Introduction
Not all dirt is the same, so removing different types of dirt will require a range of different types of cleaners. The Cillit Bang family of cleaners uses a variety of chemical methods to remove dirt and stains. Table 1 shows examples of a number of types of dirt and stains.
| Water-soluble | Particulate | Fats/oils | Proteins/Carbohydrates | Oxidizable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inorganic salts | Metal oxides | Vegetable oil | Blood | Fruits |
| Sugar | Clays | Animal fat | Egg | Vegetables |
| Urea | Carbon | Human sebum | Milk | Wine |
| Waxes | Starches | Coffee/Tea |
Table 1: Types of dirt and stains
Some types of cleaning agents are listed below.
- bleaches
- detergents (surfactants)
- solvents
- acids
Cillit Bang is a brand rather than a single product. It includes a range of cleaners for different types of dirt. The brand is marketed throughout the world and there are different formulations for different types of cleaning, Figure 1. The products also differ in different countries to fit people's cleaning habits and local regulations as to what components can be included.
Figure 1: Part of the Cillit Bang range of products
It would be impossible to cover every member of the Cillit Bang family here so we will look at a representative range of the different types.
The Cillit Bang range can be broken down into three main types of product
- ‘Lime and Grime’ range of cleaners based on acids
- Toilet cleaners - based on bleaches
- Degreasers - alkaline, based on detergents and solvents
Chemistry in your cupboard
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