30 CLEANING AGENTS

PL. Sridevi Sivakami

1. Introduction

Cleanliness is important for many reasons, which has the impact on guests. The housekeeping staffs have the most direct contact with the guests’ rooms and have important role to ensuring that the guests have a comfortable and pleasant stay in the hotel. Cleaning is primarily the removal of dust and dirt. Dust being composed of loose particles, is removed comparatively easily by the various types of equipments. Dirt however, owing to its adherences to surfaces by means of grease /moisture, requires the use of cleaning agents. The main reasons for cleaning are: To promote health and safety, to prolong the life of furniture, fixture fittings and surfaces & to improve the appearance of the establishments.

2. Objectives

After the study of this lesson, you should be able to:

Ø  Understand the various cleaning agents.

Ø   Demonstrate the sales of using cleaning agents

3.  General principles in selection of cleaning agents

a.       Remove all surface soil and obstructions before cleaning.

b.      Always use the simplest method of cleaning and the mildest cleaning agent

c.       Be aware of possible safety hazards,.

d.      Removal all dust and dirt.

e.       Use mild rather than strong agents as they are less injurious to surfaces.

f.       Purity of samples also important. They are cheap substitutes that might show immediate results but in a long run may damage surfaces as they are likely to contain strong chemicals and abrasives.

g.      Buy  polishes  in  manageable  containers  as  bulk  purchases  could  cause congestion in stores. The containers must have reliable lids, corks, etc. as defective once could result in wastage due to evaporation and drying.

Carry out each cleaning process in the quickest possible time, to the standard, and with due consideration for the convenience of guests.

4.Cleaning agents Cleaning agents in general can defined as natural or synthetic substances used in conjunction with the right equipment that are used to assist the cleaning process to facilitate the removal of dust and dirt .

Cleaning agents are perhaps the most critical aids of housekeeping staff in their job to keep a sparkling house. Basically the cleaning process is carried out toremove dust and dirt . while normal dusting with a cloth or vacuum cleaner removes loose dust, cleaning agents would be required when dust becomes grit and is stubborn to remove. The use cleaning agents as well as the cleaning equipment has become very necessary in housekeeping department. Various types of cleaning agents are used for cleaning the guest rooms, bathroom, toilets and other public areas. Typical cleaning agents include aqueous and semi-aqueous cleaning agents, solvents, acids, alkalis and abrasives used by the housekeeping staff. Some of the popularly used cleaning agents in hotels under the brand names ECOLAB and TASKI

Some of the common agents used are:

4.1. Classification of cleaning agents

4.1.1Water:

Water is probably the most common and widely used agent as it is freely available. It is useful in rising and finishing of cleaning process. Precaution must be taken to change dirty water with4 fresh water because it could leave a film of dirt instead of removing it. Warm water dissolves soap more readily than cold water; hence it must be used to remove dirty soap lather. Water is of two types,

Hard water and Soft water.

Soft water is best for cleaning. Hardness in water is caused by the presence of mineral salts – mostly calcium (ca) and magnesium (mg), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn). The mineral salts react with soap to form an insoluble precipitate known as soap film or scum. The result is that the soap film does not rinse away easily. It tends to remain beyond and produces visible deposits on clothing making it stiff. It attaches to the insides of bath tubs and sinks. Caution must be taken that the water is soft as no detergent is effective with hard water. Moreover, hard water does not wet the surface well as a precondition for good cleaning action.

4.1.2. Solvents: A solvent may be defined as a liquid that dissolve a solid or liquid solute, resulting in a solution. It is the simplest cleaning agent and some forms of dirt will be dissolved by it. Normally unless it is used in conjunction with some other agent like detergent, because water is not an effective cleaning agent. Solvents are substances, which remove dirt by liquefying it and holding it in .Warm water dissolves soap more than cold water; hence it must be used to remove dirty soap lather. Most of the detergents are ineffective with hard water. More water does not wet the surface adequately which is a precondition for good action.

4.1.3. Detergent & soaps: Detergent is a compound, or a mixture of compounds, intended to assist clean term is sometimes used to differentiate between soap and other chemical surf act for cleaning purposes. Detergent are cleaning agents which when used with water can loosen and remove dirt and then hold it in suspension so that not re-deposited on the cleaning surface.

Ø  Detergents have good emulsifying power so that grease and oil are broken up and extent dissolved.

Ø  It also have a good suspending power so that the dirt particles when suspended in the solution.

Ø  Detergents are effective over a wide range of temperatures

Ø   Its harmless to the articles as well as to skin

Ø   With minimum agitation to clean quickly

Detergents and soaps are used for cleaning because pure water can’t remove oily organic soiling. Soap cleans by acting as an emulsifier. Basically, soap allows oil and water to mix so that oily grime can be removed during rising. Detergents are primarily surfactants which are produced from petrochemicals. Surfactants lower the surface tension of water, essentially making it ’wetter’ so that it is less likely to stick to itself and more likely to interact with oil and grease. Detergents are similar to soap,

    but they are less likely to form films (soap scum) and are not as affected by the presence of minerals in water (hard water).

4.1.4. Abrasives: Abrasives are substance used for removing or cleaning dirt from hard surface. The extent to which they will rub or scratch a surface depends on the nature of the abrasives materials and on the size and shape of particles .Abrasives cleaners generally use some kind of grit to boost their cleaning ability, along with detergent, acids, alkalis, and other compounds. Some are in powder form while others are suspensions of abrasives in liquid. The quartz or silica that constitutes the girt will easily scratch or damage softer surfaces such as laminate, fibreglass, stainless, steel, etc.. Precautionary measures have to be taken while cleaning the very hard surface such as porcelain, Abrasives will dull and scratch the surface.

Classification of Abrasives

a.Fine abrasives: includes whiting (filtered chalk), jewels rouge (a pink oxide of iron). Used for shining silver commercially sold as silver polshes.

b. Medium abrasives: includes scouring powders and paste. Scouring powders are made up of fine minerals generally lime stone or calcite mixed with soap or detergent and alkalis to remove grease and little bleach.

c. Hard / Course abrasives: includes sand paper, steel, wool etc. some more examples are glass, sand and emery papers, , nylon web, powdered pumice and fine ash. These are used as finely ground powder, like vim or liquid or cream form.

Abrasive cleanser will often work where others fail. Liquid abrasives cleansers are generally more expensive but are convenient to use.

4.1.5 Liquid cleaning agent

These can be either diluted in little water or used directly with a dry cloth. Common liquid cleaning agent is

• Ammonia is alkali which soften water and emulsifiers grease.
• Methylated sprits are effective against grease stains.
• Paraffin is also grease solvent.
• Turpentine is grease and paint solvent.
• Vinegar is a mild acid (acetic acid) unaffected by hard water and useful in removing light stains in baths.
• Hydrochloric acid is useful in removing stubborn stains in bathroom but care must be taken in its use as it damaging to the skin and destroys fabrics and bathroom fittings.
• Carbon tetrachloride is also excellent grease solvent. Care must be exercised there, too, as the fumes are corrosive and harmful.

4.1.6. Washing Soda

Washing soda is quite outdated due to the advent of domestic detergent like vim, etc. However, it is particularly useful for emulsifying grease on drain pipes, gutters or stone surfaces. In strong concentration, it could be an irritant and injurious to skin, fabrics brushes, wood and paint. Washing soda is useful as a water softener and it is a chlorinated compound.

4.1.7. Soap

Now a day’s soaps have been replaced by excellent synthetic soap less detergents are unaffected by hard water. In this case rinsing is not important as these suspend dirt and girt most effectively without leaving a smear. Powders and flakes are useful in getting instant lather but are expensive. Care should be taken that they are thoroughly dissolved. Being expensive, one should know exactly how much powder or flakes is dissolved to get an optimum concentrate best result and also how long the resultant solution is effective. Good bar soaps are still most economical but much more strenuous to us modern methods. They should be stored on open shelves in a dry store.

4.1.7. Soda – bars, powders, flakes

Today soap have been replaced by excellent synthetic soap less detergents which are unaffected by hard water. In this case rinsing is not important as these products suspend dirt and grit most effectively without leaving a smear. However, some housekeepers may not have access to these detergents and may have to rely on soaps.

Powders and flakes are useful in getting instant lather but are expensive. When used, care should be taken that they are thoroughly dissolved. Being expensive, one should know exactly how much powder or flakes should be dissolved to get an optimum benefit as also how long the resultant solution would be effective. Good bar soaps are still most economical but much more strenuous than modern methodologies. They should be stored on open shelves in a dry store.

4.1.8. Window cleanser

This consists of water miscible solvent to which a small quantity of surfactant possible an alkali are added-to improve the polish effect of the cleanser. Sometimes it also contain fine abrasive. The cleanser is applied with a cleaning rag and rubs with a clean a soft cloth. Cleanser can also be applied by spraying and the surface clean.

4.1.9. Acids and alkalies

Acids dissolve metals and used for the removal of metal stains such is water stains in baths, hard water deposits round taps and in WC pans. Vinegar and lemon (cut or juice ) are used for the removal of tarnish from copper and brass and mild water stains on baths. More resistant water stains may be removed with stronger acids such as oxalic acid or hydrochloric acid. Precautionary measures and care have to taken while handling these type of chemicals .Alkali: Strong alkaline cleaning agents based on caustic soda in flakes or in liquid form are available for the cleaning, of blocked drains, and other large industrial equipments. Extreme care is to be taken in their use as they are very strong and are highly corrosive. Caustic soda, sodium hydroxide and ammonia are alkali and are used as grease emulsifiers and stain removal agents.

4.1.10. Absorbents

These perform the cleaning action by absorbing the stain or grease. Some of the e.g. starch, french chalk powders and besan or gram flour. Their constituents vary and many are of vegetable origin.

Paraffin in wax like or liquid hydrocarbon mixture used as solvent. It is also for the cleaning of baths. Organic solvents methylated spirit, white spirit (turpentine substitute) and carbon tetrachloride are solvents and are used for the removal of grease and wax from different surfaces. Dry cleansers are suitable for use on wallpapers.

4.1.12. Polishers

These polishes do not necessarily clean but produce a shine by providing a surface from which light is reflected evenly. They do this by smoothing unevenness on the surface of the articles. Polishes fall into three based categories based, oil based and water based. Spirit based is used primarily for mirrors, panes, etc. oil based is used on wood, linoleum and synthetic floorings, leather, the water based is used on sealed floors, rubber and thermoplastic floors.Polishes may be used only after dirt and dust has been removed from surface should be used in small quantities. Ensure that the correct type of polish is used correct method of polishing. Polishes come in three forms liquid, paste cream.

5. Disinfectants, antiseptics & deodorants

Disinfectant, antiseptics and deodorant are not strictly cleaning agents but are used during cleaning operations. The use of disinfectants and antiseptic should controlled carefully as many have strong smells and their use often suggest illness drains.

5.1. Disinfectant

Disinfectant kill bacteria, antiseptic prevent bacteria growth and deodorants mask unpleasant smell by combining chemically with the particles producing the offensive smell. These are not strictly cleaning agents but are often used during cleaning operations. The use of disinfectants and antiseptic should be controlled carefully as many have strong smells and their use often suggest illness or bad drains. 5.2Antiseptic: Prevent bacteria growth and are frequently diluted disinfectants.

5.3 Deodorants: Mask unpleasant smells either by combining chemical with the particles forming the smell or by their smell being predominant and may to obtain as aerosol sprays.

6.  Bleaches are used as whitening agents and also has germicide properties.

7.  Procedures to Select the cleaning agents

a. Mild cleaning agents are generally preferred for cleaning as they are less injurious.

b. Strong chemicals and abrasive may be easy to clean and the surface would look better, but on the long run it may damage the surface.

c. Cleaning agents have to be purchased in manageable containers as bulk purchases could cause congestion in stores. The containers must have reliable lids, corks as defectives ones could result in wastage due to evaporation.

d.Strong smelling agents like paraffin must be avoided due to the offensive smells they lend to the environment.

e.  Pollutant free/less polluting cleaning agents should be used to protect not only the hotel staff and guests but also people at large.

8.  Eco Friendly Cleaning

Use lower water temperatures – We often think hot water provides a thorough cleansing, but it isn’t always necessary – and a lot of energy goes into heating water.. When drawing water from the tap for cleaning, warm water is often just as effective as hot water.

a.       Conserve water

b.      Use fresh air and sunlight by cleaning during the day

c.       Transform old clothes and towels into reusable cleaning rags

d.      Shine your surfaces with old newspapers

e.       Lemons are great for natural cleaning

f.       Clean your indoor air by keeping houseplants

1. Use cleaning products designed with the environment in mind
2. Buy cleaning products in large quantities

9. Conclusion: Cleaning agent is very important in cleaning operations, the various types of cleaning agents to name a few water, solvents, abrasives, acid, alkalise, detergents, soaps, polishes, bleaches. The selection& storage on cleaning agents is very important task for a manager when it is purchased in bulk quantity. Use of eco friendly cleaning agents which is the need of the hour in many hotels because they practices on ecotel concept.

Web Link

• https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/books/inc-guide…western…/types-records- be-kept
• www.hospitality-school.com/housekeeping-control-desk
• ttps://www.tutorialspoint.com › … › Coordination and Work Records
• www.bngkolkata.com/web/files-and-register/
• epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/epgpdata/uploads/epgp_content/…/15245662076.11Q1.pdf
• v2020eresource.org/content/files/housekeeping_management