Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Cleanup Solvent

The market is filled with commercial clean-up solvents and it is difficult to choose the right product for your requirements amongst so many options. From prochem clean up chemicals to eco-friendly clean up chemicals, a die making business can choose from a wide variety of clean up chemicals to suit specific cleaning requirements. But, before we proceed, let us learn in detail about the functions of a clean up solvent.

A cleanup solvent is a liquid cleaning agent used to effectively remove stains, glue, dirt, bad odors. The purpose of cleanup solvents includes preventing cross-contamination, health issues, infections, and removing bad odor. While some cleanup solvents are used to sanitize and disinfect a surface, others can be used to remove grease, oil, and glue. The latter category is commonly known as degreasers.

In case you are unsure about the cleaning chemical best suited for your needs, here are a few factors you must consider while choosing the right clean up solvent.

Generally, cleanup solvent can be divided into various categories, namely:

• Acids: These cleaning agents are suitable for removing inorganic build-up like scaling, rust, hard water deposits, soap scum, and other deposits often found in restrooms and bathrooms. A majority of the active ingredients in these cleanup solvents constitute of chelants and mineral acids. However, sometimes manufacturers also add corrosion inhibitors and surfactants to the mix.

• Alkaline: These chemical cleanup solvents contain strong bases such as bleach with pH level 12, ammonia with pH level 11, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, etc. Alkaline cleanup solvents are mostly used as dispersant to prevent the repeated deposition of chelants, dirt, and rust. Apart from this, alkaline cleanup solvents also successfully dissolve protein based substances, fats, and oils.

• Water-Based: These cleaners are often described by their pH levels. Water-based cleaners are an effective alternative to eco-friendly cleaners and are based on both alkalis and acids. These cleaners can be applied to both warm and cold cleaning processes and are available in both liquid and powder form.

• Disinfectants: These liquid cleaners basically function as antimicrobial agents when applied to any surface. Disinfectants do not necessarily kill all pathogens from a surface but they do destroy the cell wall of these microorganisms, thus preventing further reproduction.

• Eco-friendly Cleaning Agents: These cleansers are also known as green cleaning products and are used for natural cleaning sans the chemical residue. These cleaning products are produced through sustainable manufacturing practices and use safe, non-toxic, naturally-derived, and biodegradable ingredients which have no negative impact on the environment.

The pH level of a cleanup solvent determines the concentration and strength of the substance. For the uninitiated, pH level measures the acidity levels of a solvent. The pH scale extends from 1 to 14 with 7 being considered the neutral point. Less than 7 pH is considered to be more acidic while more than 7 is deemed more alkaline.

Varied working conditions in the industrial sector require cleanup solvents with different strengths of acidic or alkaline concentrations. For example, manufacturing units using varied chemicals during the production process need powerful cleanup solvents with high concentration to keep the premises hygienic. On the other hand, working environments such as general office areas require relatively low-strength cleaning chemicals.

Whether you are cleaning factory floors, different types of equipment like die-making machines and other tools, rubber surfaces, or work desks – the type of cleaning to be conducted will have a profound impact on the type of cleaning chemical which needs to be purchased. For example, if you want to remove the remains of an adhesive from tool parts, you will have to use the cleanup solvent designed specifically for that purpose. Products like Cleanup Solvent 22 are effective for removing adhesives from tools and machinery effectively.

While it is important to consider the strength of the cleanup solvent, these can contain strong chemicals that could cause health problems in employees with low immunity. There are various cleanup solvents in the market which are especially designed to offer adequate cleaning strength while also being safe to use in areas crowded with people with varying degrees of immunity. Therefore, before buying a chemical, you must ensure that it is fit to be used for cleaning your equipment, taking into account the health concerns of the employees handling the machinery on a daily basis.

Many factors must be taken into account while choosing the right cleanup solvent. These factors will not only ensure that you buy the right product but also that you get a clean surface on a daily basis. Once you have bought the perfect product, refer to the product literature to know more about the exact amount to be used, the detailed application procedure, and the surface compatibility data.

Reference
http://statechemical.com/content/state-chemical-blog-post-1
https://www.janitorialdirect.co.uk/blog/what-you-need-to-consider-when-buying-cleaning-chemicals/
https://blog.ultrasonicllc.com/blog/2016/06/01/industrial-parts-cleaning-101-understanding-methods-costs-pros-and-cons
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleaning_agent#Automotive_cleansers