How To Calculate The pH Level Of A Cleaning Solution

Are you ready to do a proper deep cleaning of your home for the holidays? Before spraying your cleaning solution over your surfaces to clear stains and dirt, you must determine its pH level first. The pH level of a cleaning solution will tell you how acidic or alkaline that solution is and where it will be most effective. Acidic cleaners like white vinegar and lemon juice can effectively remove rust stains, mineral deposits and limescale.

On the other hand, alkaline cleaners like baking soda and bleach are very effective at cutting through grease, oil, dirt and proteins.

Thus, the pH level is crucial to help you determine which cleaning solution to use on which stain. Bond cleaning experts in Gold Coast also calculate the pH level of a solution before using it to deep clean and maintain hygiene at your home. Using the right cleaning solutions can also kill germs and viruses like the COVID-19 pandemic and keep you and your family safe.

Here are some useful tips on a pH level and how to determine it.

What Is a pH Level

The pH level means the ‘potential of hydrogen’ present in substances.

A scale is used to calculate this pH level ranging from 0 to 14, which determines how many hydrogen ions are present in the substance.

If an item has a pH level that is 0 means it has no hydrogen ions and is acidic.

If an item has a pH level of seven or more, it has seven or more hydrogen ions in it and is more alkaline.

You can use this scale to calculate the pH level to understand how to use these solutions effectively to clean different stains in your home.

How to Choose Cleaning Solutions According To Their Ph Level

When you use cleaning solutions to deep clean and scrub stains and spills in your home, you are trying to neutralize the alkaline or acidic solutions. To this effect, cleaning experts who offer professional bond cleaning Gold Coast suggest using acidic cleaners on alkaline stains and vice-versa.

You will find that most of the stains and spills in your home are full of acidic ions; thus, most cleaners are alkaline. The least harmful solutions, such as water, dish soap, and baking soda, fall in the middle of the pH scale with a neutral value of 7 or close to 7.

Here is a breakdown of the pH levels of alkaline and acidic cleaning solutions to help you determine which products are safe to use in your home and for which stains:

Alkaline Solutions

Alkaline cleaning solutions have a pH level from 7 to 14 and are effective in removing fat and oil stains, as these stains are acidic in nature. Here are the pH levels of effective alkaline solutions that you can use:

1. Baking Soda (pH-8)

Professional bond cleaners on the Gold Coast recommend using baking soda as a natural cleaner in your home. This is because baking soda has a pH level of 8 and is slightly alkaline, so it can cut through and remove dirt and grease stains without harming you.

2. Dish soap (pH- 7)

You can use mild dish soap with a pH level of 7 almost anywhere in your home as it is a neutral substance. This means it is good for daily home cleaning and will not scratch or damage your surfaces.

3. Bleach (pH- 13)

Bleach is the most alkaline cleaning solution you will find, and thus you must use it cautiously. This substance is very effective at removing and whitening stains, but it is also very corrosive and thus should be used with caution.

Bond cleaners on Gold Coast suggest wearing gloves and a mask while cleaning with bleach, as it can release toxic fumes. It is also important not to mix bleach with other cleaners as it can release toxic gases, cause chest pain and nausea, and, in extreme cases, lead to poisoning.

Acidic Solutions

Acidic cleaning solutions have a pH level of 0-6 and are useful for breaking down alkaline ions like rust stains and calcium and mineral deposits. Here are some powerful acidic solutions and their pH levels:

1. Vinegar (pH-3)

Bond cleaners on the Gold Coast recommend vinegar as a green cleaning solution for your home. This is because vinegar contains acetic acid and has a pH level of 3, which makes it the perfect solution to wipe away calcium and mineral deposits.

But you must be careful when you use vinegar on some surfaces as the acidic content can scratch and damage some materials. For instance, it is better to avoid vinegar if you have stone or granite surfaces and floors.

2. Lemon (pH-3)

Lemon rinds and juice are also highly potent and acidic in nature, with a pH level of 3. This natural cleanser is great for getting rid of rust stains and for shining up copper pots, and smells great as well. However, like white vinegar, this lemon juice can damage stone and granite surfaces and thus should not be used on such surfaces.

Conclusion

Thus, when you determine the pH level of cleaning solutions, you will better understand what they will be good for. Acidic solutions like vinegar and lemons can break down alkaline solutions like rust and limescale with low pH levels.

On the other hand, alkaline solutions like bleach and baking powder are good for removing acidic stains and spills as they have high pH levels. You can always hire bond cleaning experts on the Gold Coast to deep clean your homes, as these experts know the pH level of cleaning solutions and will use suitable green cleaning solutions to spruce up your home.