Cleaning agents, also known as hard-surface cleaners, are substances used to remove dirt, including dust, stains, foul odors, and clutter on surfaces. They come in many forms, including liquid, powder, cream, and granules, and can be basic, acidic, or neutral depending on their intended use. There are four main categories of cleaning agents: detergents, degreasers, abrasives, and acids.
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Detergents: These reduce the surface tension of water and make it easier for cleaning products to disperse over a surface or into fabric. They include cleaning agents called surfactants, which are long chain hydrocarbons that are water-loving (hydrophilic) on one end and water-hating (hydrophobic) on the other. Detergents are used for washing dishes, doing laundry, and wiping countertops.
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Degreasers: These contain organic solvents to help dissolve oils and fats. They are used to clean greasy surfaces, such as kitchen appliances, engines, and industrial equipment.
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Abrasives: These are materials used for rubbing away dirt, grime, and other debris from surfaces. They need to be hard enough to remove soils, but not so hard that they damage the item being cleaned. Abrasives include steel wool, abrasive powder cleansers, and scrubby sponges.
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Acids: These are cleaning solutions with a pH of six or lower. They are used to remove hard water build-up, mineral deposits, rust, corrosion, and grease. Examples of acidic cleaners include white distilled vinegar, toilet bowl cleaner, and citrus-based cleaning products.
Cleaning agents can also be categorized based on their pH level. Acidic cleaning agents have a pH level below 7, alkaline cleaning agents have a pH level above 7, and neutral cleaning agents have a pH level of 7.
