Cleaning concerns practically all of us. There is probably no one in the world who hasn't cleaned their house from time to time. We use various types of cleaning products for cleaning. However, the products differ in composition, which directly translates into the effect of our work. So how can you distinguish between professional and household chemicals and how to choose the right agents to clean a dirty surface?
Household chemicals in everyday cleaning at home and public facilities
Many of us think we know everything about cleaning. It’s not a problem to buy a generally available chemical and clean it up. There is nothing wrong with keeping our home clean. However, it is difficult to imagine the use of insufficiently effective cleaning products in places such as hospitals, schools, restaurants, hotels, warehouses, public toilets, workshops or shopping centers. These are places where tens, hundreds, and even thousands of people pass by every day. The use of household chemicals that work well at home is inappropriate for the dirt we have to deal with there, the surface area covered by such objects and the time we would have to devote to cleaning such large spaces with an ineffective preparation.
Professional cleaning chemicals – is it safe?
Professional cleaning chemicals are products produced mainly for professional cleaning companies. Therefore, they have a completely different composition and concentration, and their producers often use advanced technology. Thanks to this, the products are characterized by high effectiveness and excellent economics of use. One liter of concentrate allows you to prepare several dozen liters of cleaning solution, which translates into large savings in the cleaning industry. The use of professional chemicals may require appropriate training and knowledge. However, employees of cleaning companies know the basic rules for using this type of preparations. However, because it is a professional chemical, the manufacturer always prepares a detailed use card, specifying the composition of the product and the type of active substance. This allows for safe and effective cleaning of public buildings.
We select professional cleaning products for the cleaned surfaces
Before we move from words to deeds and start cleaning, let’s carefully consider what surface we are dealing with. In this case, it is a good idea to determine its size and the types of surfaces to be cleaned. Another aspect concerns the place where we are going to clean. The easiest thing to clean is an apartment or house, but commercial premises such as shops are a bit more difficult to clean. However, hospitals, HoReCa establishments, schools and workshops will consume the most energy during cleaning. These are places visited by crowds of people, which generates a lot of dirt in a short time, and some of it may prove to be extremely difficult to remove. Once we have the appropriate knowledge, we can proceed to selecting the appropriate products.
Household chemicals and professional cleaning products
The cleaning chemicals industry is very extensive. Many manufacturers offer various agents for various types of dirt. When making one of the most popular divisions, it can be concluded that the most common categories include household chemicals and professional cleaning products. Although products from both categories are intended for the same purpose, i.e. cleaning, in practice they differ significantly.
The cleaning products we use at home are classified as household chemicals. These preparations are strong enough to deal with the dirt we encounter every day at home. We don’t need very strong cleaning products in our homes because there are only a limited number of people staying there. Intensive cleaning or frequent disinfection is unnecessary. However, it is also worth purchasing professional cleaning products . They will make it easier to remove difficult dirt and help maintain cleanliness for longer.
Public places and industrial halls, due to the degree and types of dirt occurring there, and the size of these facilities, require stronger and faster-acting preparations, i.e. professional chemicals. In some places, they are mandatory because, above all, they translate into greater comfort and smoother work. Every employer should take care of the place where employees stay, because this can make their work more effective. Unfortunately, not everyone can clearly state whether they need household chemicals or professional cleaning products. To choose one of these categories, it is good to familiarize yourself with their characteristics and differences.
Concentration – what is used by the manufacturer of professional chemicals and what by the manufacturer of household chemicals?
There are many differences between professional and household chemicals. The first basic difference is concentration. Professional cleaning products are strong concentrates that require appropriate dilution. Thanks to the high concentration of the product, when preparing the working solution, we will use much less preparation than in the case of household chemicals, which is very economical. Strong concentrates allow you to remove even old, troublesome dirt. The concentrate can be diluted to varying degrees, depending on the type and intensity of dirt. For everyday cleaning and delicate dirt, a dilution of 1:100 is sufficient, while for very difficult dirt and thorough cleaning, we will use a concentrated product or a dilution of 1:10 or 1:20.
Household chemicals do not allow us to adjust the product dilution to our needs because the product concentration is too low. When selecting the concentration of professional chemicals, do not forget about the manufacturer’s recommendations on the packaging. The preparation should always be used as intended and in an appropriate manner. Using too high a concentration may damage the surface being cleaned. However, if we use too low a concentration, we may not clean the surface and we will not achieve a satisfactory effect. The manufacturer of professional chemicals always provides the recommended proportions on the label. Preparing the cleaning solution in accordance with these recommendations will allow optimal use of the product and obtain satisfactory results.
Active substance, i.e. the chemistry of cleaning products
The second very important difference that must be pointed out concerns the active substance. Professional chemical products and household chemicals almost always differ in the type of active substance used. The one found in professional products can be even several times faster in removing dirt than ingredients used in household chemicals. This means that professional products will allow us to shorten the time we have to spend cleaning large facilities. In many companies and industrial enterprises, time plays a key role. Therefore, the cleaning process of, for example, a production hall should take as little time as possible and at the same time give good results. Manufacturers of professional chemicals, by creating newer and newer products, strive to shorten the duration of action of the preparations as much as possible. They are aware that in such places cleaning is a necessary process that is carried out periodically. In order to significantly shorten the time that the company has to spend on cleaning its premises, they constantly strive to create new chemical compositions of their products.
Additional properties of professional chemicals – what else is different about professional household chemicals?
In addition to active substances, professional chemical products also contain other substances. Such preparations not only clean, but also have additional properties, such as protective, antistatic and disinfecting. One of such substances are polymers that fill micro-scratches on the cleaned surface and protect it against the penetration of dirt into its interior. The surface then becomes smoother, has a delicate shine, deepens the color and the subsequent washing process is easier. Another solution is to use a preparation with silicon nanoparticles, which modify the cleaned surface, protecting it against re-deposition of dirt and giving the cleaned surface a delicate shine.
Specialization in professional products
Professional products, unlike household chemicals, are intended for precisely defined tasks. Professional agents offer alkaline preparations for greasy dirt, and acidic preparations for removing scale, soap scum and rust. These are products with extreme pH values - which makes them very effective and quickly remove dirt. They work in seconds, not minutes. The products we use at home – for the sake of user safety – cannot have such an extreme reaction. They work slower, are more delicate, but are strong enough to deal with dirt found at home.
Sometimes, however, professional chemicals can also be useful at home. For example, when we want to wash an oily garage floor or terrace tiles. However, professional preparations should be used with caution. For private use, it may be problematic that professional chemical products are sold in large packages and when using them at home, we will not use the entire package before the expiry date. For a cleaning company, large packaging is an advantage, because this way of packaging the product has a significant impact on its final lower price. Therefore , the manufacturer of professional chemicals, the Clinex brand, also offers preparations prepared for direct use. This is a professional chemical that will work well both in cleaning companies and for home use.
There are many differences between household and professional chemicals. The degree of concentration, the active substance used, and the size of the packaging vary. All this means that household chemicals products are perfect for home use, and professional chemicals are perfect for use in larger facilities. For professional cleaning, it is profitable to use concentrated professional cleaning products, which makes no sense at all in home conditions.
Conclusions
- The cleaning chemicals industry can be divided into professional and household chemicals.
- Before you start cleaning, you should determine the type and size of the surface and then choose the appropriate products.
- Products from the household chemicals category are dedicated to households, and professional chemicals to industrial enterprises, hospitals, restaurants, hotels and other places of this type.
- Household chemicals differ mainly from professional chemicals in terms of concentration and active substance.
- Products belonging to the professional chemicals category have many additional properties.
- Professional cleaning products are characterized by very fast action, which translates into saving time and energy.
- The Clinex brand’s offer includes a whole range of products intended for households, as well as for facilities requiring professional products.
