Maintaining a clean environment is important for any business space, be it retail lots, manufacturing plants, shopping malls, educational institutions, or offices. While a quick wipe with soapy water might seem sufficient, there's science behind achieving optimal cleaning results. So, what makes a cleaning product or method truly effective?
There are actually four key elements that need to be considered in any cleaning operation, including contact time, chemical action, mechanical action, andtemperature.1,2 These elements are interdependent and influence the overall cleaning results.2 Understanding how these elements work will help you implement more effective cleaning practices in your company.
1. Contact Time
Cleaning solutions need time to dissolve or break down dirt or contaminants. This is also known as dwell time, and the amount of time will vary depending on the cleaning agent and the type of dirt or contaminant. Even the most powerful solvent requires time to work!
Whether the parts or surface are soaked or sprayed, the longer the part or surface is in contact with the cleaning solution, the more time the solution has to dissolve soils, thus, the cleaner the parts or surfaces will be. Here are ways to ensure adequate contact time:
● Read the product label: Rushing the process can compromise the cleaning products’ effectiveness, and long contact times may damage delicate surfaces. Therefore, always check the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.
● Right duration: Once applied, the cleaning solution should sit undisturbed for the recommended duration before scrubbing or rinsing.
● Type of finishing: Contact time varies, ranging from minutes to 24 hours, depending on the product and surface type. Some rare condition or stains may require extended contact time of up to 48 hours to be effective.
2. Chemical Action
Cleaning isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. The type of cleaning agent, whether it's a disinfectant or a detergent, breaks down dirt differently. Let’s look at the chemical properties that are often found in cleaning solutions:
● Acidic solution: Products with an acidic level are effective in removing mineral build-up, rust, soap scum and other grime. They're commonly found in bathroom cleaners.
● Neutral solution: These work best on light soils, as they’re easy to rinse and don't leave behind residues.
● Alkaline solution: The most common types are ammonia and sodium hydroxide, which can remove grease, grime, and gunk, in a few minutes. For example, baking soda is mildly alkaline and works well to manage stains and bad odours.
● Solvent/ alcohol-based solution: These dissolve materials like oils, resins, and adhesives. They’re often found in disinfectants and window cleaners, as they evaporate quickly and have germ-killing properties. As chemicals can be hazardous, it’s important to adhere to each cleaning agent’s safety instructions, and keep them in a safe, cool, and dry place.
3. Mechanical Action
This refers to the act of cleaning itself, such as wiping, scrubbing, extracting, brushing, or mopping. But these actions are just a part of it. Here are three things that you need to do to ensure that the mechanical action work effectively:
● The right tool: Different surfaces require different tools. Soft cloths are often used on delicate surfaces, while rough sponges can work better on tough dirt on more hardy surfaces. For those hard-to-reach corners, brushes would come in handy.
● The right pressure: Scrubbing too hard can damage or discolour surfaces, especially polished wood, delicate carpets, and painted walls. On the other hand, a light touch might be ineffective. The key is to find the right balance based on the surface material and how dirty the surface is.
● The right technique: Circular motions are generally more effective than back-and-forth strokes at removing dirt. For larger areas, you can work in sections to ensure a thorough clean.
4. Temperature
Temperature will also determine the effectiveness of your cleaning products. Generally, the higher the temperature, the more effective the cleaning chemicals will be in breaking down dirt or contaminants. Here are three main temperatures to take note of:
● Hot water: It increases the solubility of cleaning agents, making them work better at breaking down greasy surfaces. However, with certain materials, a solution that’s too hot could tarnish a part or surface.
● Warm water: This works well for general cleaning.
● Cold water: Some cleaning solutions might lose their effectiveness at high temperatures. For example, bleach can become less effective when used with hot water.
Integrating the Four Elements of Cleaning
At Maclean, we focus on making all these elements work together. For example, in our carpet extraction cleaning, we ensure that there’s sufficient contact time with cleaning solutions, and we use appropriate mechanical action to dislodge dirt and stains, and maintain optimal temperatures for effective chemical reactions.
Another example is our cleanroom dust control service. We ensure compliance with specific cleanliness standards by tailoring contact time and chemical action, using precise mechanical actions to eliminate contaminants, and controlling temperature to maintain a sterile environment.
Carrying out effective cleaning is an important step to protecting the health of your employees, visitors, and customers. A good way to do this is by following the four elements of cleaning outlined above. By ensuring that you have the right products, appropriate application methods, people, and communication in place, you can create a cleaning and disinfection process that is both successful and efficient.
References:
1. Herrera-Márquez O., Serrano-Haro M., Vicaria JoséM, Jurado Encarnació, Fraatz-Leál AR., Zhang ZJ, Fryer PJ., Avila-Sierra A. (2020, March 19). Cleaning maps: A multi length-scale strategy to approach the cleaning of complex food deposits. Journal of Cleaner Production, 261.
2. Von Rybinski, W. (2007). Physical aspects of cleaning processes. Handbook for cleaning/decontamination of surfaces, 1, 1-55.