The Science Of Clean: Understanding Cleaning Products

Maintaining a consistent housekeeping routine is crucial to promoting a healthy, hygienic, and harmonious living environment. Whether you’re giving your old home a fresh start or preparing a rental property in the Gold Coast for the final rental inspection, understanding the science behind cleaning products and chemicals can help achieve better outcomes.

The best part is that cleaning awareness can create a healthier environment- good for the regional ecosystem. When you discover the chemical compounds of surfactants, acidic acids and common household cleaning products, you can make eco-conscious decisions to spruce up your home like a pro. It will also make it easy to tackle stubborn stains, grime and grease using the right combination of products and proper tools.

So, consider the following guide to understand the science behind cleaning products. We’ve covered everything, including detergents, acidic cleaners and disinfectants, to help create a spotless home on the Gold Coast, QLD.

1. Unveiling the Chemistry of Household Cleaning Products

People hire experts for professional Bond Cleaning Gold Coast because they know the chemical reactions of different cleaning products. It is important to understand that there are three types of components in cleaning products, including:

Surfactants: Lifts Dirt and Stains

Surfactants are the most common compounds in cleaning products. They reduce the surface tension of water, allowing it to spread and penetrate stains, grease, and grime more effectively. The majority of cleaning products, such as dishwashing agents, laundry detergents, and soaps, contain surfactants.

According to the experts, surfactants have a hydrophilic (that loves water) end and a hydrophobic end that repels water to remove stains and grime. When it comes into the contact with dirt, the hydrophobic end lifts the oil and grease, while the hydrophilic end binds with water. This increases the cleaning efficiency and helps dislodge dirt easily.

Using Solvents to Remove Grime

Solvents are liquid substances that dissolve other materials without chemically changing them. For instance, water is a universal solvent. However, you need a powerful solvent to tackle dirt, grime and buildup grime from surfaces. Some of the most common solvents are isopropyl alcohol and ethanol.

Bleach is also a powerful solvent for removing rust stains, grime, and gunk from different surfaces. However, it releases toxic fumes that can pose serious health threats, such as coughing, breathing issues, allergies, etc. So, be careful when using bleach-based solvents in a home setup.

Enzymes: Promotes Cleaning Efficiency

Enzymatic cleaners contain enzymes that break down protein-based stains, such as grease, blood, and grass, and accelerate the chemical reactions of cleaning agents. You can use enzyme-based products to remove pet stains from carpets, rugs, and other areas without causing any damage.

2. Understanding Different Cleaning Agents For Stains & Grime

If you want to know the science behind different cleaning products, examine the following agents used to clean and disinfect almost all surfaces.

Mild Detergents and Soaps for Mild Stains and Grime

Detergents are surfactants, and they can help remove different types of stains, such as oil, grime, and gunk, from almost all surfaces. You can mix detergent powder or liquid soap with hot water to increase the chemical efficiency and attract dirt more effectively.

Apart from washing dishes, dirty clothes, and other soft furnishings, detergents can also be used as cleaning agents to clean windows, floors, toilet seats, and other surfaces. Ensure you rinse the surface with plain water to remove soap residue. Try to avoid cleaning products and detergents that contain hazardous chemicals.

Acidic Cleaners: White Vinegar, Lemon & Cream of Tartar

Acidic cleaners are cleaning agents with a low pH (less than 7). The products containing acidic acid, citric acid and potassium Bitartrate are effective in removing rust stains, mineral deposits and hard water stains from different surfaces. Instead of using store-bought cleaners, use natural acidic cleaning agents, such as white vinegar (2.5 pH level), lemon juice (2-3 pH level) and cream of tartar.

You can prepare a DIY all-purpose cleaning agent using this product to clean your rental property like a pro. However, bond cleaning Gold Coast experts don’t recommend using acidic cleaners on natural stone surfaces like marble, limestone, granite, etc., as they can cause damage. Instead, use alkaline-based products.

Alkaline Cleaning Agents: Ammonia, Baking Soda and Bleach

The alkaline cleaners have a high pH level (above 7) and are great for cutting through buildup grease, oil stains and protein-based messes with perfection. They are commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms.

When it comes to store-bought alkaline cleaners, ammonia- and bleach-based products are way too popular. Unfortunately, these hazardous chemicals pollute the indoor air, causing serious health concerns. Excessive use of bleach and ammonia can also pose a threat to our environment—waterways and the entire ecosystem.

The eco-friendly alternative: Baking soda is a versatile cleaning agent for stains, grime, and bad odours. Use it in paste form to clean your oven, stovetop, countertops, tiles, and natural stone surfaces.

3. Understanding Disinfectants To Banish Lingering Germs

Cleaning and disinfection are two different processes for achieving a sparkling and healthy home. Cleaning removes visible stains and grime while disinfecting kills lingering germs and bacteria from surfaces. So, you need effective products that can effectively work against pathogens and harmful microbes.

One of the most natural disinfectants you can use is rubbing alcohol. To banish germs, spray a 70 per cent solution on contaminated surfaces, such as doorknobs, tables, light switches, chair handles, different types of electronic devices, etc.

Hydrogen peroxide is also effective in killing mould spores on various surfaces. Spray, leave it for a few minutes, and gently scrub.

4. Know the Role of Mechanism Action

The physical action of cleaning, such as wiping, mopping, and scrubbing, plays a pivotal role in increasing cleaning efficiency. The mechanical action can boost the power of cleaning products and help you tackle all types of stains using the right tools, such as a sponge, scrubbing pads, brushes, magic erasers, and a vacuum cleaner. These tools help seniors to maintain a clean home without much elbow grease.

If you don’t have any of these tools, book experts for a budget Bond Cleaning Gold Coast and secure your deposited security at the end of your tenancy.

What the Science of  Different Cleaning Products?

Wrapping up

There is no denying that cleaning is a science. Understanding the basic principles of different cleaning agents, disinfection, and mechanical actions is crucial for better results. With the help of this guide, you can easily clean your home and create a hygienic indoor space for your family.