Household cleaning agents are auxiliary items used by people for house cleaning, and they come in various forms, with different chemical properties and functions. We should make full use of them when cleaning our homes and bring out their maximum efficiency.
1. Classification of Household Cleaning Agents
1. By form, they can be divided into liquid and solid (powder, paste).
2. By pH value, they can be divided into acidic cleaning agents, neutral cleaning agents, and alkaline cleaning agents.
3. By function, they can be divided into kitchen cleaning agents, bathroom cleaning agents, laundry detergents, glass cleaning agents, leather cleaning agents, carpet cleaning agents, etc.
2. Introduction to Commonly Used Cleaning Agents
1. Acidic Cleaning Agents
Acidic cleaning agents have a pH value less than 7 and are mostly in liquid form. These cleaning agents have certain bactericidal and deodorizing effects and can remove alkaline dirt such as lime stains, cement stains, water scale, and stubborn urine stains in the bathroom, as well as oxidized metal stains. In household cleaning, acidic cleaning agents are mainly used for bathroom cleaning. Commonly used acidic cleaning agents in households include peroxyacetic acid, bathroom cleaning agents (toilet cleaner, toilet cleanser, toilet agent, toilet cleaner), etc. These cleaning agents are generally used directly on objects without dilution.
Special Note: Acidic cleaning agents have a certain corrosive effect, and improper use can damage the skin and surface of objects.
2. Neutral Cleaning Agents
Neutral cleaning agents have a pH value of approximately 7 and come in liquid, powder, and paste forms. These cleaning agents have stain-removal and cleaning effects, and because they do not corrode or damage any items, they are commonly used in households. However, their effectiveness in removing stubborn stains is not ideal. Commonly used neutral cleaning agents in households include multi-functional cleaning agents for daily cleaning.
3. Alkaline Cleaning Agents
Alkaline cleaning agents have a pH value greater than 7 and come in liquid, powder, emulsion, and paste forms. These cleaning agents can effectively remove various types of acidic dirt, mechanical oil stains, and animal and plant oil stains from the surface of objects. In household cleaning, they are mainly used for kitchen cleaning. Commonly used alkaline cleaning agents in households include alkaline laundry powder, alkali flour, detergent, glass cleaning agent, etc.
When using these cleaning agents, a certain amount of water should be added first for dilution, then directly clean the items. There are two main categories of detergents used in kitchens:
One category is detergents used for washing tableware, vegetables, and fruits, such as detergents, dishwashing liquids, soaking agents, and dishwashing agents available on the market (collectively referred to as detergents in this book). These detergents are weakly alkaline, with minimal irritation to the skin, but may leave residues on the surface of tableware, so they must be rinsed repeatedly with clear water after use.
The other category is cleaning agents used for washing grease from stoves and range hoods, such as kitchen degreasers and heavy-duty grease removers available on the market. These cleaning agents are strongly alkaline and can easily damage hands, so direct contact should be avoided during use, and it is best to wear rubber gloves; otherwise, they can harm the skin. For cleaning ordinary grease, the cleaning agent should be diluted first and then applied to the surface of the object to be cleaned or wiped with a cloth. For cleaning heavy grease, sprinkle the cleaning agent evenly, let it sit for several minutes, then wipe with a cloth, brush, or old newspaper.
Soap and laundry powder should not be used for washing tableware and cookware.
3. Precautions for Using Common Household Cleaning Agents
1. Cleaning agents used in the kitchen should not be mixed with those used in the bathroom.
2. Do not mix several cleaning agents together when using them to avoid chemical reactions.
3. After using various cleaning agents and disinfectants, they should be placed in fixed locations and not stored together with food, especially if there are children at home. They should be kept out of reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion.
4. Acidic cleaning agents, highly alkaline cleaning agents, and undiluted disinfectants can irritate and corrode the skin. Skin contact should be avoided. If splashed on the skin or in the eyes, immediately rinse with large amounts of water.
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