Cleaning Chemicals 

Cleaning Chemicals - Types, Uses, and Suppliers

Cleaning solutions are crucial to people's daily lives, helping to control allergies such as dust and mould, and preventing the spread of infectious diseases by removing soil, bacteria and other contaminants.

Laundry detergents, bleaches, dishwashing detergents and other household cleaners all contain chemicals that can help increase the effectiveness of cleaning and the cleanliness of homes, businesses and other environments.

Chlorinated cleaning solutions help prevent the flu and food-borne illnesses, antibacterial cleaners help kill germs, and cleaning solvents, which are generally highly biodegradable, help dissolve fats and oils.

The Federal Act on Hazardous Substances requires precautionary labelling on the packaging of any consumer product that poses a risk of injury. This is to encourage consumers to store and use these items carefully and to provide information on the correct first aid procedures to follow in the event of an accident.

Types of Cleaning Chemicals

Consumers can save money and energy by washing their clothes in cold water rather than boiling, thanks to the chemicals in cleaning products such as detergents. In addition, chemically enhanced formulations for highly concentrated liquid detergents produce less waste and require less packaging.

Household cleaning products that contain antibacterial chemicals can not only remove dirt and grime, but also kill germs that can make people sick.

Cleaning products with chlorine can help prevent seasonal flu outbreaks and food-borne illnesses. To keep the environment germ-free, nurseries, hospitals, restaurants and other public buildings rely on the disinfecting properties of chlorine-based cleaning products.

Soaps

Both washing-up liquid and laundry soap contain soaps and detergents that are used to emulsify fats and greases. Dishwashing liquid is safe to use around children and animals. The safety of laundry soap depends on the brand and any additional chemicals it may contain.

Acid Cleaners

To clean sinks, bathtubs, and toilets, use strong acid cleaners. They eliminate soap scum, toilet rings, and hard water deposits. Strong acids are extremely corrosive, particularly to metals, cloth, and concrete. Strong acids are those found in phosphoric and hydrofluoric acid-containing cleaning products.

Mild Acids

Levulinic acid, acetic acid, hydroxyacetic acid, citric acid and gluconic acid are all included in the group of mild acids that are detergents. They are most commonly used to remove rust stains, tarnish and hard water deposits from around sinks and shower doors. Children and pets are safe around mild acid cleaners made from acetic or citric acids.

Solvents

Chemicals called solvents are used in cleaning to dissolve grease and oil. Acetones, denatured alcohols and mineral spirits are some examples of ingredients in solvents. Spot cleaners, carpet cleaners and all-purpose cleaners are examples of cleaners that contain solvents. They must be kept away from intense heat and open flames as they are often flammable and combustible.

Uses of Cleaning Chemicals

Consumers can save money and energy by washing their clothes in cold water rather than boiling, thanks to the chemicals in cleaning products such as detergents. In addition, chemically enhanced formulations for highly concentrated liquid detergents produce less waste and require less packaging.

Household cleaning products that contain antibacterial chemicals can not only remove dirt and grime, but also kill germs that can make people sick.

Cleaning products with chlorine can help prevent seasonal flu outbreaks and food-borne illnesses. To keep the environment germ-free, nurseries, hospitals, restaurants and other public buildings rely on the disinfecting properties of chlorine-based cleaning products.

Safety Measures to Follow when Using Cleaning Chemicals

It's a good idea to follow these cleaning safety tips-

1. Add non-slip strips to carpets to reduce slips and falls.

2. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from chemicals.

3. Never mix chemicals.

4. Keep cleaning products out of the reach of children and animals.

5. Always dilute cleaning solutions before use.

6. Allow rooms to breathe before cleaning.

7. Always read the instructions before use.

8. Dishcloths should be changed often to prevent bacteria and mould.

9. Never leave loose objects, such as toys, on steps to prevent tripping.

Commonly Used Cleaning Chemicals in Industries

Bleach

Bleach is hypochlorite As bleach corrodes stainless steel, it must be used in the biosafety cabinet after a thorough rinse. Do not autoclave bleach solutions.

For cleaning applications, prepare bleach solutions as follows:

For use within 30 days, make 12,500 ppm or 1.25% hypochlorite solution by mixing 12.5% hypochlorite (industrial strength bleach) with a 1:10 dilution (one part industrial strength bleach to nine parts water).

6.250 ppm or a 0.625% hypochlorite solution is made by mixing 12.5% hypochlorite (industrial strength bleach) with a 1:20 dilution (one part industrial strength bleach to nineteen parts water). This solution should be used within one week.

Alcohols

Three parts water to seven parts 95% ethanol or isopropanol gives a 70% ethanol or isopropanol (or isopropyl alcohol) solution. Methanol should not be used instead of ethanol or isopropanol because it is less effective and unhealthy. Ethanol and isopropanol solutions should never be stored near anything that could catch fire. These solutions should be dated and marked with an expiry date of 180 days. For some micro-organisms, isopropanol and ethanol are not equally effective in killing them.

Alcohol has a wide range of virucidal activity. Depending on the organism, higher concentrations of alcohol may be less effective than solutions containing 60-90% alcohol. Comparable ethanol solutions may not be as effective in killing noroviruses as isopropanol. Contact with both alcohol solutions must be moist

Chlorine dioxide

ClO2 is a powerful and fast-acting oxidant, disinfectant and germicide that is often claimed to be effective at concentrations lower than those required by chlorine bleach. However, activated solutions have a shelf life of only one day, so if used, a new solution must be made every day. If you're using a commercial product such as Clidox or Vimoba, use it according to the manufacturer's instructions and until the recommended expiry date.

While chlorine dioxide is gaseous and unstable, it is soluble in water and stable as an aqueous solution. The stabilised form of chlorine dioxide, which is then activated on site as required, can be ordered.

Peracetic Acid & Hydrogen Peroxide

Peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are powerful broad-spectrum germicides and strong oxidising agents, similar to chlorine. They are also less harmful to humans and the environment than chlorine. However, unless a stabilised commercial product is used, they have a short shelf life of only five days for diluted solutions, so fresh solutions must be prepared regularly as required.

Both a ready-to-use 3% solution and a 30% aqueous solution, which must be diluted 5-10 times with sterilised water, are available as forms of hydrogen peroxide. However, hydrogen peroxide alone in such 3-6% solutions is a relatively slow and ineffective germicide. The hydrogen peroxide content of products already on the market has been stabilised, its germicidal activity has been accelerated and it is less corrosive.

(Wescodyne) Iodophor Disinfectant1

Follow the label instructions to prepare this solution. The ideal concentration is 0.47%. These solutions must be dated and labelled with an expiry date of 365 days (one year).

Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)1

Quats are used to disinfect vegetative bacteria and non-lipid viruses at concentrations of 0.1% to 2%. Quaternary ammonium compounds can be neutralised by anionic detergents but are ineffective against spores. Quats may be less effective against certain organisms, such as noroviruses, and may require longer contact times to be beneficial.
 

FAQs: Cleaning Chemicals

Q. What are the 5 cleaning chemicals?

Ans. The most common chemicals used for cleaning are-

• Hypochlorite (bleach)

• Alcohols

• Chlorine Dioxide

• Hydrogen peroxide & peracetic acid

• Iodophor Disinfectants (Wescodyne)

• Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)

Q. What are Cleaning Chemicals?

Ans. Detergents, often referred to as hard surface cleaners, are chemicals used to clean surfaces by removing dirt, dust, stains, odours and grime. They are typically liquids, powders, sprays or granules.

Q. Which chemical is used for cleaning?

Ans. Alkaline cleaning solutions such as bleach (pH 12) and ammonia (pH 11) are often used. The alkaline agent is often used with dispersants to prevent redeposition of dissolved soil and chelating agents to combat rust. Fats (including grease), oils and protein-based compounds can all be broken down by alkaline cleaners.

Q. What are the methods of chemical cleaning?

Ans. Chemical cleaning is the process of using chemical solutions to remove fouling deposits from process equipment. Inorganic salt deposits are broken down by mineral acids, which are entirely chemical in nature. Physical means such as steam or turbulent water flow can also assist in cleaning.

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