UNIT 4
CLEANING AGENTS
(A)
GENERAL
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION :-
The use of cleaning agents is
meant to save time, efforts and money. If selected well ,all the three
objectives may be fulfilled. The following points need to be considered when
selecting cleaning agents.
(i)
The type of
soilage .
(ii)
The type of
surface
(iii)
Composition
of the cleaning agents
(iv)
Easy to use
, saving of efforts and time
(v)
Toxicity or
side effects
(vi)
Odour
(vii)
Range of
action or versatility
(viii)
Shelf life
(ix)
Packaging
volumes and quantities
(x)
Cost
effectiveness
(B)
CLASSIFICATION
Cleaning agents can be defined as
natural or synthetic substances that are use to assist cleaning process .
various kind of cleaning agents are discussed below :
(A) Water :- it is the prime agent in cleaning
process .it is not a sufficiently effective cleanser to meet standards most hotel required. For water to be effective
in cleaning . it must be used with other cleaning agents.
(B)
Detergent :- these
are cleaning agents that are used with water , loosen $ removed dirt. The three basic properties of a good detergent are :-
·
Good wetting
power
·
Good emulsifying
power
·
Good
suspending power
(i)
Composition of detergent
(a) Active ingredients – The active ingredients is obtained from natural oil and fats
(b)Builders
– These give
bulk to the detergent . it increases the efficiency of detergents
(c) Additives
– Optical brighteners help to prevent the yellowing of fabrics that occurs with
time .
(ii)
Types of detergents :-
(a) Soapy detergent :-These are obtained when fat is treated with an alkali. The process
is called saponification . These are
effective only in soft water .
(b) Synthetic detergent :- These are soap free. They are not effective by hard water .
(C)
Abrasive
:-
These are substances that depends
on their rubbing or scratching action to clean dirt from hard surfaces
(i)
Types of abrasives :-
On the basis of hardness:-
(a)Fine abrasive: - chalk, pink oxide of iron
(b)Medium abrasive: - salt
(c) Hard abrasive: - bath brick, sand paper , steel wool, emery paper etc.
(D) Reagents:-
These brings about cleaning by a
chemical reaction
Types of reagents:-
(a) Acid: - It used as
cleaning agent. It may vary from mild acid (acetic acid) to strong acid
(hydrochloric acid) . Rubber gloves should always be use while handling them.
Strong acids should be rinsed away after cleaning process.
(b) Alkalis: - These were used as
cleaning agents in the form of liquids and powder. Strong alkalis should be
used with utmost caution as they are corrosive and toxic.
(E) Organic solvents: - Grease is soluble in many organic solvents.
An organic solvent evaporates rapidly from a surface and are ideal for cleaning
glass surface. Organic solvent should be handled with care as they are harmful
to skin.
(F) Disinfectants and bleaches:- It helps in cleaning process by
bringing about varying ranges of microbial control.
(i) Types of disinfectants:-
(a) Phenols:- These are used
to disinfect surface in
hospitals.
(b) Halogens:- Chlorine and iodine may be used as disinfectants.
(c) Pine oil:- Pine oil are obtained from pine tree.
(G) Glass cleaners:- Most glass cleaners are available as spray
or liquids. A glass cloth is ideal for the purpose. Soft water to which some
methylated spirit or vinegar is added is an inexpensive glass cleaner that can be readily made in housekeeping
department.
(H)
Deodorizers:- It helps
in the cleaning process by preventing bad odours. They are used in restroom ,
guestroom, cloakroom and public areas.
They are available as sprays , liquids , powder etc.
(I) Toilet Cleaners:- These are strong cleaning agents designed
to clean and disinfect WC and urinals. They
are available in liquid , powder and solid forms. They are acidic in nature.
They all contain some form of disinfectant. Whatever the form of toilet cleaner
used, they should never be mixed with other cleaning agent since harmful gases
may be produced.
[C]
POLISHES:-
These chemicals produce a shine
by providing a smooth surface from which light is reflected evenly . Polishes
are applied to a surface to form hard, protective layer and guard against
finger marks , stain and scratches.
Classification of polishes:-
(a) Metal polish:- These remove the tarnish that form on metal. These polish also
eliminate any scratches on metal. In hotels , hard surface where metal polishes are used
included door plates and handles , foot rails in bar , staircase, banisters,
ashtrays, bathroom fitting ,tableware and cutlery. Metal polishes are available
in form of clear liquid and of powders.
Certain recommendation on use of metal polishes are given below:-
·
Cover the
surrounding area with newspaper or protective sheet.
·
Carry out
any polishing work in a well-ventilated room.
·
Use an
appropriate polish applicators.
·
Remove
polish with cotton or soft dry cloth.
·
Buff polish
with rags and dusters.
·
Leave the
area and equipment clean and tidy after polishing work is complete.
(b)Furniture
Polish:- It
protects against abrasion and absorption
of stains and spills furniture polish needs to apply frequency only. In case of
unvarnished wood, they can be buffed regularly with a duster. Certain points
should be kept in mind while working with furniture polish.
·
Apply the
polish on clean surface
·
Use least
quantity as far as possible
·
Use soft
disposal rags for applying polish
·
Always keep
polish containers close when not in use
(c) Floor polish :- These polish not
only give an attractive look to the surface but also provide a protective coat
on it . The right kind of polish should be used along with right equipments .
Some guidelines on use of floor
polish are in listed below :-
·
Use
appropriate signage .
·
Ventilate
the area well before starting
·
Apply the
polish to a clean and dry floor .
·
Allow
sufficient drying time
·
Buff
thoroughly .
(d) Leather polish :- These contain wax,
solvent and dye. They are available in form of cream and liquid .
(D) FLOOR SEALS :- These are applied to flooring
surfaces as a semi permanent finish that act as protective barrier by
preventing entry of dirt, grease, stains and bacteria. They prevent scratching
and provide easily maintainable surface . Floor sealing should be done on a
clean and dry surface .Most sealers require hardening time of 12 to 16 hours and 2 to 3 coats are recommended .
(i) Types of floor sealer :-
(a) Oleo resinous sealers :- these
are clear sealers used on wood and cork floors . They impart an attractive surface
and also penetrate the floor darkening the colour . They are cheaper .
(b) One pot plastic sealer :- They
are made of synthetic material. They impart gloss to floor but do not penetrate
it .
(c) Two pot plastic sealer :- This
type of sealer should be used in well
ventilated room as they smell strongly of
fumes .
(d) Pigmented sealers :- these
sealer contain colour pigments .
(e) Water based sealer :- it penetrate
the floor surface to provide plastic skin. They can easily be touched up ,
removed and renewed .
(f) Silicate sealer :- They prevent
the entry of dust on there surface . These are much cheaper than other sealers .
(E) USE, CARE AND STORAGE:-
Cleaning agents with a longer
shelf life are bought in bulk because of reduce cost . Other agents are
bought and replenish periodically . Storage
of cleaning agent is crucial and various points to be kept in mind are :-
·
Ensure that
storage rags are sturdy . Heavier containers must be kept on bottom shelf
·
The store
should be kept clean and well ventilated .
·
Label all
containers neatly
·
Ensure that
lids are tightly closed .
·
Use
appropriate dispenser .
·
Avoid
spillage
·
Check stock
regularly
·
The
store should be kept locked when not in use .
[F]
DISTRIBUTION
AND CONTROLS:-
(i) Requisition :-
This system of issuing is followed
in large hotels. The floor supervisor maintain a requisition book with slips in
triplicate. A slip is filled by room attendant, this is signed by floor
supervisor and book is sent to stores. The store keeper collects the items and
sign the triplicate copies of requisition slip. The store then issue the requisition
item which are collected by housekeeping employee and transported to floor with
one signed copy of requisition slip. The second copy is send to EHK and third
copy remains in requisition book.
(ii) Full for empty :- This system of issuing is followed in
small hotels. Empty containers of used up cleaning supplies are taken to
housekeeping store by room attendant.
The store assistant replace the empty container with full one.
(iii) Topping up :- The difference between this method and the
earlier one is that here room attendant approach housekeeping stores only at a
fix time. Each week for getting their
supplies topped up.
[G]
USE OF ECO FRIENDLY PRODUCTS IN HOUSEKEEPING
:-
(i) Toiletries:- Some of the herbs and natural substances frequently
used in toiletries such as shampoos , conditioners , lotions etc. are aloe vera
, citrus fruit , neem , sunflower , basil , pumpkin , cucumber , turmeric ,
sandalwood , apricot , mace , clove , nutmeg , coriander , rose , henna , clay , honey etc.
(ii) Energy conserving products :- housekeepers are looking for
products and equipments that conserve energy. Housekeeper and interior
designers also have their energy efficient lamps.
(iii)Ozone
treatment :-Ozone act
as a disinfectant. It is safer and more effective than chlorine as it purifies
water and air leaving behind no harmful residues.
(iv) Air treatment:- Ozonizers can be used to treat air in hotel
rooms and public areas.
(v) Water treatment:-Ozone can also be used to treat drinking
water , swimming pools , laundry operations etc.