🧪 Cleaning Science

Understanding the chemistry behind effective cleaning

What is pH?

0 Battery Acid
1
2 Lemon Juice 🍋
3 Vinegar
4
5
6
7 Pure Water 💧
8
9 Baking Soda
10
11 Ammonia
12
13 Bleach 🧴
14 Drain Cleaner
ACIDIC 0-6
NEUTRAL 7
ALKALINE 8-14

pH measures how acidic or alkaline a solution is on a scale from 0 to 14:

  • Acidic (0-6): Breaks down mineral deposits, rust, and soap scum
  • Neutral (7): Pure water - neither acidic nor alkaline
  • Alkaline/Basic (8-14): Cuts through grease, oils, and organic matter

Common Cleaning Agents by pH

Acidic Cleaners

pH 1-6

  • Vinegar (pH 2-3)
  • Lemon juice (pH 2)
  • Toilet bowl cleaners

Best for: Limescale, hard water stains, rust, mineral deposits

Neutral Cleaners

pH 7

  • Water
  • Dish soap (mild)
  • All-purpose cleaners

Best for: General cleaning, delicate surfaces

Alkaline Cleaners

pH 8-14

  • Baking soda (pH 8-9)
  • Ammonia (pH 11)
  • Bleach (pH 12-13)

Best for: Grease, oils, protein stains, organic matter

Key Cleaning Concepts

1. Surfactants

Molecules with one water-loving end and one oil-loving end. They break surface tension and allow water to mix with oils and dirt, lifting them away.

Examples: Dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo

2. Disinfection vs. Cleaning

Cleaning removes dirt and germs from surfaces.

Disinfecting kills germs using chemicals (like bleach or alcohol).

💡 Tip: Clean first, then disinfect for maximum effectiveness!

3. Contact Time

The time a cleaner needs to stay on a surface to work effectively. Most disinfectants need 3-10 minutes of contact time to kill germs.

4. Mechanical Action

Physical scrubbing or agitation helps break bonds between dirt and surfaces. Combine with the right chemical for best results.

5. Water Temperature

Warm water increases chemical activity and helps dissolve grease faster. Hot water (140-160°F) is best for sanitizing.

Mixing Safety Rules

⚠️ NEVER Mix These:

  • Bleach + Vinegar/Acids: Creates toxic chlorine gas
  • Bleach + Ammonia: Creates toxic chloramine gas
  • Hydrogen Peroxide + Vinegar: Creates corrosive peracetic acid

When in doubt, use one cleaner at a time and rinse between products!

Choosing the Right Cleaner

What are you cleaning?

Hard water stains, rust, mineral buildup

→ Use ACIDIC cleaner (vinegar, lemon juice)

Grease, oil, food residue

→ Use ALKALINE cleaner (dish soap, baking soda)

General dirt and dust

→ Use NEUTRAL cleaner (water + mild soap)

Kill germs and bacteria

→ Use DISINFECTANT (bleach solution, alcohol 70%+)

Test Your Knowledge

Take this quiz to verify your understanding of cleaning science concepts!

Question 1: What pH level is neutral?

Question 2: Which cleaner is best for grease and oil?

Question 3: What is the pH of vinegar?

Question 4: Which chemical combination is DANGEROUS?

Question 5: What should you do FIRST before disinfecting?

Question 6: What are surfactants?

Question 7: Which cleaner works best on hard water stains?

Question 8: What is the typical pH of bleach?

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