CARPET CLEANING CHEMICALS 101: What should you know?

Why Understanding pH Matters in the Cleaning Industry – A Guide from Cleaning Depot

Remember those high school chemistry lessons? If you're running a residential or commercial cleaning business, especially in carpet care, it turns out some of that science is more useful than you thought. In particular, understanding the pH scale is essential for choosing the right cleaning solutions for different jobs.

What is pH and Why Should You Care?

The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is, ranging from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline), with 7 being neutral. Every step up or down on the scale represents a tenfold increase in acidity or alkalinity. For example, a product with a pH of 10 is ten times more alkaline than one with a pH of 9.

Knowing this is key because everything—including dirt—has a pH level, and matching or countering it properly with the right cleaning solution can make or break your cleaning results.

Matching the Right pH to the Job

Generally, you want to use a cleaning product with a pH opposite to the soil or residue you're targeting:

• Acidic solutions (pH < 7) break down alkaline residues like mineral deposits, rust, and limescale.

• Alkaline solutions (pH > 7) are ideal for tackling acidic soils such as grease, oil, and organic grime.

• Neutral solutions (pH ~7) are great for general maintenance cleaning on sealed floors, desks, and lightly soiled areas.

Carpet Cleaning and pH

The type of carpet fiber plays a big role in choosing the correct solution:

• Synthetic fibers (like nylon or polyester) can handle a broader pH range, usually 0 to 10.

• Natural fibers (like wool or cotton) are more sensitive and do best with mild solutions in the 5–8 pH range.

It's also wise to test carpet pH before cleaning, especially if past cleaners or stains may have shifted its natural acidity.

Types of Cleaning Products by pH

• Acidic cleaners (pH 0–6): Good for bathrooms, rust stains, and mineral buildup.

• Alkaline cleaners (pH 8–14): Excellent for kitchen grease, oils, and protein-based stains.

• Neutral cleaners (pH 7): Perfect for day-to-day cleaning of hard surfaces like tile, laminate, and wood.

Choosing the Right Product for Cleaning

When selecting a cleaning product, ask yourself:

• What type of surface am I cleaning?

• What kind of dirt or soil am I dealing with?

• What material is the surface or fabric made of?

For example:

• Use acidic cleaners for soap scum or limescale in sinks.

• Switch to alkaline cleaners for greasy kitchen counters.

• Use neutral cleaners for everyday surface cleaning in offices.

Ready to Get the Right Products?

For professional-grade carpet and surface cleaning chemicals, Cleaning Depot has you covered. With a full range of solutions tailored to every job and fiber type, you’ll find exactly what your cleaning business needs to perform at its best.