Understanding the Cleaning Industry

**Acidic Cleaner #

** A cleaning agent with a pH level below 7, which is typically used to remove mineral deposits, rust, and hard water stains.

**Alkaline Cleaner #

** A cleaning agent with a pH level above 7, which is commonly used to break down and remove organic soils, greases, and oils.

**Antimicrobial Agent #

** A substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

**Aqueous Ozone #

** A type of cleaning solution generated by infusing ozone gas into water, creating a powerful sanitizer and oxidizer that can be used for cleaning and deodorizing surfaces.

**Bacteria #

** Single-celled microorganisms that can be found almost everywhere, including on surfaces, in water, and in soil. Some bacteria are harmless or even beneficial, while others can cause illness or spoilage.

**Biohazardous Materials #

** Materials that present a risk to human health due to the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens. Examples include blood, bodily fluids, and medical waste.

**Cross #

Contamination:** The transfer of harmful bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens from one surface to another, often through contact with contaminated cleaning tools or equipment.

**Color #

Coding System:** A system for labeling cleaning tools and equipment to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, typically by assigning different colors to different areas or types of surfaces.

**Detergent #

** A cleaning agent that contains surfactants, which help to break down and remove dirt, grime, and stains from surfaces.

**Disinfectant #

** A chemical agent that is used to kill or inactivate bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens on surfaces.

**Dwell Time #

** The amount of time that a cleaning agent must be in contact with a surface in order to effectively clean or disinfect it.

**Efficacy #

** The ability of a cleaning agent or method to achieve a desired result, such as removing dirt, grime, or bacteria from a surface.

**Enzymatic Cleaner #

** A cleaning agent that contains enzymes, which are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in order to break down and remove specific types of stains, such as protein-based stains or carbohydrate-based stains.

**Exposure Control Plan #

** A plan that outlines the steps that a cleaning business should take to protect its employees from exposure to harmful chemicals or pathogens.

**First Aid #

** Emergency medical care that is provided immediately after an accident or injury, typically by a layperson or first responder.

**Germicidal #

** A term used to describe a chemical agent that is capable of killing or inactivating germs, including bacteria and viruses.

**Green Cleaning #

** A cleaning approach that focuses on using environmentally friendly products and methods, such as using non-toxic cleaners, reducing water usage, and reducing waste.

**Hard Water #

** Water that contains high levels of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, which can leave behind mineral deposits and make it more difficult to clean surfaces.

**Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) #

** A federal regulation that requires employers to provide their employees with information about the hazards of the chemicals they use in the workplace.

**Hepatitis #

** A group of viral infections that can damage the liver and cause serious health problems.

**Hot Water Extraction #

** A method of deep cleaning carpets and upholstery using hot water and a cleaning solution, which is then extracted using a wet vacuum.

**Infection Control #

** A set of practices and protocols that are designed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings.

**IPC #

** Infection Prevention and Control, a set of practices and protocols designed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

**Microfiber #

** A type of fabric that is made from very fine fibers, typically less than 1 decitex in diameter. Microfiber is often used in cleaning cloths and mops because of its ability to trap and remove dirt, dust, and moisture from surfaces.

**Neutral Cleaner #

** A cleaning agent with a pH level of around 7, which is typically used for general cleaning and is safe for use on most surfaces.

**OSHA #

** The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a federal agency that is responsible for ensuring safe and healthful working conditions for employees.

**Pathogen #

** A microorganism that can cause disease or illness, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

**Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) #

** Equipment that is worn to protect the user from exposure to hazardous chemicals, pathogens, or other risks. Examples include gloves, masks, and goggles.

**Pesticide #

** A substance that is used to kill, repel, or inhibit pests, such as insects, rodents, or fungi.

**pH #

** A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, with a pH of 7 being neutral, a pH below 7 being acidic, and a pH above 7 being alkaline.

**PPE #

** Personal Protective Equipment, equipment used to protect workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals and pathogens.

**Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATs) #

** A group of chemicals that are commonly used as disinfectants and sanitizers, particularly in healthcare settings.

**Residue #

** Any remaining cleaning agent or soil that is left behind on a surface after cleaning.

**Sanitizer #

** A chemical agent that is used to reduce the number of bacteria on a surface to a safe level, typically by 99.9%.

**Soil #

** Any dirt, grime, or other substance that accumulates on a surface and needs to be removed through cleaning.

**SOP #

** Standard Operating Procedure, a set of written instructions that outline how a task or process should be performed.

**Surfactant #

** A chemical agent that helps to break down and remove dirt, grime, and stains from surfaces by reducing the surface tension of water.

**TDS #

** Total Dissolved Solids, a measure of the total amount of organic and inorganic substances that are dissolved in water.

**Universal Precautions #

** A set of guidelines for handling blood and other bodily fluids, which assumes that all bodily fluids are potentially infectious.

**Virucide #

** A chemical agent that is specifically designed to kill or inactivate viruses on surfaces.

**Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) #

** A group of chemicals that are commonly found in cleaning products and can evaporate at room temperature, potentially causing respiratory irritation and other health problems.

**Water Quality #

** A measure of the suitability of water for a particular use, such as drinking, cleaning, or irrigation.

**Workplace Violence #

** Any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening behavior that occurs in the workplace.

**Zone Cleaning #

** A cleaning approach that divides a facility into zones or areas, and assigns specific cleaning tasks to each zone. This approach can help to ensure that all areas of the facility are cleaned thoroughly and consistently.