Types of Cleaning Compounds

Type	Uses	Hazards	Examples
Strong alkali	Destroys microbes, dissolves protein	Corrosive, burns skin and lungs	Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda)
Heavy-duty alkali	Removes fats, mechanized systems	Slightly corrosive	Sodium carbonate
Mild alkali	Lightly soiled areas, softens water	—	Sodium bicarbonate
Strong acid	Dissolves surface mineral deposits	Corrosive to concrete, metals and fabric	Phosphoric and hydrofluoric acids
Mild acid	Controls deposits, softens water	Slightly corrosive	levulinic, acetic, hydroxyacetic, and gluconic acids
Solvent	Dissolves grease and oil	—	—
Soaps and detergents***	Emulsifies fats, oils, and grease	—	—

***Household cleaners have a pH of 8 to 9.5

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