When Choosing an All-Purpose or Glass Cleaner Remember
- Identify the surfaces you would like to clean. All-purpose/degreaser and glass cleaners can effectively clean most surfaces in your home or business. If cleaning wood or a delicate surface, make sure to choose a different cleaner safe for that surface.
- Read the labeling carefully to ensure the cleaning chemical will lead you to your intended result (i.e. cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting).
- If you are looking for a ‘green’ alternative, consider a vinegar cleaner.
- Read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for a cleaning chemical to learn of any hazardous ingredients.
Safety Tips
- Wear gloves to protect your skin while cleaning.
- Promote adequate air circulation while using these products.
- NEVER mix two chemicals together.
- Chlorine/ammonia or vinegar/ammonia combinations can create a potentially fatal gas.
- Dial 911 or call Poison Control (800-222-1222) if you ingest or spill any chemicals on your skin or eyes.
- Store chemicals away from the reach of children or pets.
- The added fragrances may smell sweet and entice children and pets to ingest the chemicals.
Facts and Tips
- To effectively remove soil and bacteria from a surface, the cleaning chemical should be wiped with a cloth, rag or sponge.
- Consider using disposable wipers or microfiber cloths instead of a rag or sponge to avoid cross-contamination. Highly absorbent wipers and microfiber cloths trap dirt and grease removed from surfaces and/or hands.
Commonly Used Terms
- Cleaning: remove visible dirt and dust
- Sanitizing: reduces germs and bacteria on a surface
- Disinfecting: kills all germs and bacteria
- RTU: ready-to-use, requires no dilution or preparation before use
Dilution Ratio for Concentrated Cleaners
- All-purpose cleaners, degreasers or glass cleaners can sometimes be found in concentrated formulas.
- This allows many more uses from a standard size bottle of cleaning fluid.
- Before use, it is necessary to mix water with the concentrated solution according to the instructions.
- A standard dilution table has been provided below to help you understand the instructions.
Standard Dilution Table
