You make it easiest for yourself to clean and maintain a clean home if you ensure you choose the right cleaning product with the correct chemistry to handle the specific task you're about to undertake.
The fact is, there isn't one cleaning product that can handle all tasks. Below, we've gathered the most significant types of cleaning supplies, which we use as a basis to guide you on what each is used for.
We hope this helps you better understand what you can – and cannot – use the different types of cleaning products for.
General daily cleaning
We recommend using the mildest cleaning product that can get the job done. This also means that many common daily cleaning tasks actually don't require any form of cleaning product or chemicals.
For example, a microfiber cloth can often replace soap if it's just for wiping down furniture – either a dry cloth for dusting or a damp cloth for removing small spots.
The cleaning products below are for more demanding tasks where there is actual dirt, grime, a greasy film, or other residue on a surface that needs to be washed off with soap.
Achieve the most beautiful, clean result from your cleaning efforts
The very best advice we can give is to avoid using dish soap and all-purpose soap for all tasks. Instead, always choose a product specifically developed for the surface to be cleaned. You wouldn't use limescale remover to wash clothes or clean a wooden floor with window cleaner.
Next, it's important to follow the dosing instructions, but especially to adjust the amount of cleaning product according to the water hardness and how dirty the surface is.
Additionally, you'll need all the necessary accessories such as microfiber cloths, a mop, bucket, tea towel, and anything else the specific tasks require.
A good rule of thumb when choosing a cleaning product is related to its pH value.
High pH value: The higher the pH value a cleaning product has, the more effectively it dissolves grease.
Neutral pH value: A pH value of 7 is neutral and also the least irritating to the skin. This is where you'll find disinfectants, for example.
Low pH value: If, however, you need to dissolve rust and limescale deposits, you should opt for a more acidic cleaning product – one with a lower pH value. The lower the pH value, the more acidic it is.
The pH scale ranges from 0 (very strong limescale remover) to 14 (very strong alkaline). Moving just one number on the scale away from 0 makes the alkalinity or acidity 10 times stronger, respectively.
What is acidic cleaning product?
Acidic cleaning products have a low pH value and are good at dissolving limescale. This category includes limescale removers, which are very acidic.
However, you should never use acidic cleaning products on natural stone and other materials that risk permanent acid damage.
What is alkaline cleaning product?
Alkaline or basic cleaning products, which have a pH value of 8 or above, are effective at removing vegetable and animal fats, as well as proteins. The higher the pH value, the stronger its grease-dissolving properties.
In this category, you will find, among other things:
- Heavy-duty cleaner
- Degreaser
- Resin remover
- Caustic soda
- Mild all-purpose cleaner
- (Some types of) dish soap.
What is all-purpose cleaner?
All-purpose cleaner is generally mildly alkaline with a pH value of around 9, making it effective for removing common dirt and grease in everyday cleaning of water-resistant surfaces. It can be used on everything from floors, walls, painted surfaces, and for cleaning fixtures, kitchens, etc.
All-purpose cleaner leaves no protective film. Therefore, in some cases, the cleaned surface may need subsequent treatment. All-purpose cleaner is therefore not recommended for oiled wooden floors, for example.
All-purpose cleaner can generally be used as an all-round soap anyway, as long as the surface is also water-resistant. It does not deep clean, but removes common dirt and grime. For example, put it in a spray bottle and use a microfiber cloth to wipe it off.
Environmentally friendly cleaning product
We see it in all industries: an intense focus on making products as environmentally friendly as possible. This naturally also applies to the cleaning industry, where it is increasingly easy to find cleaning products that are, for example, Nordic Swan Ecolabelled, gentle, mild, and contribute to an environmentally friendly focus for the cleaning industry.
It's a delicate balance to produce cleaning products that do not unnecessarily burden people and the climate, but which at the same time can actually clean effectively. But it's always a good guideline not to use stronger agents than absolutely necessary for the task.
Buy all cleaning supplies at Fnugfri.dk
We are somewhat experts when it comes to cleaning. There is hardly a cleaning task for which we don't have a good and effective household tip. We naturally try to share these here on the blog. But if there's something you're still wondering about, don't hesitate to ask.
You are always welcome to write or call us for our guidance on a specific task. Whether you need to descale your shower, clean the oven, polish your windows, or clean the refrigerator, we have almost certainly been there and can give you some good advice and products that will practically do the job for you.