Cleaning usually isn’t something everyone is looking forward to. The maintaining of the clean and beautiful household takes up precious time and is quite a dull and repetitive process. However, there is something we can do to make it less boring, tiring and time-consuming. Choosing the best and most effective product can minimize the time spent scrubbing and still leave behind a sparkly clean surface.
The fact is that no single product can have the same efficiency on all surfaces. That is why a huge variety of cleaning products can be found in stores.
There are some products made for more general use, on more than one surface, while others are designed specifically for a single surface – glass, kitchen or bathroom tiles, kitchen counters, wood, floors, and other. When in doubt, there are always house cleaning services, such as SwiftClean, that can help and make sure your household is impeccable without damaging it.
All-purpose cleaners, such as abrasive ones, are used for removing bigger and more persistent stains. The ingredients used for abrasive cleaners are usually metal particles, copper or nylon imbedded in a matrix of plastic. However, even though this type of product is very effective, it’s supposed to be handled with care. They can, after extensive use, remove the glaze or the coating of certain surfaces. The degree of abrasiveness differs between products, so it would be smart to always check the instructions before using it.
Different kind of all-surface cleaners are the ones used for disinfection. Some of the active substances in these are quaternary ammonium compounds or sodium hypochlorite.
Some all-purpose cleaners come in powder form, and can usually be found in most households. Particles of calcite, feldspar, quartz, and silica are the ones that allow them to be as efficient as they are.
The liquid form of these products is made by mixing solid abrasive particles with a certain liquid matrix.
When it comes to glass cleaning products, what is important is that they leave no trace of cleaning, and remove all of the soil. Various surfactants and solvents are mixed with water and are very effective in loosening soil and dissolving oil. They are available in aerosol containers, and sometimes in bottles with trigger sprays which helps in applying the product evenly across the surface.
Special kind of problem to bear in mind when talking about metal surfaces, is tarnished, or the oxidation of the metal. Metal cleaning products come as pastes, thick or clear liquids that may contain abrasive. They also contain different kinds of acids – sulphuric, citric or oxalic, since the metal is best cleaned with an acidic medium.
Cleaners designed for tubs, tiles, and sinks are made not only for removing the soil and dirt on kitchen or bathroom surfaces, but also for dealing with hard water deposits, rust, and any discolorations caused by mold growth. They are usually liquids and come as aerosols or in bottles with trigger sprays. Specific solvents are normally added in order to dissolve calcium deposits and soap scum. These cleaners can also contain oxidants, antimicrobial agents and alkaline ingredients.
Floor care products commonly come in the form of liquid or paste. Different types of floors – stone, wood, vinyl, asphalt, require differently formulated products. The goal is to remove any soil and dirt and leave the surface polished and with a protective coat.
Many can contain particles of wax dissolved in water that will leave a shiny, clear protective layer.
Furniture cleaners and polishes come as aerosols and are supposed to remove all the dirt, as well as leave a protective layer on wood. What is responsible for the shine of the wood, are silicone fluids and microcrystalline wax.
Many today simply contact some of the home cleaning companies like SwiftClean, but in case you’re doing it yourself, it’s good to bear in mind that using the right product for the right surface will not only minimize the time spent cleaning, but will also protect the surfaces.