Acid cleaners are the most powerful type of cleaning agent and should be used with care. If they are not diluted correctly, acid cleaners can be very poisonous and corrosive. Acid cleaners are generally used to remove mineral deposits and are useful for descaling dishwashers or removing rust from restroom facilities.

Cleaning products are available in soaps, detergents, and all-purpose cleaners. Alkalis help clean food spills, oils, grease, and everyday things that get dirty. They remove oily dirt without rubbing and vary in strength from mild to moderate to strong.

Bleach (pH 12) and ammonia (pH 11) are common alkaline cleaning agents. Often, dispersants, to prevent redeposition of dissolved dirt, and chelants, to attack rust, are added to the alkaline agent. Alkaline cleaners can dissolve fats (including grease), oils, and protein-based substances.

Cleaning products play an essential role in our daily lives. By safely and effectively removing soils, germs and other contaminants, they help us to stay healthy, care for our homes and possessions, and make our surroundings more pleasant.