Cleaning agent
Encyclopedia
Cleaning agents are substances, usually liquids, that are used to remove dirt
, including dust
, stain
s, bad smells, and clutter on surfaces. Purposes of cleaning agents include health
, beauty, absence of offensive odor, avoidance of shame, and avoidance of spreading of dirt and contaminants to oneself and others. Some cleaning agents can kill bacteria
and clean at the same time.
-based or solvent-containing and is then called degreasers.
. The active ingredients are normally strong mineral acid
s and chelants. Often, there are added surfactants and corrosion inhibitor
s.
like sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide
. The alkali dissolves grease
, oils, fats
, and protein
-,based deposits. Often there are added dispersing agents to prevent redeposition of dissolved dirt and/or chelants to attack rust on metal parts.
-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.
Dirt
Dirt is unclean matter, especially when in contact with a person's clothes, skin or possessions when they are said to become dirty. Common types of dirt include:* dust — a general powder of organic or mineral matter...
, including dust
Dust
Dust consists of particles in the atmosphere that arise from various sources such as soil dust lifted up by wind , volcanic eruptions, and pollution...
, stain
Stain
A stain is a discoloration that can be clearly distinguished from the surface, material, or medium it is found upon. Stains are caused by the chemical or physical interaction of two dissimilar materials...
s, bad smells, and clutter on surfaces. Purposes of cleaning agents include health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
, beauty, absence of offensive odor, avoidance of shame, and avoidance of spreading of dirt and contaminants to oneself and others. Some cleaning agents can kill bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
and clean at the same time.
Types
Cleaning agents normally water solutions that might be acidic, alkaline, or neutral, depending on the use. Cleaning agents may also be solventSolvent
A solvent is a liquid, solid, or gas that dissolves another solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution that is soluble in a certain volume of solvent at a specified temperature...
-based or solvent-containing and is then called degreasers.
Acidic
Acidic washing agents are mainly used for removal of inorganic deposits like scalingFouling
Fouling refers to the accumulation of unwanted material on solid surfaces, most often in an aquatic environment. The fouling material can consist of either living organisms or a non-living substance...
. The active ingredients are normally strong mineral acid
Mineral acid
A mineral acid is an acid derived from one or more inorganic compounds. A mineral acid is not organic and all mineral acids release hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.-Characteristics:...
s and chelants. Often, there are added surfactants and corrosion inhibitor
Corrosion inhibitor
A corrosion inhibitor is a chemical compound that, when added to a liquid or gas, decreases the corrosion rate of a material, typically a metal or an alloy. The effectiveness of a corrosion inhibitor depends on fluid composition, quantity of water, and flow regime...
s.
Alkaline
Alkaline washing agents contain strong basesBase (chemistry)
For the term in genetics, see base A base in chemistry is a substance that can accept hydrogen ions or more generally, donate electron pairs. A soluble base is referred to as an alkali if it contains and releases hydroxide ions quantitatively...
like sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula KOH, commonly called caustic potash.Along with sodium hydroxide , this colorless solid is a prototypical strong base. It has many industrial and niche applications. Most applications exploit its reactivity toward acids and its corrosive...
. The alkali dissolves grease
Fat
Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and generally insoluble in water. Chemically, fats are triglycerides, triesters of glycerol and any of several fatty acids. Fats may be either solid or liquid at room temperature, depending on their structure...
, oils, fats
Fats
Fats may refer to:*Fat, a generic term for a class of lipids in biochemistry*Fats Domino, rock and roll pianist*Fats Waller, jazz pianist*Fats Navarro, jazz trumpeter*Singing Fats, master of ceremonies*Obesity...
, and protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
-,based deposits. Often there are added dispersing agents to prevent redeposition of dissolved dirt and/or chelants to attack rust on metal parts.
Neutral
Neutral washing agents are pH-neutral and based on non-ionic surfactants that disperse different types of dirt.Degreaser
Cleaning agents specially made for removal of grease are called degreasers. These may be solventSolvent
A solvent is a liquid, solid, or gas that dissolves another solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution that is soluble in a certain volume of solvent at a specified temperature...
-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.
See also
- Detergents
- Parts cleaningParts cleaningParts cleaning is essential to many industrial processes, as a prelude to surface finishing or to protect sensitive components. Electroplating is particularly sensitive to part cleanliness, since molecular layers of oil can prevent adhesion of the coating. ASTM B322 is a standard guide for cleaning...
- WashingWashingWashing is one way of cleaning, namely with water and often some kind of soap or detergent. Washing is an essential part of good hygiene and health....
- Parts washerParts washerA parts washer is a piece of equipment used to remove contaminants or debris, such as dirt, grime, carbon, oil, grease, metal chips, cutting fluids, mold release agents, ink, paint, and corrosion from workpieces...
- Panel edge stainingPanel Edge StainingPanel edge staining is a naturally occurring problem that occurs to anodized aluminium and stainless steel paneling and facades. It is semi-permanent staining that dulls the panel or facades surface , reducing the natural luster and shine produced by the anodizing processes used on the aluminium...