Create account Log in

Read Edit View

MorehistorySearch

Article Talk

Wiki Loves Earth in focus during May 2015

Discover nature, make it visible, take photos, help
Wikipedia!
Main page
Contents
Featured content
Current events
Random article
Donate to Wikipedia
Wikipedia store
Interaction

Cleaning agent
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cleaning agents are substances, usually liquids, powders, sprays, or granules,

that are used to remove dirt, including dust, stains, bad smells, and clutter on
surfaces. Purposes of cleaning agents include health, beauty, absence of

Help
About Wikipedia
Community portal
Recent changes
Contact page
Tools
What links here

offensive odor, avoidance of shame, and avoiding the spreading of dirt and
contaminants to oneself and others. Some cleaning agents can kill bacteria and
clean at the same time.
Contents [hide]
1 Types
1.1 Acidic

Related changes

1.2 Alkaline

Upload file

1.3 Neutral

Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Wikidata item
Cite this page
Print/export
Create a book
Download as PDF
Printable version
Languages

1.4 Degreaser
2 Common cleaning agents
3 See also
4 References

Types

[edit]

Cleaning agents normally water solutions that might be acidic, alkaline, or

neutral, depending on the use. Cleaning agents may also be solvent-based or
solvent-containing and are then called degreasers.[1][2]

etina
Italiano
Edit links

Acidic [edit]
Acidic washing agents are mainly used for removal of inorganic deposits like
scaling. The active ingredients are normally strong mineral acids and chelants.
Often, there are added surfactants and corrosion inhibitors. One common
mineral acid is Hydrochloric Acid, (also called Muriatic Acid), is typically used for
cleaning swimming pools and concrete. Vinegar can also be used to clean hard
surfaces, and aid in the removal of calcium deposit buildup. Sulfuric acid is
added into domestic acidic drain cleaners to unblock clogged pipes by
dissolving greases, proteins and even carbohydrate-containing substances (like
tissue paper).

Alkaline [edit]
Alkaline washing agents contain strong bases like sodium hydroxide and/or
potassium hydroxide. The alkali also dissolves grease, oils, fats, and proteinbased deposits. Often there are added dispersing agents to prevent
redeposition of dissolved dirt and/or chelants to attack rust on metal parts.
Bleach (pH 12) and Ammonia (pH 11) are also common Alkaline cleaning
agents. While many people believe that mixing cleaning agents together will
create a compound that is more powerful, this is false. Mixing cleaning agents
such as bleach and ammonia together can be dangerous or fatal .

Neutral [edit]
Neutral washing agents are pH-neutral and based on non-ionic surfactants that
disperse different types of dirt.

Degreaser [edit]
Cleaning agents specially made for removal of grease are called degreasers.
These may be solvent-based or solvent-containing and may also have
surfactants as active ingredients. The solvents have a dissolving action on
grease and similar dirt. The solvent-containing degreaser may have an alkaline
washing agent added to a solvent to promote further degreasing. Degreasing
agents may also be made solvent-free based on alkaline chemicals and/or
surfactants.

Common cleaning agents

[edit]

1. Water, the most common cleaning agent, which is a very powerful polar
solvent
2. Carbon tetrachloride (former)
3. Ammonia
4. Borax
5. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
6. Carbon dioxide
7. Calcium hypochlorite
8. Cyanuric acid (former)
9. Chromic acid
10. Ethanol or methanol (only in solutions)
11. Various forms of alcohol
12. Various chlorine compounds
13. Acetic acid (vinegar)
14. Trisodium phosphate
15. Sodium percarbonate
16. Sodium perborate
17. Coke[disambiguation needed]

See also

[edit]

Detergent
Parts cleaning
Washing
Parts washer
Panel edge staining
Green cleaning

References

[edit]

1. ^ Wisniewski, Karen (2007). "All-Purpose Cleaners and their Formulation". In

Tsoler, Uri. Handbook of detergents, Part 2. Surfactant science series. CRC
Press. ISBN 978-1-57444-757-6.
2. ^ "Cleaning agent" . Access Maids. Retrieved 28 November 2014.

Categories: Cleaning products

This page was last modified on 3 April 2015, at 13:31.

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.
By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia is a registered trademark
of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
Privacy policy

About Wikipedia Disclaimers

Contact Wikipedia Developers

Mobile view