JSS 1
HOME ECONOMICS
TOPIC: PRODUCTION OF CLEANING AGENTS, DEODORANT AND COSMETICS.
CLEANING AGENTS
Cleaning agents are substances or materials used to remove surface dust and surfaces. There are two groups of cleaning agents:
i. Commercial cleaning agents which are those that are commercially prepared.
ii. Home made cleaning agents: made from local raw materials in the home.
Commercial cleaning agents, they include
1. Solvent: solvents are substances which are used to remove dirt or soil by liquefying it and holding it in suspension e.g water, organic solvents such as paraffin, turpentine, methylated spirits, benzenamyl acetate, acetone, carbon tetrachloride and petrol. These are grease solvents and act by dissolving grease, evaporating and carrying the dirt with them. Grease solvent should not be used near naked fire because they are highly inflammable.
2. Soap and synthetic detergent which can emulsify grease and enable it to be washed away along with dirt it held
3. Abrasives:- Abrasives cleaners act by rubbing off, or wearing away or abrainding dirt or soil by friction. Examples are steel wool, copper and other metal sponges.
4. Bleaches:- bleaches most commonly used are those in the chlorine and sodium parborate groups.
5. Waxes of different farms and brands
6. Polishes: There are different types of furniture and floor polishes.
Local cleaning agents:
They include
1. starch powder: Dry starch powder can be used to remove spills of tea or milk on carpets and rugs
2. Chalk powder or pasted (nzu) can be used just like starch powder.
3. Fine sand can be used as an abrasive for cleaning pots, stained cement floor etc. It should not be used on smooth surfaces such as aluminum and polished or painted wood.
4.Edo powder: Suitable for cleaning ornaments such as gold and brass. It impacts a golden appearance on gold plated jewelry.
Other local cleaning agents are grand China, egg- shell powder, ground charcoal, paw – paw leaves, local sand – paper leaves etc.
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