BSFN100
ANGELICA RICHA 1-B September 9, 2015
MRS. VILLABROSA
ASSIGNMENT: CLEANING AGENT
TYPES OF CLEANING DETERGENTS
This standard includes general information on the different types of cleaning detergents, their typical uses, and their advantages and limitations. Sample products are listed when known.
SOAP
Uses:
1. A surfactant (Surface Active Agent).
2. Soaps are produced from naturally occurring fats and oils. Soapless or synthetic detergents are manufactured from organic chemicals usually derived from petroleum.
Advantages:
1. Very effective as a bactericide.
2. It will form gels, emulsify oil and lower the surface tension of water. A lower surface tension allows the soap to come in contact with greater surface area than with water alone.
Disadvantages:
1. When used in hard water, soap can produce a scum - calcium and magnesium salts present in hard water react with the soap to cause this to happen. Soapless or synthetic detergents do not leave a residual film behind.
2. Considerable rinsing is required to remove soap scum.
3. Soap may produce a greasy build-up on the surface which can be slippery.
4. More expensive than synthetic detergents.
Uses:
1. Commonly known as a "neutral" detergent.
2. The most widely used soapless detergent.
3. Available in both liquid or powder.
4. Manufactured from strong alkalis and weak acids.
5. Effectiveness is even greater when combined with a non-ionic detergent.
6. These detergents produce foam when used in excess quantities and, therefore, should only be used in the recommended amounts.
Advantages:
1. Safe for use on all floors and should not affect any pigment present in the floor covering.
2. Can safely be used on waxed or unwaxed floors or floors treated with a water emulsion floor wax or solvent-based wax.
3. Can be used in conjunction with mopping equipment or a polishing/scrubbing machine.
4. More effective than non-ionic detergents in the wetting of metal surfaces.
5. Very effective in removing inorganic dirt and soil.
6. Greater dirt carrying capacity than non-ionic detergents.
7. Fairly inexpensive.
Disadvantages:
1. Not very effective in hard water.
2. More difficult to rinse than non-ionic detergents.
3. Produces considerable foam.
Sample Products:
1. Natural soaps
NON-IONIC DETERGENTS
Uses:
1. These detergents do not ionize or carry a charge when dissolved in water.
2. They are manufactured from alkalis and acids of equal strengths and are, therefore, neither alkaline or acid. They have a pH value of 7.
3. Compatible with many ingredients and can, therefore, be included in a wide variety of formulations.
4. Acts as a foam booster when combined with other detergents such as anionic detergents.
Advantages:
1. Safe for use on all surfaces.
2. Produce less foam than anionic detergents.
3. Because of their low foam characteristics, they may be effectively used in conjunction with scrubbing machines or other cleaning equipment.
4. Easier to rinse.
5. More effective for use in hard water than anionic detergents.
6. Very effective for removing oils and grease.
Disadvantages:
1. Less effective than anionic detergents in the wetting of metal surfaces.
2. Generally more expensive than anionic detergents.
3. Mostly available in liquid form.
Sample Products:
1. "Orvus" (Procter & Gamble Co.)
2. "Joy" or "Ivory Liquid" (Procter & Gamble Co.)
3. "Zyfo" (Industrial Soap Co.) cleaner concentrate, a controlled suds, silicate buffered, non-ionic, rinseless-type synthetic detergent, containing no soap, free alkali, solvents, abrasives, acids, caustics or the like.
4. "Igepal 630" (Sigma-Aldrich Corporation)
CATIONIC DETERGENTS
Uses:
1. These detergents carry a positive charge when dissolved in water.
2. Manufactured from weak alkalis and strong acids. They are acidic in nature with a pH value less than 7.
Advantages:
1. Have low-foam characteristics.
2. These detergents carry anti-static properties and are effective in repelling dust. The positive charge in a cationic solution repels the positive charge carried by dust in the atmosphere.
3. Very effective as a bactericide, disinfectant and deodorizer.
Disadvantages:
1. More expensive than anionic and non-ionic detergents.
2. Used alone, these detergents are very ineffective. They are usually combined with non-ionic detergents for better cleaning effectiveness.
3. These detergents CANNOT be blended with anionic detergents, as each will cancel the other out, rendering the detergent completely ineffective.
