Household Cleaners

Household cleaners are substances that are typically used to eliminate stains, smells, dirt, dust, and general clutter on a variety of surfaces. The use of household cleaners consist of providing a healthier space as some cleaners can remove harmful bacteria, the removal of harsh or offensive smells, and to prevent the spread of dirt and contaminants. There are a variety of different types of household cleaners that service different purposes.

Cleaners are typically water-based, with acidic, alkaline, or neutral washing agents added to them. The primary use of an acidic agent is to eliminate inorganic deposits, like lime scale. Alkaline agents serve to remove deposits that are formed of grease, fat, protein, or oil. Neutral agents are so named due to their neutral pH-level. Their purpose is to dispel different forms of dirt.

Just as there are different types of bases for cleaners, there are also different jobs for household cleaners. All-purpose cleaners can generally be used on any surface to clean any kind of deposit. Glass cleaners are hard surface cleaners that are lighter in composition as they are only to be used when cleaning glass. Metal cleaners contain non-aggressive components so as not to tarnish the metal during the cleaning process. Building façade cleaners are typically acidic, and require the surface to be thoroughly rinsed when the process is complete. The main purpose of a toilet bowl cleaner is to exterminate calcium carbonate deposits. Scouring agents consist of a mixture of the different cleaning chemicals, with the additional of abrasive agents, in order to thoroughly clean the surfaces they are used on.