumes, to a non-stick
cationic powder
surfactant; or 3.Cationic (when
surfactant, included in
non- formulation) will
chlorinated reduce static build-
organic up and help reduce
solvent soiling.
Alkaline or hard 1.Cleaning of 1.pH 9-12.5. May cause skin irritation
surface liquid heavily soiled hard and dermatitis. Avoid all skin and eye
detergents: surfaces contact.
builders, anionic 2.Stripping of water- 2.Will damage wood, line, PVC,
or non-ionic based polishes thermoplastic, terrazzo, marble, paint,
surfactant, 3.For stripping chrome, aluminium and other surfaces
chelating metallized polishes if contact is prolonged or if used
agents. the detergent must routinely.
include ammonia or 3.Rinsing is essential
a related compound
Detergents with 1.General-purpose 1.Effective cleaning using a neutral
bactericidical cleaning of hard detergent can generally be as effective
properties: surfaces where in removing bacteria.
anionic or non- higher standards of 2.Cationic substances will adhere to
ionic surfactant, hygiene considered skin and surfaces: liable to build up of
builders, essential static charges, notably on plastics.
chelating 2.Cleaning of plastic This has three useful effects:
agents, chlorine surfaces neutralize any static charge on
compounds or 3.Variety of surface: repel bacteria and dust: a
cationic formulations, some residue of bacteria static activity.
surfactant. of which have
antistatic properties
Buffable 1.Maintenance of hard 1.Surfactant or solvent will
detergents: and semi-hard floors assist in the removal of soil
surfactant, 2.Formulation of and may remove part of the
waxes, resins, products will vary surface layer of a cost of
organic polish if one has been
solvent applied. Waxes and resing
remaining on the floor will
form a glossy film or make
up part of the surface layer
of the polish when buffed.
Buffable and 1.Maintenance of hard 1.Surfactant or solvent will
cleaners: non- and semi hard floors remove soil, Buffing of the
ionic 2.Direct application to residue of the cleaning agent
surfactant, many plastic floors will form a glossy protective
pine oil, may eventually result film
organic in breakdown of 2.Remains sticky unless
solvent, fatty plasticizer buffed or completely rinsed.
acids, cationic 3.Periodic stripping of the
surfactant film may be required.
 Abrasives
Cream and 1.Heavily soiled hard 1.pH 8-12. Considerable
liquids: surfaces, notably variety in formulation. Effect
surfactant, walls and work on skin will depend on pH.
builder, fine surfaces. 2. Must not be used routinely
abrasive 2.Glazed ceramic on surfaces likely to be
powder, bathroom, toilet and scratched, e.g. paintwork,
ammonia kitchen fittings if very enamel and plastic
heavily soiled.
Pastes: 1.Removal of small 1.pH 8-12. considerable
surfactant, localized heavy variety in formulation. Effect
soap, abrasive deposits of soil on on skin will depend on pH
powder, hard surfaces and abrasive properties.
builders, 2.Graffitti removers 2.Must never be used
glycerine routinely on any surface,
particularly paintwork,
enamel and plastics.
Powder: 1.Scouring powders 1.Extremely abrasive and will
surfactant, are available to damage most surfaces,
builder, remove heavy including glazed ceramic
abrasive localized accretions of surfaces
powder, soil on some hard 2.Avoid use if at all possible
chlorine surfaces notably and never use routinely on
compounds quarry tiles and glazed glazed ceramic surfaces.
ceramic surfaces
2.Very mild powders
for use in bathroom.
Soft metal 1.Available as liquid, 1.Plate powder (whitening or
polishes: impregnated cloth or jeweller’s rouge) requires
whitening or wadding, plate powder mixing with water, ammonia
jeweller’s 2.Removal of heavy before use.
rouge, solvent, soiling, scratches or 2.Regular use will tend to
acid or tarnishing from silver remove surface metal
ammonia. and silver plate 3.Some polishes will leave a
long-term.
Hard metal 1.Liquid suitable for 1.Regular use will tend to
polishes: removal of heavy remove surface metal.
whitening or soiling scratches or 2.Use of polishes leaving a
very fine tarnishing from brass ‘long-term’ finish are
abrasive and chromium preferred
powder, 2.Removal of surface 3.the use of soft and hard
organic scratches form glass meal polishes for routine
solvent, acid fibre bath surfaces cleaning should be avoided.
or ammonia. 4.Soft and hard metal
polishes must not be used
on other metallic surfaces.
 Degreasers
Sodium 1.Degreasing 1.pH 12-14, Extremely
metasilicate or machinery and corrosive. Full protective
sodium equipment clothing must be worn
hydrosilicate 2.Drain cleaning. 2.Equipment or machinery is
crystals 3.Detergent crystal soaked in hot or cold
(include a surfactant) solutions.
are used for removal 3.Drains are flushed with a
of accumulated concentrated solution.
grease and soil from 4.Detergent crystals are
concrete or asphalt applied in a concentrated
floors solution, followed by
4.No other suitable scrubbing after allowing 30
uses min to act.
5.Rinsing is essential
6.Seriously damage wood,
silk, rayon, cotton, wood,
line, PVC, thermo-plastics,
terrazzo, marble, aluminium,
chrome.
Gels and 1.Oven cleansers 1.pH 12-14. Extremely
foams: available in aerosol corrosive. Protective
sodium sprays or gels. clothing must be worn
hydroxide, 2.Use an alternative
surfactant, cleaning agent if possible.
gelling or
foaming
agent
Sodium 1. Drain cleaning 1.Fairly corrosive. Will
Carbonate cause skin irritation or
dermatitis
2.Drains flushed with a hot
concentrated solution.
 Acidic
Phosphoric 1. Removal of lime 1. pH 1-2, Very corrosive.
acid scale and rust . Protective clothing must be
worn.
Oxalic acid 1.Used in 1.pH 1-2 in concentrated
concentrated solution solution. Very corrosive.
as a rust removal in Protective clothing to be
the engineering worn if used in concentrated
industry solution.
2.Removal of rust 2.When used for removing
marks and lime scale lime scale or rust marks it is
from a variety of effective in dilute solution.
surfaces Several applications may be
required.
Toilet 1.Cleaning of lavatory 1.Sulphurous acid, produced
cleaners: bowls and urinals by sodium bisulphate when
sodium 2.Products based on in contact with water, and
bisulphate sodium bisulphate hydrochloric acid remove
and chlorine available as powders lime scale and urine stains
compounds or 2.Chlorine compounds will
hydrochloric oxidize faecal deposits.
acid or 3.pH1 Extremely corrosive.
phosphoric Protective clothing must be
acid worn.
4.Hydrochloric acid is
extremely reactive. Toilet
cleaners based up on it are
not recommended for
general use.
5.Never mix with bleach.
Chlorine gas is produced.
Lemon Juice 1.Removal of rust 1.Useful alternative to a
and Vinegar marks from a variety dilute solution of oxalic
of surfaces acid.
2.Removal of tarnish 2.To remove rust marks and
from copper and tarnish from metals, lemon
bronze juice or vinegar are mixed
with salt. The mixture is
applied as a thin paste,
allowed a few minutes to
act and then rinsed.
Several applications
 Solvents
Methylated 1. Spot cleaning to 1.Extremely volatile and
spirits remove resins, ball- highly inflammable
(methanol and point, iodine, vegetable 2.can be used safely on
ethanol) dyes plastic surfaces
Acetone 1. Spot cleaning to 1.Extremely volatile and
remove resins, lipstick, highly inflammable
nail varnish and some 2.Will dissolve and therefore
dyes and paints damage cellulose acetate, and
many plastic surfaces. Test
surface should be cleaned
before using.
White spirit 1.Spot cleaning to 1.Fairly volatile and
and paraffin remove tar, rubber, inflammable
fats, oils and waxes. 2.Must not be used on PVC,
2.Thinning of many thermoplastics or rubber
solvent-based seals, surfaces
polishes and paints 3.Always test surface to be
cleaned before using
Carbon 1. Must never be used 1.Produces carcinogenic
tetrachloride fumes
and benzene
Tetrachloroet 1. Spot cleaning to 1.Moderately volatile but not
hylene remove fats, oils, inflammable
wax, tar, pitch, some 2.Must not be used on PVC,
paints, resins, rubber thermoplastics, rubber,
asphalt and some other
plastic surfaces.
3.Always test surface to be
cleaned before using.
Methylene 1.Paint and solvent- 1.Extremely volatile with a
chloride based seal stripper noxious odour.
2.Too effective a 2.Use should be avoided
solvent for other uses and, if essential, only in well
ventilated conditions.
3.Full protective clothing
together with face mask or
respirator to be worn.
 Other cleaning agents
Glass and 1.Removal of grease 1.Removes light soiling
window and inorganic soil 2.Non-abrasive and does not
cleaners: from glass or leave streaks
ethylene windows. 3.Apply in very dilute
glycol, non- 2.Replaces older solution.
ionic products consisting
surfactant of ammonia, water
and whitening
Solvent-based 1.Stripping of solvent- 1.Combination of organic
detergent based polishes solvent and alkaline builders
white spirit, 2.Removal of is a particularly effective
builders, accumulation of combination for removal of
anionic grease from hard waxes.
surfactant surfaces not affected 2.Must not be used on PVC,
by white spirit. thermo-plastics, rubber and
3.Degreasing of some types of asphalt.
manufacturing
equipment, etc.
4.Oven-cleaning
formulations
Multipurpose 1.General-purpose 1.Only to be used for the
cleaners: organic cleaning of hard cleaning of hard surfaces
solvents, surfaces 2.Can be used on PVC,
surfactants, thermoplastics and rubber.
chelating agent
Chewing gum 1. Aerosol sprays 1.Freezing caused by carbon
removers which freeze gum dioxide which forms the
enabling it to be spray.
chipped off
Polishes 1.Maintenance of 1.Polish identical to that
polished floors by used to maintain floor is
spray burnishing applied in dilute solution.
2.The surface layer of polish
and soil is removed and
replaced in part by fresh
polish.
Bleach: 1.Destaining of 1.Bleach will oxidize
Sodium sinks, lavatory faecal and other organic
hypochlorite bowls and urinals. staining substances to
2.Removal of stains colourless compounds.
from textiles 2.Unless effectively rinsed
3.Decarbonizing it will damage wool,
cotton and nylon.
3.Never mix with acids.
Always wear protective
gloves.
TASK LIST FOR CLEANING
THANK YOU!