Product Code Database
Cleaning agents or hard-surface cleaners are substances (usually , powders, sprays, or granules) used to remove dirt, including dust, , foul odors, and clutter on surfaces. Purposes of cleaning agents include health, beauty, removing offensive odors, and avoiding the spread of dirt and contaminants to oneself and others. Some cleaning agents can kill bacteria (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.
Hydrochloric acid is a common mineral acid typically used for concrete. Vinegar can also be used to clean hard surfaces and remove calcium deposits. Sulphuric acid is used in acidic drain cleaners to unblock clogged pipes by dissolving organic materials, like greases, proteins, and even carbohydrate-containing substances such as toilet tissue.
Alkaline cleaners can dissolve (including grease), , and protein-based substances.
Particles are usually smaller than 0.05 mm. Pumice, calcium carbonate (limestone, chalk, dolomite), kaolinite, quartz, soapstone or talc are often used as , i.e. polishing agents.
Special bleaching powders contain compounds that release sodium hypochlorite, the classical household bleaching agent. These precursor agents include trichloroisocyanuric acid and mixtures of sodium hypochlorite ("chlorinated orthophosphate").
Examples of notable products include Ajax, Bar Keepers Friend, Bon Ami, Comet, Vim, Zud, and others.
Oven cleaner poisoning, The Mount Sinai Health System, retrieved April 18th, 2021 They work best when used in a slightly warm (not hot) oven. If used in a self-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.
Some cleaners contain water-soluble organic solvents like and , which ease the removal of oil, fat and paint. Disinfectant additives include quaternary ammonium compounds, phenol derivatives, terpene alcohols (pine oil), aldehydes, and aldehyde-amine condensation products.
All-purpose cleaners are usually concentrated solutions of surfactants and water softeners, which enhance the behavior of surfactant in hard water. Typical surfactants are alkylbenzene sulfonates, an anionic detergent, and modified . A typical water softener is sodium 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.
For ferrous metals, the cleaners contain , abrasives, and . These agents include citric acid and , which are nonaggressive. Surfactants are usually modified . Silver cleaning is a specialty since silver is noble but tends to tarnish via formation of black silver sulfide, which is removable via silver-specific such as thiourea.
Stainless steel, nickel, and chromium cleaners contain lactic acid, citric acid, or phosphoric acid. A solvent () may be added.
Nonferrous metal cleaners contain ammonia, ammonium soaps (ammonium oleate, stearate) and (ammonium citrate, ammonium 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, watch cleaning solution from HOROCD & even cleaning metal plates from Holland Hallmark.
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.
Household silver can be freed of silver sulfide tarnish with thiourea, and either hydrochloric or sulfuric acid.
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