Cleaning agents are substances or compounds that are used to remove dirt, grime, and other unwanted materials from surfaces. They are an essential tool in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in hotels, workplaces, and public spaces. There are a wide variety of cleaning agents available, each with its own set of properties and uses.
In this blog post, we will explore the different types of cleaning agents and their uses. It’s important and many more.
So let’s started!
Different types of Cleaning Agents in Housekeeping and their Uses
Taski Chemicals
In my opinion without Taski chemicals cleaning not possible in the hotel. So the Taski series is the most important cleaning agents in Housekeeping that are used in hotel. I write the complete post on it that is Taski Chemicals – R1 to R9 Cleaning Agents used in Housekeeping
In Taski chemicals there are R1 to R9 cleaning agents, that are used for various purposes, for example R3 used for Mirror and so on. You can read the uses taski chemicals in above link.
Ammonia
Ammonia is a common cleaning agent that is often used for cleaning and disinfecting various surfaces. It is a colorless gas with a pungent smell that is highly soluble in water, making it an effective cleaning agent.
Liquid Ammonia is a solution of ammonia gas in water, held as ammonium hydroxide.
It is a strong alkali used for softening water, cleaning window panes, and emulsifying Grease.
However, it’s important to note that ammonia can be hazardous if not used properly. It can be irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system, and should be used in a well-ventilated area with protective gloves and goggles. It should also never be mixed with bleach, as the combination can produce toxic fumes.
Bath Brick
This is a reddish brown powder, also obtained in brick form.
It is used for scouring and polishing metals such as brass and copper.
In powdered from, it is used for cleaning earthenware.
To use a bath brick, you wet it and then rub it against the surface to be cleaned. The abrasive surface of the bath brick helps to remove stains, dirt, and grime without scratching the surface.
Borax
Chemically sodium borate, this white crystalline powder is used to soften hard water and to remove paint and tar stains.
Also used for
- Laundry detergent booster
- All-purpose cleaner
- Carpet cleaner
- Dishwasher detergent
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrochloric acid
Also known as muriatic acid, is a strong acid commonly used as a cleaning agent.
This is a corrosive and poisonous mineral acid, used diluted for removing stains in bathrooms.
Some uses of Hydrochloric acid in cleaning are
- Concrete and brick cleaning
- Metal cleaning
- Ph adjustment
It’s a dangerous if not used properly, they may have some bad effects. So please used properly or care must taken while using this cleaning agents in Housekeeping.
Jeweller’s Rouge
Jeweller’s Rouge, also known as polishing rouge or red rouge, is a fine abrasive powder used for polishing and cleaning metal surfaces.
Chemically this is ferric tetroxide, a used for polishing silver.
It is a constituent of commercial silver polishes too.
Jewellers Rouge as chemical agent in Housekeeping use for different cleaning as follows
- Jewelry cleaning
- Metal polishing
- Glass cleaning
- Watch cleaning
Lemon
Lemons can be used as a natural and cost-effective cleaning agent in hotels.
Most important use for lemon is used for removing ink stains from wooden surfaces.
Paraffin
Paraffin oils are used for cleaning of bathrooms but owing to its smell is hardly ever used.
Paraffin also used in the
- Machine cleaning
- Leather cleaning for example shoes, bags etc.
Methylated Spirits
This is used for cleaning window panes and mirrors to a shine.
When using methylated spirits as a cleaning agent, it’s important to follow proper safety procedures, such as wearing gloves and eye protection. It’s also important to properly ventilate the area, as methylated spirits can be flammable and produce fumes.
Solvents
Methylated spirit, white spirit, carbon tetrachloride and benzenes.
These are grease solvent and are used for the removal of grease, wax, etc.
The former two are highly inflammable and are used for the spot cleaning to remove resin, ball point mark, iodine.
These can also be used safely on plastic surfaces.
Window Cleansers
They consist of water miscible solvent often “isopropyl alcohol” to which a small quantity of detergent and possibly an alkali are added to improve a polishing effect of Cleanser.
Some also contain a fine abrasive. Water to which some methylated spirit has been added, does the job quite well.
Tetrachloro Ethylene
Used for spot cleaning to remove fats, oils, wax, tar, some paints, resins, rubber.
It is moderately volatile but not inflammable. Must be used on PVC, thermoplastic, Rubber and some other plastic surfaces.
Petrol
This is obtained from petroleum distillation.
It is highly inflammable and is used for dry-cleaning and for removing grease stains.
Pumice
This is a light, porous rock of volcanic origin.
It is used as an abrasive for hard metals and earthenware.
Rottenstone
Rottenstone is a natural abrasive that is commonly used as a cleaning agent and polish. It is a soft, fine-grained powder that is made from the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of algae that lived millions of years ago. Rottenstone is also known as tripoli or polishing stone.
This is a decomposed siliceous limestone and is used for cleaning copper, brass, and Earthenware.
Another uses for this cleaning agents are
- Wood polishing
- Metal polishing
- Glass polishing
- Fine art restoration
Sand
Sand is a natural cleaning agent that is often used in outdoor cleaning applications. This hard compound of silica is used as a hard abrasive on stone floors and hard, coarse wood.
Baking-Soda (Sodium Bi-carbonate)
It emulsifies grease and aids in the cleaning of dirty pans.
Baking soda is a great cleaning solution because it acts as a neutralizer for many substances that cause smells and stains.
Steel Wool
This is steel manufactured into long filaments, in varying grades of fineness.
It is used for scouring hard metals and dirty pans.
Turpentine
This is a constituent of paints.
It is also a diluent for paints and removes tar stains.
Whiting/Precipitated Whiting
Chemically this is calcium carbonate in pure form.
It is used as a mild abrasive on soft metals and in cleaning white-painted articles.
Importance of cleaning agents in Housekeeping
Cleaning agents play a vital role in housekeeping, which is the process of cleaning and maintaining a home, office, or other living space. Here are some of the reasons why cleaning agents are important in housekeeping.
Removes dirt and bacteria
Cleaning agents are designed to remove dirt, grime, and bacteria from surfaces, making them clean and hygienic. Regular use of cleaning agents helps to reduce the spread of germs and prevent illnesses.
Preserves the lifespan of surfaces
Regular cleaning with the appropriate cleaning agents helps to preserve the lifespan of surfaces by preventing damage caused by dirt and other materials. For example, regular use of a wood cleaner helps to protect and preserve wooden surfaces from scratches, discoloration, and warping.
Improves air quality
Cleaning agents help to remove dust, allergens, and other pollutants from surfaces, improving indoor air quality. This is especially important for people with allergies or respiratory problems.
Enhances the appearance of the living space
A clean and well-maintained living space not only feels better to live in but also enhances the overall appearance of the space. Regular cleaning with the appropriate cleaning agents helps to keep surfaces looking their best and gives a positive impression to visitors.
Promotes safety
Regular cleaning with the appropriate cleaning agents helps to prevent slips, trips, and falls by removing debris, spills, and other hazards from surfaces.
These are the some benefits of and importance of the cleaning agents in Housekeeping.
Conclusion
Cleaning agents are essential in housekeeping for maintaining cleanliness, hygiene, and a pleasant environment. At this point the cleaning agents are most important factor for cleaning anywhere they may be in hotel or any public places. Without cleaning agents cleaning not possible.
