PH Role in Cleaner

PH can be your friend or foe, depending on the way you use the cleaner.

I. PH Basic Concepts

PH is a measure of the degree of acidity or alkalinity of an aqueous solution, which is a numerical value ranging from 0-14, where 0-7 indicates acidity, 7-14 indicates alkalinity, and 7 indicates neutrality. In the cleaning industry, PH plays a crucial role in the selection of cleaning agents. Therefore, before understanding how to choose the right cleaning agent, we need to understand the basic concept of PH value.

When chemicals are dissolved in water, the pH of the mixture becomes either acidic or alkaline (basic).

Vinegar and lemon juice are acidic, while laundry detergent and ammonia are alkaline.

At pH 7.0, pure water is neutral.

Acids and bases are the two extremes that describe chemical properties, such as the two extremes of temperature described by heat and cold.

PH (hydrogen potential) is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance when dissolved in water. Just as degrees are used to measure precise temperatures, pH provides a precise measure of acidity or alkalinity.

Mixing acids and bases eliminates their extreme effects, just as mixing hot and cold water ‘evens out’ the temperature of the water.

Extremely acidic or alkaline substances are called ‘reactive’ and can cause severe burns. Examples include car battery acid (very acidic) and drain cleaners (very alkaline).

Unlike the temperature scale, the pH scale is logarithmic. In other words, each number is 10 times or less the function of the next or previous number. pH 8 is 10 times more alkaline than pH 7, pH 9 is 100 times more alkaline than pH 7, and so on.

II. PH Range of Usage of Different Cleaners

Cleaning agents with different pH values are suitable for different cleaning scenarios. Acidic cleaners such as hydrochloric acid are suitable for cleaning bacteria from corrosive drains and toilet rims. Alkaline cleaners are suitable for removing aged dirt on the surface of toilet bowls and floor tiles as well as limescale inside the toilet bowl. Neutral cleaners with a pH value of 7, on the other hand, are suitable for cleaning acid and alkali resistant materials such as tiles.

1. Acid cleaners

Usually contain acid compounds, such as hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid, acetic acid or other organic acids, and are used in acidic concentrations.

This type of cleaner uses the neutralising effect of acids and alkalis to clean items (with the exception of those containing concentrated sulphuric acid). Therefore, theoretically, all alkaline stains or things with alkaline characteristics can be cleaned with acidic cleaners (e.g. stones, magnesium diamond land surface, the outer layer of buildings, tea stains, coffee stains, etc.). Another property of acid cleaners is that they can reduce oxides, so they are used for removing rust, removing salt stains, and cleaning the evaporator and condenser of air-conditioners.

2. Alkaline cleaners

Containing potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide or other alkalis, the concentration used is alkaline.

Theoretically, it also uses its acid-base neutralising effect. So all acidic stains or acidic substances can be neutralised with alkaline cleaners. Another characteristic of alkaline detergents is that when mixed with oils and fats, they turn water-insoluble oils and fats into semi-soluble substances (mostly milky white in colour). Therefore, cleaning agents used for greasing are alkaline. Strong alkali (such as potassium hydroxide) is more active, so it is used for waxing. Dishwashing detergent wholesale understanding of alkaline cleaners are widely used, from the industrial oil to remove carbon (such as heavy machinery oil to remove carbon, restaurant kitchen cleaning), to clean furniture, glass, floor, electrical appliances can be used.

Detergents are truly alkaline cleaning agents. As a kitchen product, detergent is the nemesis of grease, and is mainly used to remove animal and plant oils and greases, the main component of which is fatty acids, which are acidic in nature.

III. Main Differences Between Acid And Alkaline Cleaners

1. Acid cleaners have the function of sterilising and deodorising and removing alkaline stains and dirt; alkaline cleaners remove some greasy dirt and acidic dirt.

2. Different ingredients:

Alkaline detergent, its main surfactants and other raw materials compounded; acidic detergent is to amine, additives as raw materials, by mixing and dissolving and made of a detergent.

3. Different PH value:

Alkaline detergent PH value, alkaline value is relatively high, the general PH value is greater than 7. Acidic detergent PH value, acidic value is relatively high, the general ph value is less than 7, the human skin have some harm.

4. Principle of alkaline cleaner degreasing

① saponification: metal surface grease in animal and vegetable oils (the main component is stearic acid), and alkaline detergent alkali generated sodium stearate (i.e., soap) and glycerol dissolved into the alkaline solution, commonly known as the saponification reaction to remove metal surface grease.

② emulsification: emulsifier for the surface-active substances, adsorbed at the interface, hydrophobic groups to the metal matrix, hydrophilic groups in the direction of the solution, so that the interfacial tension between the metal and the solution to reduce the role of factors such as hydrodynamic, the oil film rupture into tiny beads, out of the metal surface, to the formation of emulsion in solution. Saponification and emulsification are complementary to each other, cooperate with each other in order to completely remove the metal surface oil.

③ Soak wetting effect: saponification and emulsification are from the surface of the oil gradually, so that the alkaline solution containing alkaline agent to penetrate the interior of the oil and grease, to reach and wet the surface of the workpiece to enhance the degreasing effect, which is the surfactant soak wetting effect. In addition, it also has a dispersing effect, and disperses the oil and grease removed from the workpiece into the solution.

5. Acid cleaner principle

Acid cleaner in addition to grease is a very widely used method. It uses surfactant emulsification, wetting, penetration principle, and with the help of acid corrosion of metal hydrogen mechanical stripping effect, to achieve the intention of removing grease.

IV. Choose the Right PH

The key factor in choosing a cleaning agent based on its pH is the rate at which it needs to work.

Most cleaning chemicals are inherently alkaline because hydrolysis (saponification), chelation and dispersion of dirt usually occurs most effectively at alkaline pH.

Other factors such as time, agitation and temperature also play a critical role in the cleaning process.

Whilst longer time, more agitation and higher temperatures can achieve greater stain removal, this should be balanced against the damage these higher factors can cause to the carpet or fibres.

The higher the pH, the more aggressive the cleaner and the more damage it can cause to pH sensitive fibres and dyes; this is made worse by the high temperatures used in steam cleaning and the higher alkalinity.

Alkaline cleaners work best when dirt can be hydrolysed, such as kitchen fats and oils containing natural oils and greases, natural fats and oils, body oils and certain proteins.

How quickly can alkaline cleaners damage fibres? With dyes, damage can be instantaneous and is usually irreversible. The same is true for stain-resistant fibres. For indicator dyes, the change may be reversible. For the fibres themselves, such as proteins or silk, the damage will be slower, but corrective action must be taken immediately.

Hand-knotted wool rugs are treated rigorously during the washing and finishing processes in the manufacturing process, and lustre can be achieved through the use of caustic soda and bleach in the presence of inorganic acids. There is therefore no room for error as the carpet may have taken on a lustre but as a result become very brittle.

The table below shows the types of dirt that can be cleaned at specific pH levels.

V. Alkaline vs. Acidic for Different Types of Materials

Most cleaning chemicals are alkaline because these solution types are suitable for cleaning stains, grease, oil and other organic materials. On the other side of the pH range, acids are more effective in dealing with minerals such as rust spots and calcium buildup. In terms of cleaning products, right in the middle, dishwashing liquid is closest to neutral.

Bleach: pH 11-13

Bleach is one of the most common cleaning products used in domestic and commercial environments. This particular product has a pH value between 11 and 13. Its high alkalinity makes it corrosive. Therefore, ventilation is important when using bleach. For the safety of the cleaner and for the benefit of the surfaces on which it is used, it should be used carefully and strictly according to the instructions. Because bleach is so strong, it is not safe on many surfaces or fabrics, but it is great for eliminating stains and whitening affected areas.

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Ammonia: pH 11-13

Ammonia is another common cleaning product that has the same values in the pH range. It is also corrosive, requires maintenance and ventilation, and should not be mixed with other cleaning products or ingredients. Ammonia is useful when you are dealing with stubborn dirt and stains. The same goes for bathtub and tile cleaners. At home or in the office, these can be used on stubborn dirt and stain spots throughout the bathroom, not just the shower. Their alkalinity also makes them ideal for toilets, countertops and sinks.

Borax and baking soda: pH 8-10

As we inch closer to neutrality on the scale, we find products like Borax and Baking Soda. Borax tends to favour the alkaline side of the scale, making it ideal for breaking down organic matter such as dirt and oil. But at a pH of 10, it's not as corrosive as heavier products like ammonia and bleach. Just before we used friendly, neutral, traditional dishwashing detergent cleaners, we had baking soda with a pH of 8 or 9. It's alkaline enough to eliminate dirt and grease, yet close enough to neutral to be less caustic than borax. As a quality, neutral daily cleaner, the mild detergent won't harm your skin and is safe on most surfaces.

Acidic cleaning products: pH < 7

By far the more common cleaning products are those on the basic side of the pH scale. But that doesn't mean we don't have any use for products on the basic side of the scale. Things like stone cleaners, vinegar, lemon juice and toilet cleaners have their uses at home and in the office. These are usually better suited for cleaning things like mineral or hard water deposits, milder rust stains, soap film buildup, and polishing brass or copper items in the kitchen, bathroom, or other areas. Choosing the right cleaning products can save you time, money and frustration. Depending on the surface you are cleaning, using the wrong product can be ineffective or even damaging.

PH plays a vital role in cleaning, it determines the range of application of cleaning products and the effectiveness of cleaning.

Acidic cleaning products, such as hydrochloric acid, are suitable for cleaning bacteria from corrosive drains and toilet rims. This is because acidic cleaning products are effective at removing stubborn stains and dirt, but they can cause corrosive damage to surfaces if not used correctly.

Alkaline cleaning products are suitable for removing aged dirt from toilet and floor tile surfaces and limescale from inside the toilet bowl. Alkaline cleaning products may be gentler on the surface but may not be as effective in removing certain types of stains.

Neutral cleaning products, suitable for cleaning acid and alkali resistant materials such as ceramic tiles, as they are neither strongly corrosive nor likely to cause damage to the surface.

Choosing the right PH value for your cleaning product is essential to ensure effective cleaning and minimise the risk of surface and material damage. Understanding the range of cleaning agents with different PH values can help us to better select and use cleaning products to achieve optimum cleaning results!

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