S.A.F.E. Cleaning and Disinfecting
Whenever handling any chemical, safety should always be a top priority. Follow the acronym S.A.F.E. and you will always be safe!
S – SMART. Always be smart when handling any chemical. Recognize that any chemical can be dangerous if handled or used incorrectly. ALWAYS wear the recommended PPE (personal protection equipment). If possible, use a product that is pH neutral.
A – ACCURATE. It is important to follow the directions on the label. Manufacturers put them there for a reason! If you are unclear on the directions or proper use of a product, call the manufacturer. Chinook Bio-Ag Products has a team of experts that can help with the proper use of any of the products on our web site.
F –FIND. Find and read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for any chemical product that you are using. These are there for your protection. The MSDS clearly lists any dangers or precautions associated with a particular product. Any recommended personal protection equipment (safety glasses, gloves, masks etc.) will be listed on the MSDS as well. This is your guide to using the product safely, READ IT!
E – EVALUATE. Have you ever asked yourself if you are using a safe product? For most cleaning and disinfecting requirements there are safe and effective alternatives. Here at Chinook, we are passionate about the need to provide safe and effective products. Most of our products are pH neutral and very safe to use.
Being S.A.F.E. is being smart. Take the time to know what you are using and use it properly. If you are uncomfortable with the products you are using, maybe it is time to look at alternatives. Now would be a great time to "Join the Revolution" and switch to safe products that work!
Ever wonder what makes a product clean ? Here is a simple breakdown of the chemistry involved in making cleaners perform.
pH - It's hard to talk about cleaners with discussing pH. pH is the measurement of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in relation to the concentration of hydroxyl ions (OH-).
As the scale above indicates, pH values range from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline or base). A pH value of 7 is considered neutral. Keep in mind that the scale is logarithmic, meaning that a pH of 6 is ten times more acidic than a pH of 7.
Know What You Are Cleaning
pH plays a key role in determining what type of cleaner to use . Soils, like dirt, grime, mineral deposits, fats, etc. are considered either organic or inorganic. Choose the type of cleaner based on what type of soils you are cleaning:
Organic Soils(Fats and proteins, blood, mold and yeast, manure, biofilms)
Generally, an alkaline cleaner(pH 10-14) is going to be more effective on these types of soils. Highly alkaline cleaners are corrosive and require the proper personal protection to use safely. Alkaline burns are particularly dangerous as the effects may not be noticed until well after the product has made contact with human tissue.
Inorganic Soils (Scale, lime , rust, mineral deposits)
Acidic cleaners (pH of 1- 4) are more effective against these types of soils. Acidic cleaners are also corrosive and need to be used with caution.
What About Neutral ?
pH neutral (7-9) means that the product remains non-reactive when it touches a surface (like your skin). Neutral cleaners are an excellent choice for general cleaning and are much safer to use. A good neutral cleaner will be effective against many types of soils. In some cases, an acidic or alkaline cleaner may be needed but stick to neutral whenever possible.
Cleaning Agents
These are what makes the cleaners clean. Here is a list of some of the more common cleaning agents:
Solvents- Dissolves soil and suspends it, allowing it to be carries away. Water was the first solvent.
Surfactants- These are "surface acting ingredients." Surfactants break up soils into smaller pieces. They also reduce surface tension which allows the soils to be washed away.
Penetrating Agents- These agents added to surfactants to improve cleaning performance. Penetrating agents are added to many commercial cleaners to improve foaming , emulsifying, wetting and solubilizing.
Chelating Agents- Hard water can hinder the cleaning ability of a solution. Chelating agents tie up the hardness in water, allowing the surfactants and solvents to do their job.
S – SMART. Always be smart when handling any chemical. Recognize that any chemical can be dangerous if handled or used incorrectly. ALWAYS wear the recommended PPE (personal protection equipment). If possible, use a product that is pH neutral.
A – ACCURATE. It is important to follow the directions on the label. Manufacturers put them there for a reason! If you are unclear on the directions or proper use of a product, call the manufacturer. Chinook Bio-Ag Products has a team of experts that can help with the proper use of any of the products on our web site.
F –FIND. Find and read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for any chemical product that you are using. These are there for your protection. The MSDS clearly lists any dangers or precautions associated with a particular product. Any recommended personal protection equipment (safety glasses, gloves, masks etc.) will be listed on the MSDS as well. This is your guide to using the product safely, READ IT!
E – EVALUATE. Have you ever asked yourself if you are using a safe product? For most cleaning and disinfecting requirements there are safe and effective alternatives. Here at Chinook, we are passionate about the need to provide safe and effective products. Most of our products are pH neutral and very safe to use.
Being S.A.F.E. is being smart. Take the time to know what you are using and use it properly. If you are uncomfortable with the products you are using, maybe it is time to look at alternatives. Now would be a great time to "Join the Revolution" and switch to safe products that work!
Ever wonder what makes a product clean ? Here is a simple breakdown of the chemistry involved in making cleaners perform.
pH - It's hard to talk about cleaners with discussing pH. pH is the measurement of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in relation to the concentration of hydroxyl ions (OH-).
As the scale above indicates, pH values range from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline or base). A pH value of 7 is considered neutral. Keep in mind that the scale is logarithmic, meaning that a pH of 6 is ten times more acidic than a pH of 7.
Know What You Are Cleaning
pH plays a key role in determining what type of cleaner to use . Soils, like dirt, grime, mineral deposits, fats, etc. are considered either organic or inorganic. Choose the type of cleaner based on what type of soils you are cleaning:
Organic Soils(Fats and proteins, blood, mold and yeast, manure, biofilms)
Generally, an alkaline cleaner(pH 10-14) is going to be more effective on these types of soils. Highly alkaline cleaners are corrosive and require the proper personal protection to use safely. Alkaline burns are particularly dangerous as the effects may not be noticed until well after the product has made contact with human tissue.
Inorganic Soils (Scale, lime , rust, mineral deposits)
Acidic cleaners (pH of 1- 4) are more effective against these types of soils. Acidic cleaners are also corrosive and need to be used with caution.
What About Neutral ?
pH neutral (7-9) means that the product remains non-reactive when it touches a surface (like your skin). Neutral cleaners are an excellent choice for general cleaning and are much safer to use. A good neutral cleaner will be effective against many types of soils. In some cases, an acidic or alkaline cleaner may be needed but stick to neutral whenever possible.
Cleaning Agents
These are what makes the cleaners clean. Here is a list of some of the more common cleaning agents:
Solvents- Dissolves soil and suspends it, allowing it to be carries away. Water was the first solvent.
Surfactants- These are "surface acting ingredients." Surfactants break up soils into smaller pieces. They also reduce surface tension which allows the soils to be washed away.
Penetrating Agents- These agents added to surfactants to improve cleaning performance. Penetrating agents are added to many commercial cleaners to improve foaming , emulsifying, wetting and solubilizing.
Chelating Agents- Hard water can hinder the cleaning ability of a solution. Chelating agents tie up the hardness in water, allowing the surfactants and solvents to do their job.
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