cleaning compound molecule is soluble in
water. The hydrophobic portion is soluble
in the soil. When the cleaning compound
molecules surround the soil, a suspended
soil particle results by micelle formation
(Figure 9–2).
Factors Affecting Cleaning Performance
(Anon., 1996)
Time: contact time on the surface being
cleaned
Action: physical force exerted onto the
surface (velocity or flow)
Concentration: amount of cleaner used
Temperature: amount of energy (as heat)
used in the cleaning solution
Water: used to prepare cleaning solution
Individual: worker performing clean-up
operation
Nature: composition of the soil
Surface: what material is being cleaned
These factors spell out the acronym TACT
WINS and describe important factors
involved in cleaning.
Cleaning Compound Terminology
Cleaning compounds are agents made up
of a variety of compounds. This text provides
a basic understanding of the various agents
that make up cleaning compounds without
recommending or endorsing any branded
products. The best “rule of thumb” to con-
sider when selecting a cleaning compound is
that “like cleans like.” Therefore, an acid soil
requires an acid cleaner, and an alkaline soil
should be removed with an alkaline cleaning
compound.
To further understand the properties of
cleaning compounds, the following terms are
important:●Chelating agent (frequently calledseques-
tering agent orsequestrant):An additive
used in cleaning compounds that pre-
vents hardness constituents and salts of
calcium and magnesium from depositing
on equipment surfaces by binding these
salts to their molecular structure or the
binding of other ions.
●Detergent: A compound that cleans or
purges.
●Emulsification:A complex action con-
sisting of a physical breakdown of fats
and oils into smaller particles that are
dispersed throughout the medium. The
soil is still present but is reduced in phys-
ical size.
●Peptizing:A process that involves the
formation of a colloidal solution from a
material that is partially soluble, by the
action of alkaline materials on protein
soils.
●Rinsibility: The ability of a cleaning
compound to be removed easily from a
surface with minimal residue.
●Saponification:The action of an alka-
line material on an insoluble soil (i.e.,
animal fat or vegetable oil) to produce a
soluble, crude soap.Cleaning Compounds 147Figure 9–2Soil praticle suspended by micelle for-
mation.