Surface cleaning includes all types of hard surfaces, such as plastic and wood surfaces or furniture. These need to be cleaned in the private home as well as in professional and industrial areas. The specific requirements that must be met by cleaning agents are as diverse as the surfaces themselves.
Foam allows the easy application of cleaners. Using a foam sprayer, especially ready-to-use cleaners can be applied safely and precisly to the area that is to be cleaned. Foam prolongs the working time of the cleaner (e.g. an oven cleaner). Furthermore, foam can protect sensitive surfaces from scratches.
Sometimes, foam is not desired when cleaning household surfaces. In this case, low-foaming surfactants can be used in surface cleaners.
Hydrotropic surfactants help improve the solubility of nonionic surfactants in surface cleaners, especially in cleaner concentrates.
With the right product, perfume oils or hydrophobic solvents can be clearly solubilised.
Depending on product type, dosage system and application, the viscosity of a cleaner must be in the “right” range and therefore needs to be either decreased or increased.
Degreasing means effectively removing hydrophobic dirt (e.g. oils and fats). In surface cleaners, nonionic surfactants are used since they possess a high fat-dissolving power.
Wetting dirt and surfaces is the first and critical step in the cleaning process. Special surfactants with fast wetting properties speed up the cleaning of surfaces, especially if hydrophobic (greasy and/or polymer-based) surfaces are to be cleaned.
Emulsifiers play an important role not only when greasy soil is to be emulsified in cleaning solutions, but also when cleaning agents contain a high proportion of perfume oil or when a hydrophobic solvent is to be incorporated to enhance the cleaning effect.
Shiny surfaces can appear hazy and dull if water condensation leads to fogging. Special surfactants and polymers used in cleaners in the right concentration can prevent fogging.
Static charges on surfaces can cause electric shocks that may damage electronic devices. Furthermore, static charges may accelerate the re-soiling of surfaces after cleaning. Surfactants with antistatic properties prevent static charges on surfaces.
Metal surfaces can be damaged by acidic cleaners. Surfactants with anti-corrosion properties can prevent corrosion during the cleaning process.
