 |
 |
Different Glass Cleaners
Name: Kerry M.
Status: student
Age: 13
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 9/6/2004
Question:
Why do different glass cleaners have different effects on
glass? I know they have different ingredients, but what is the
difference? Why are they not the same?
Replies:
In general, cleaning solutions can be judged on (a) what dirt it is
capable of
removing, (b) what it does to the glass itself, and (c) what it leaves behind
on the glass. Cleansers that are essentially soap excel in removing oils from
glass - they vary in how strong they are (how well they do "a" while being
mild so that they do nothing to the glass "b"), and also how little residue
they leave behind ("c"). Stronger cleaning solutions may actually work to
etch
the glass, doing "a" by removing a small layer of glass ("b"), essentially
leaving a new glass surface. And finally, there are those that focus on "c" -
such as car soaps which try to rinse easily and leave no residue.
Hope that helps.
--Greg (Roberto Gregorius)
A lot of the difference is in marketing, companies want to distinguish
their products from each other. Different ingredients may have different
levels of toxicity, different scents, leave different levels of residue, or
be more or less effective at dissolving large amounts of grease. To a
large extent, what you pick depends on what you value most, for example you
might prefer less toxic ingredients.
In any case, you should read the label to make sure that the ingredients
are compatible with other cleaners that you are using. For example,
although ammonia and bleach each on their own are irritating or toxic,
mixed together the results could be deadly!
EPA provides a guide to various toxic substances and waste around the home.
http://www.epa.gov/grtlakes/seahome/housewaste/src/title.htm
Don Yee
Glass cleaners are formulated products containing: water, detergents,
solvents, and other additives. There are a number of detergents, solvents,
and other additives that can be mixed in varying proportions to produce a
glass cleaner. That is why they differ in their performance. What you are
trying to remove also is important. So, for example, a formulation intended
to remove oil from vehicle traffic may or may not work well to remove soap
scum from a bathroom mirror and the other way around.
Vince Calder
Click here to return to the Chemistry Archives
| |
Update: February 2012
|
|
