Chemistry of Cleaning

What can you gain from naturally cleaning? Natural cleaning chemistry does not have the harmful chemistry that are found in commercial cleaners, which may cause environmental and health concerns (eye, skin, or respiratory irritation, or more serious issues).

Ensuring Safety

• Family
• Friends
• Pets
• Environment

Expectations

• Fresh/Clean Home & Office
• Personal Satisfaction

Reduce/Remove the following “Dirt”:

• Dirt/Dust
• Microorganisms

Understand the Nature of “Dirt”:

• Visble (Dirt/Dust)
• Invisible (microorganisms)

Inhibitors

• Wash your hands w/ soap & water
• An effective natural cleaning regiment

Step 1. Pre-Rinse w/ Water

Step 2. Wash-Remove “Dirt”

• Concentration
  • Use the correct dilution of Cleaning Chemistry
  • Undiluted chemistry does clean better, it will only waste your money
  • You can purchase pre-diluted cleaning chemistry, which is used as is

ALWAYS read Manufacturers guidelines

• Temperature
  • In food manufacturing they require internal cleaning temperatures around 145-160°F
  • These Temperatures cannot be used safely externally, that is why it is important to understand the “Dirt” and use an effective detergent
• Time
  • Cleaning takes time; which not all of us have, I recommend A Natural Cleaning Co. However for those of us that like to clean and want to take the time, have a plan of action. See the slide “Understanding the “Dirt”
• Scrubbing

Step 3. Rinse/Inspect

Step 4. Sanitize

• Kill Microorganisms

A Natural Cleaning Company performs a final inspection after the service is complete.

Client Satisfaction

It is important that each client is satisfied with the cleanliness of their home. If there are areas of concern, please contact A Natural Cleaning Company and we will correct the concern with no cost to the client.

5 Factors to the Cleaning Process

1. Understand the “Dirt” to reduce/remove
2. Role of Water and Natural Cleaning Chemistry
3. Surface Being Cleaned – Color Coding
   1. Food or Non-food contact
4. Method Of Application
5. Areas of Concern

What do I see and what do I not see?

Understanding the type of dirt or organism that needs to be reduced/removed will help you effectively clean your home and office

Types “Dirt”:

• Dirt/Dust
• Microorganisms
  • Bacteria
  • Fungi
  • Viruses

Understand the Nature of “Dirt”:

• Visible (Dirt/Dust)
  • Solution: Choose an effective natural Cleaner
    • Castile Soap (liquid Soap)
    • Baking Soda
    • Borax
• Invisible (microorganisms)
  • Solution: Choose an effective natural Sanitizer
    • Weak Sanitizers
      • Citrus Juice
      • Vinegar
    • Strong Sanitizers
      • Isopropyl Alcohol combined w/ Hydrogen Peroxide
      • Tea Tree oil (A.K.A. Melaleuca)

Inhibitor of “Dirt”

• Washing your hands w/ Soap & Water for 20 seconds
  • Hands should be washed:
    • Before starting cooking
    • After using the restroom
    • Anytime hands become soiled and / or contaminated
• An Effective Natural Cleaning Regiment
  • Follow the “Steps for Effective Cleaning.”
    1. Pre-Rinse with Water to loosen the “Dirt.”
    2. Apply Soap and Scrub
    3. Rinse the Soap
    4. Apple the Sanitizer to remove the Invisible “Dirt”

The picture below shows the importance of adding chemistry (surfactants) to water. Water alone creates individual drops which do not penetrate the cracks/crevasses and it does not encompass the “Dirt.” When surfactants are added; it binds with the water to penetrate and encompass the “Dirt”, for a more effective cleaning

Water

• Water makes up 99% of most cleaning agents. Water is known as the “universal solvent,” for the following reasons:
  • Assists in the distribution of natural cleaning chemistry to the surface being cleaned
  • Transfers heat to the surface being cleaned and helps increase the activity of the cleaning chemistry and solubilize of the “Dirt.”

Detergent/General Cleansers/Degreasers

• Chemistry: Castile Soap, Baking Soda, Borax, Salt, Olive Oil
  • Uses: Remove/eliminate Visible “Dirt”, Mildew, Mold and Odor. This is the first step to getting your house clean.
  • Area’s to use: Bathrooms, Kitchen and food contact surfaces

Acids

• Chemistry: Citrus Juice (Lemon, Lime & Grapefruit), Vinegar
  • Uses: Dissolving film/scale, rust, clean garbage disposal, coffee maker, microwave, toilet bowl cleaner, fabric softener and grout cleaner
    • Treat impurities in the water –tie up calcium, magnesium and other minerals

Disinfectants/Sanitizers

• Chemistry: Isopropyl Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide and Tea Tree Oil
  • Kills or irreversibly inactivates bacteria, fungi and viruses, reduce allergic skin reactions
  • Mold and mildew control, Tile and grout scrub, Odor eliminator and Laundry bleach

Color Coding reduces the opportunity of cross contamination between areas (Bathroom, Kitchen, Living/Sleeping areas)

• Red
  • Restrooms
• Blue
  • Kitchen, Eating Area’s and Break rooms
• White
  • Floors, Baseboards
• Yellow
  • Ceilings, Walls, Windows, Sills, Doors, Door Frames and Flat surfaces (not in the kitchen or bathroom).
• Black
  • Receptacle(Trash Can) Cleaning Only!

Depending on the Type of “Dirt” and Depth of the “Dirt” imbedded in the surface, there are multiple ways to apply cleaning chemistry.

• Soft Scrub
  • When the “dirt” has been sitting for some time and has film or scaling a deeper cleaning may be necessary. Soft Scrub solutions along with a scrub brush will help in the tiny crevasses and release the attached “Dirt”
    • Example Use: Bathroom Showers and Stall Doors
• Spray
  • Spray Chemistry is used to sanitize and remove the invisible “Dirt”. After you clean the surface you need to sanitize the surface.
    • Example of Use: Windows, Mirrors, Kitchen, Bathroom, Living Surfaces
• Liquid Soap
  • Liquid Soap is used as the first application in cleaning. The liquid soap with remove the first layer of dirt in order to leave the surface ready to remove the invisible “Dirt.” Liquid Soap is applied similar to soft scrub, and needs to be scrubbed into the surface being cleaned.
• Powder
  • Powder Chemistry is used for scouring on tough surfaces. Powder is not as effective alone when cleaning surfaces. Combine the powder with other compatible cleaning chemistry to ensure effective cleaning.
    • Example Of Use: Mold or Mildew, Baking Soda, Lemon Juice and Vinegar Scrub
• Damp Cloth
  • Damp Cloth is used for polishing and wipe down surfaces to give a streak free shine

In each house and home there are areas that are more important to keep clean than others. Whatever areas are important to your family focus on those areas first.

Have a Plan of Action

Suggested Plan:

• Safety Gear
  • Gloves
  • Safety Glasses
• Natural Cleaning Chemistry
• Process flow – Streamline the Cleaning Process
  • Clean Top to Bottom
  • Back to Front
    • Bathrooms
    • Kitchen
    • Sleeping Area
    • Living Area
• Tools/Equipment
  • Color Coded
    • Mop/Buckets
    • Microfiber Towels
    • Scrub Pads
  • Steam Machine
  • Vacuum w/ HEPA Filter
  • Dusting tool