CLEANING AGENTS

Cleaning Agents are substances, usually in liquid form, that are used to remove dirt, including dusts, stains, bad smells and clutter in solid
surfaces. Purposes of using cleaning agents include
health, beauty, elimination of offensive odor, and to avoid the spreading of dirt and contaminants to oneself and others. Some cleaning agents
can kill bacteria & other microbes and clean at the
same time. Cleanliness is a basic need that a hotel must fulfill and industrial cleaning agents are often the easiest, most efficient and economical
option available.

TYPES OF CLEANING AGENTS
Various types of cleaning agents are used for cleaning the guest rooms, bathroom, toilets and other public areas. Typical cleaning agents include
aqueous and semi-aqueous cleaning agents, solvents, acids, alkalis and abrasives. The different types of cleaning agents used are discussed
below:

SoIvents
A solvent is a liquid that dissolves a solid or liquid solute,resulting in a solution. The most common solvent used in everyday life is water. t is the
simplest cleaning agent and some forms of dirt
will be dissolved by it, but normally unless it is used in conjunction with some other agent like detergent, water is not an effective cleaning agent.
Precaution must be taken to change the water frequently when it gets dirty because it could leave a film of dirt instead of
removing it. Warm water dissolves soap more readily than cold water; hence it must be used to remove dirty soap lather. Caution must be taken
that the water is 'soft' as most detergents are
ineffective with hard water. Moreover, hard water does not wet the surface adequately which is a precondition for good cleaning action.

Detergents & Soaps
Detergent is a compound, or a mixture of compounds, intended to assist cleaning. The term is sometimes used to differentiate between soap and
other chemical surfactants used for
cleaning purposes. Detergents and soaps are used for cleaning because pure water can't remove oily, organic soiling. Soap cleans by acting as
an emulsifier. Basically, soap allows oil and water to mix so that oily grime can be removed during rinsing. Detergents are primarily surfactants
(Example Tween 20), w h i c h are produced from petrochemicals. Surfactants lower the surface tension of water, essentially making it 'wetter' so
that it is less likely to stick to itself and more likely to interact with oil and grease. Detergents are similar to soap, but they are less likely to form
films (soap scum) and are not as affected by the presence of minerals in water (hard water). There are several factors that dictate what
compositions of detergents should be used, including the material to be cleaned, the apparatus to be used, and tolerance for and type of dirt.

Abrasives
Abrasive cleaners generally use some kind of grit to boost their cleaning ability, along with detergents, acids, alkalis and other compounds. Some
are in powder form while others are suspensions
of abrasive in liquid. The quartz or silica that constitutes the grit will easily scratch and / or damage softer surfaces such as laminate, fiberglass,
stainless steel, etc. Even on very hard surfaces such as porcelain, use caution. Over time, abrasives will dull and scratch the surface.
Abrasives can be classified as:

Fine abrasive: includes whiting (filtered chalk), jewels rouge (a pink oxide of iron).
Medium abrasive: includes scouring powders and paste.Scouring powders are made up of fine minerals generally lime stone or calcite mixed with
soap or detergent and alkali to remove grease and little bleach.
Hard abrasive: includes sand paper, steel wool etc. Other examples are glass, sand and emery papers, steel wool, nylon web, powdered pumice
and fine ash. These are used as finely
ground powder, example are scouring powders like Vim or liquid or cream form.

Abrasive cleaners will often work where others fail.Liquid abrasive cleaners are generally more expensive but are more convenient to use.

Liquid CIeaning Agents
Liquid cleaning agents can be either diluted in a little water or used directly with a dry cloth.
Ammonia is alkali which softens water and emulsifies grease.
Methylated sprits are effective against grease stains.
Paraffin is also grease solvent.
Turpentine is a grease and paint solvent.
Vinegar is a mild acid (acetic acid) unaffected by hard water and useful in removing light stains in baths.
Hydrochloric acid is useful in removing stubborn stains in bathrooms but care must be taken in its use as it is damaging to the skin and destroys
fabrics and light bathroom fittings.
Carbon tetrachloride is also excellent grease solvent. Care must be exercised there, too, as the fumes are corrosive and harmful.

Washing Soda
This agent is quite outdated due to the advent of domestic detergents like vim, etc. However, it is particularly useful for emulsifying grease on
drain pipes, gutters or stone surfaces. n strong concentration, it could be an irritant and injurious to skin, fabrics brushes, wood and paint.
Washing soda is useful as a water softener and it is a chlorinated compound.

Soda-bars, Powders and FIakes
Nowadays soaps have been replaced by excellent synthetic soap less detergents which are unaffected by hard water. n this case rinsing is not
important as these products suspend dirt and grit
most effectively without leaving a smear. However, some housekeepers may not have access to these detergents and may have to rely on
soaps.

Powders and flakes are useful in getting instant lather but are expensive. When used, care should be taken that they are thoroughly dissolved.
Being expensive, one should know exactly
how much powder or flake is dissolved to get an optimum concentration for best results and also how long the resultant solution is effective. Good
bar soaps are still most economical but
much more strenuous to use than modern methods. They should be stored on open shelves in a dry store.

Window CIeansers
Window cleansers consist of water miscible solvent to which a small quantity of surfactant and possibly an alkali are added-to improve the polish
effect of the cleanser. Some also contain fine
abrasive. The cleanser is applied with a cleaning rag and rubbed off with a clean soft cloth. Cleansers can also be applied by spraying and the
surface wiped clean.

Acids and AIkaIi
The cleaning action is carried out by chemicals such as:
Acid: Acids are used for the removal of metal stains.Vinegar and lemon are used for the removal of tarnish of copper and brass and of mild
water stains on bath tubs, etc. More resistant water stains may be removed with stronger acids such as oxalic acid or hydrochloric acid. This
should be only used under strict and experienced supervision so that too much is not used and is carefully applied.
Alkali: Caustic soda, sodium hydroxide and ammonia are alkalis and are used as grease emulsifiers and stain removal agents. Strong alkaline
cleaning agents based on caustic soda in flakes or in liquid form are available for the cleaning, of blocked drains, and other large industrial
equipments. Extreme care is to be taken in their use as they are very strong and are highly corrosive.

Absorbents
These perform the cleaning action by absorbing the stain or grease e.g. starch, French chalk powders, and besan or gram flour. Their
constituents vary and many are of vegetable origin. Unlike
abrasives, they are not manufactured.

Paraffin OiI
Paraffin is wax like or liquid hydrocarbon mixture used as solvent. t is also efficient for the cleaning of baths but owing to its smell it is seldom
used. Organic solvents such as methylated spirit,
white spirit (turpentine substitute) and carbon tetrachloride are grease solvents and are used for the removal of grease and wax from different
surfaces. Aerosol dry cleansers are suitable for use
on wallpapers.

PoIishes
They do not necessarily clean but produce a shine by providing a smooth surface from which light is reflected evenly. They do this by smoothing
out any unevenness on the surface of the articles. Polishes fall into three broad categories - spirit based, oil based and water based. Spirit based
is used primarily for mirrors, window panes, etc. Oil based is used on wood, linoleum and synthetic floorings, leather, tiles, etc. Water based is
used on sealed floors, rubber and thermoplastic floors.Polishes may be used only after dirt and dust has been removed from surfaces. t should
be used in small quantities. Ensure that the correct type of polish is used with the correct method of polishing. Polishes come in three forms liquid,
paste & cream.

Disinfectants, Antiseptics & Deodorants
Disinfectants, antiseptics and deodorants are not strictly cleaning agents but are often used during cleaning operations.Disinfectants kill bacteria,
antiseptics prevent bacterial growth and deodorants mask unpleasant smell by combining chemically with the particles producing the offensive
smell.

SELECTION OF CLEANING AGENTS
1. Mild cleaning agents are generally preferred for cleaning as they are less injurious.
2. Strong chemicals and abrasives may be easy to clean and the surface would look better, but on the long run it may damage the surface.
3. Cleaning agents have to be purchased in manageable containers as bulk purchases could cause congestion in stores. The containers must
have reliable lids, corks as defective ones could result in wastage due to evaporation.
4. Strong smelling agents like paraffin must be avoided due to the offensive smells they lend to the environment.
5. Pollutant free / less polluting cleaning agents should be used to protect not only the hotel staff and guests but also people at large.