ez Clean Glossary

The wearing away or cleaning by friction. Abrasion can also relate to the wearing away of a floor finish film by friction.

A compound that ionizes in water to produce hydrogen ions. It readily donates protons to other substances and, when dissolved in water, creates solutions that conduct electricity, taste sour and turns litmus paper red. Inorganic Acids (sometimes called mineral Acids) include sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric and phosphoric. Organic Acids include acetic, oxalic, hydroxyacetic and citric.

The ingredients in a product that are specifically designed to achieve the product performance objectives.

One characteristic of soils or films which causes soils and oils to stick or bond to surfaces making them difficult to remove.

Organic compounds that contain one or more hydroxyl groups (-OH functional groups) in each molecule. Alcohols used in cleaners include ethyl, methyl, propyl and butyl.

These are sometimes referred to as paraffins. They are also referred to as straight chain or open chain solvents. Kerosene, Odorless Mineral Spirits and Mineral Seal Oil are examples of aliphatic solvents.

Describes a solution formed when a base dissolves in water to form a solution which contains more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions. Alkaline solutions have a pH of more than 7, turn red litmus paper blue, and feel soapy because they react with the skin. Alkalinity is exhibited in solution by alkalies such as sodium or potassium hydroxide or alkaline salts such as sodium carbonate. A substance used in some wax strippers, degreasers and cleaners to assist in soil and finish removal.

An alkaline gas composed of Nitrogen and hydrogen. Aqueous solutions of with 5-10% ammonia are sold as household ammonia.

A surfactant that, in a water solution, may be either anionic or Cationic, depending upon the pH.

A product that has had all of the water removed.

An ion with a negative charge, formed when an atom gains electrons in a reaction. The atom now has more electrons than protons.

Negatively charged part of a molecule. Anionic surfactants are widely used in high-sudsing detergents.

An ingredient used in detergents to help prevent soil from redepositing on surfaces or fabrics. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is the most widely used.

Solvents made of compounds that contain an unsaturated ring of carbon atoms, typified by benzene structures. Xylene and toluene are aromatic solvents sometimes referred to as Ring Hydrocarbons

A chemical agent capable of killing organisms responsible for microbiological degradation. Examples of Biocides are organotins, brominated salicylanilides, mercaptans, quaternary ammonium compounds, mercury compounds, and compounds of copper and arsenic.

The ability of a substance to be broken down into simpler, smaller parts by a biological process. Many plastics are not biodegradable.

In chemistry, any substance in a fluid which tends to resist a sudden change in pH when acid or alkali is added. Buffering is provided by complex phosphate builders, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate and sodium citrate. Usually a solution of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid.

A material that upgrades or protects the cleaning efficiency of a surfactant. Builders inactivate water hardness, supply alkalinity to assist cleaning, provide buffering to maintain alkalinity, prevent redeposition of soil and emulsification of oily and greasy soils.

A heavy deposit of floor finish, wax, dirt and grime. It is caused by adding layer after layer of floor finish over dirt without deep scrubbing the old layers away first. It is frequently found along baseboards and corners.

An inorganic compound occurring naturally as chalk and limestone. Its very slight solubility in water is a cause of water hardness.

An element or compound that accelerates the rate of a chemical reaction but is neither changed nor consumed by it.

An ion with a positive charge, formed when an atom loses electrons in a reaction. The atom now has more protons than electrons.

A surfactant with a positively charged ionic group. The most common Cationic surfactants are known as quaternary ammonium compounds such as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. These are widely used as disinfectants and sanitizers.

Strong alkaline substance which irritates the skin.

An organic sequestering agent used to inactivate hard water and other metallic ions in water. Includes additives in detergents for inactivating the minerals in water that interfere with cleaning. Ingredients include ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), NTA and sodium citrate.

An organic solvent containing chlorine atoms as part of the molecular structure such as methylene chloride and trichloroethylene.

A group of strong oxidizing agents commonly sold in an approximately 5% solution of sodium hypochlorite. Care should be taken to never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or hydrochloric acid.

Cleaning is locating, identifying, containing, removing and disposing of unwanted substances (pollutants) from the environment. It is our most powerful means of managing our immediate surrounding and protecting our health.

A powdered or liquid cleaning product containing abrasives, surfactants and frequently a bleach.

The temperature at which a surfactant becomes insoluble in water. This becomes important when designing detergents for use in hot water.

An irreversible process in which a number of emulsion droplets coalesce, leading to complete separation of the emulsion.

A type of solution in which the particles are not dissolved but are dispersed throughout the solvent or medium and held in suspension.

The ability of two or more substances to mix without objectionable changes in their physical or chemical properties.

See Dwell Time

A material that protects against the wearing away of surfaces. Sodium silicate is a corrosion inhibitor commonly used in detergents.

The concentration of a surfactant in solution at which the molecules begin to form aggregates called micelles while the concentration of surfactant in solution remains constant.

Substance used to reduce or eliminate foam.

A specialty product that removes grease and greasy/oily soils from hard surfaces. Basic ingredients include surfactants that penetrate and emulsify along with alcohol or glycol derivatives to boost cleaning.

Water from which charged or ionizable organic or inorganic salts are removed.

A washing and cleaning agent with a composition other than soap. Detergents unlike soaps are less sensitive to minerals in water.

The spontaneous and even mixing of gases or liquids.

Reduces the cohesive attraction between like particles.

A colloidal system characterized by a continuous (external phase) and a discontinuous (internal phase). Uniformity of dispersions can be improved by the use of dispersing agents.

Water which has had salts removed by distillation. It is very pure, but does contain some dissolved gases.

Describes the time a substance is left on a surface.

Substances capable of conducting an electric current, either in their pure liquid state or when in solution. Acids, bases and salts are all electrolytes.

The action of breaking up fats, oils and other soils into small particles which are then suspended in a solution.

Chemical reaction where the energy content of the products is more than that of the reactants; heat is taken in by the system,

Protein molecules produced within an organism that are used as catalysts for biochemical reactions.

A chemically caused change on the outside of a smooth floor surface which causes the floor to be pitted or rough.

A change of state from liquid to gaseous (vapor), due to the escape of molecules from the surface. A liquid which evaporates readily is described as volatile.

A reaction in which heat is given off to the surroundings as the products of the reaction are formed. The addition of high concentrations of sodium hydroxide to water produces an exothermic reaction.

An organic substance which reacts with a base to form a soap. Tallow and coconut oil are examples.

The minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off a vapor in sufficient concentration to ignite when tested.

A reversible process in which a number of emulsion droplets stick together to form a cluster which can be broken up by mechanical action restoring the emulsion to its original form.

A mass of bubbles formed on liquids by agitation. Foam can be unstable, transient or stable depending upon the presence and nature of the components in the liquid.

An acronym for the phrase "Generally Recognized As Safe" under sections 201(s) and 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Water which contains calcium and magnesium salts that have dissolved from the rocks over which the water has flowed. Water that does not contain these salts is called soft water. There are two types of hardness -- temporary hardness, which can be removed relatively easy and permanent hardness, which is more difficult to remove.

A property of a surfactant which is represented by an arbitrary scale of 0-20 wherein the most hydrophilic materials have the highest numbers. The HLB of a nonionic surfactant is the approximate weight of ethylene oxide in the surfactant divided by 5.

Term applied to the group or radical of a surfactant molecule that makes or tends to make it soluble in water.

A substance that increases the insolubility in water of another material, which is only partially soluble.

The inability of one substance to dissolve in another.

A measure of the molecular forces existing at the boundary between two phases. It is expressed in dynes/cm. Liquids with low interfacial tension are more easily emulsified.

An electrically charged particle, formed when an atom loses or gains one or more electrons to form a stable outer shell. All ions are either Cations or anions.

A spherical grouping of detergent molecules in water. Oils and greases dissolve in the hydrophobic center of the micelle.

A term often used interchangeably with solubility. It is the ability of a liquid or gas to dissolve uniformly in another liquid or gas.

The smallest particle of an element or compound that normally exists on its own and still retains its properties. Molecules normally consist of two or more atoms bonded together. ionic compounds consist of ions and do not have molecules.

A chemical state that is neither acid nor alkali with a pH of 7.

A floor cleaner that has a pH that is compatible with the finish to be cleaned. Generally this means a pH of between 7-9. Higher pH floor cleaners can attack the floor finish and dull it.

A surface active agent containing neither positively or negatively charged functional groups. These surfactants have been found to be especially effective in removing oily soil.

To combine with oxygen. Slow oxidation is typified by the rusting of a metal.

A substance that accepts electrons in an oxidation-reduction reaction and that causes the oxidation of a reactant molecule.

A measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. It is expressed in a number from 0-14. Zero being a powerful acid and 14 being a powerful alkali. Distilled water is a 7.

A detergent additive which increases its water softening ability.

Water is the most common polar solvent.

A surface that was many tiny openings. A porous surface will require more finish or sealer to fill and smooth out these openings.

Material settled out of solution.

Floor finishes are susceptible to bacterial contamination. This is why finishes contain small amounts of antimicrobial agents to prevent microbial deterioration. These preservatives protect the unopened container, but do not substantially protect finish after it has been used.

A family of bases and salts derived from ammonium, some of which are used as disinfectants and algaecides .

A substance used to start a chemical reaction. In the laboratory, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide are reagents.

An ionic compound formed by the reaction between an acid and a base.

The process of converting a fat into soap by treating it with an alkali. Also the process used by some to remove grease and oil.

Describes a solution that will not dissolve any more solute at a given temperature. Any more solute will remain as crystals.

Chemicals that tie up water hardness and prevent the precipitation of hard water salts. This action causes clarity in liquid soap.

Describes a wide group of substances that attach themselves to surfaces creating a pollutant. Soils loosely attach to surfaces by surface tension, electrical attraction or chemical bonding.

A liquid which dissolves another substance. Water is the most common solvent.

The attractive forces liquid molecules have for each other.

Substances which lower the surface tension of water. These surface-active agents modify the emulsifying, foaming, dispersing, spreading and wetting properties of a product.

The process of a cleaning agent holding insoluble dirt particles in the cleaning solution and keeping them from redepositing on a clean floor.

Chemicals that when combined have a greater effect than the sum of the two independently.

Sometimes called soapless detergents. They are typically made from by-products of refining crude oil. They do not form a scum in hard water and lather better than soap.

A procedure that uses a neutralization reaction to determine the normality (the number of equivalents per liter of solution) of an unknown acid or base solution.

Water is called the universal solvent because it dissolves both ionic compounds and polar molecular compounds. Water usually cannot dissolve nonpolar molecules.

The thickness of a liquid which determines pourability. Water has a viscosity of 1 centipoise. The resistance to flow is measured in relationship to water in centipoise.

The part of a product that evaporates during drying.

A measure of the amount of metallic salts found in water. Hard water can inhibit the action of some surfactants and reduce the effectiveness of the cleaning process.

A chemical which reduces surface tension of water, allowing it to spread more freely.