4.1 Introduction
In almost any job, cleaners work with at least one type of chemical.
Some of these chemicals are harsh and dangerous whilst others are mild and household friendly. It is therefore essential that cleaners are competent in the use and storage of all chemicals.
In order to protect yourself, your staff, your clients and the environment, it is essential for cleaners to familiarise themselves with all aspect of the chemicals they use.
You need to know about the compounds themselves, how to safely apply the chemicals, which surfaces to use them on and how to store them safely and securely.
As a cleaner, all of these things are your responsibility. Neglecting your responsibility can have disastrous results for you, your business and everyone around you. It could even cause people to get seriously hurt.
To make sure that you are covered in terms of safety measures and legal requirements, study this module to learn everything you need to know about using cleaning products.
You also need to be aware of the policies surrounding all those elements, for both safety and legal purposes, in order to ensure you are not held liable for any injuries or damage.
4.2 The Chemicals You Will Use as a Cleaner
Cleaners use a variety of liquids, gases, and powdered agents.
Some of these are highly corrosive while others may be less so, depending on their pH value. The pH scale is used to characterise a substance as an acid, alkaline or as neutral.
The pH scale runs from 0 to the number 14. Any substance that has a low pH number is acidic. The lower the number, the more acidic the substance. Any substance with a high pH number is considered to be alkaline. The higher the number, the more alkaline the substance.
Every whole number on the scale represents a number to the factor ten. If you find a cleaner with a pH of 3, it is ten times more acidic than a cleaner with a pH balance of 4 and one hundred times more acidic than a cleaner with a pH balance of 5.
The closer you get to the centre of the scale (around 7), the closer to neutral the substance is. Distilled water falls at a pH balance of 7 and is neutral. However, seawater (because of the salt) is actually an 8. Your gut is around a pH of 9.
Corrosiveness depends on where the substance falls on the scale. When the substance reaches the ends of the scale, around 0 or 14.7, it is at its most corrosive. When it comes to corrosiveness, it does not matter whether the substance is acidic or alkaline, both are equally dangerous if misused.
Here is a little more information about the three main types of cleaning agents:
Acids
Acid-based cleaners are corrosive cleaners designed to remove deposits of an inorganic nature. Acid cleaners usually have at least one active ingredient, usually a mineral acid or chelant. In some cases, corrosion inhibitors or surfactants will be added to the acid to balance it out.
Another popular cleaning product featuring acid is hydrochloric acid. This acid is often used on concrete.
In some cases, cleaners will use vinegar-based cleaners to clean home surfaces or remove calcium deposits.
Although it is more often used by plumbers, sulphuric acid can be used to clean drains. Sulphuric acid cleaners dissolve grease and food. They can also dissolve papers such as toilet tissue.
Here is the pH balance of some most common acidic cleaning products:
- Vinegar: 3
- Lemon juice: 3
- Toilet bowl cleaner: 1-3
Thus, vinegar is somewhat close to neutral while some toilet bowl cleaners are most dangerous.
Alkaline
Alkaline agents can also be highly corrosive and highly effective. An alkaline cleaner will not have an acid base. Instead, it will have a potassium hydroxide base or a sodium hydroxide base. To make these chemicals slightly safer or more effective, manufacturers will often add a dispersant or chelant to the base.
Bleach-based products and chlorine-based products are the two most popular alkaline cleaning products. These products are particularly useful for cleaning toilets and surfaces. They are also good for removing rust and dirt. Some of these cleaners can also be used to remove grease or other oily fats as well as protein-based substances.
Here is the pH balance of some of the most common alkaline cleaning products:
- Chlorine-based bleach: 11-13
- Ammonia products: 11-12
- Oven cleaners: 11-13
- Tub or tile cleaners: 11-13
- Baking soda: 8-9
- Mild dish soap: 7-8
Some of the most alkaline cleaning products can be very corrosive and dangerous. As these cleaners reach a scale of 13 you need to take more precautions when using them. Mild dish soaps are at or near the centre of the pH scale. This means they are really safe, which is why they are so popular in households.
Neutral
Not all products are as corrosive as acidic and alkaline products. Neutral products will have a pH balance that ranges between 6 and 8. Most of the neutral products available on the market are eco-friendly or water based. They work to remove some types of dirt but rarely have any ability to battle bacteria.
However, there are new eco-friendly products that focus on providing the safety associated with neutral products, but with the efficacy of more corrosive products. Locating these products usually requires a visit to a specialist stockist or eco-friendly store.
Just because a product claims to be “green", does not mean it is safe. It only means that it is safer than more corrosive products. Ensure sure you follow all safety instructions even if the product is eco-friendly or green.
Solvent-Based Degreasers
Degreasers are popular cleaning products, both in home and industrial settings, though their strength will vary depending on the use.
Degreasers are often solvent-based but some may just contain solvents and instead have surfactants as an active ingredient. The solvents are important because they are the agent that dissolves grease.
Solvent-based degreasers sometimes benefit from having an alkaline agent added to them. This promotes a more effective clean and helps remove all the grease.
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Class Sessions
1- Finding Your Career: A Job in the Cleaning Corps
2- The Different Types of Cleaning Jobs
3- Cleaning Equipment
4- Chemical Safety and Competence
5- About The Job
6- Meeting Clients and Your Behaviour in Clients' Homes/Workplaces
7- Keyholding and Alarm Codes for Cleaners
8- House Cleaning
9- Cleaning Products & Clothing
10- Food Kitchen Cleaning
11- Commercial Kitchen Cleaning
12- Bathrooms & Toilets Cleaning
13- Hospital/Medical Practice Cleaning
14- Office Cleaning