Cleaning agents or hard-surface cleaners are substances (usually liquids, powders, sprays, or granules) used to remove dirt, including dust, stains, foul odors, and clutter on surfaces.[1] Purposes of cleaning agents include health, beauty, removing offensive odors, and avoiding the spread of dirt and contaminants to oneself and others. Some cleaning agents can kill bacteria (e.g. door handle bacteria, as well as bacteria on worktops and other metallic surfaces) and clean at the same time. Others, called degreasers, contain organic solvents to help dissolve oils and fats.[2]
- ^ Christian Nitsch; Hans-Joachim Heitland; Horst Marsen; Hans-Joachim Schlüussler (2005). "Cleansing Agents". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a07_137. ISBN 3-527-30673-0.
- ^ Wisniewski, Karen (2007). "All-Purpose Cleaners and their Formulation". In Tsoler, Uri (ed.). Handbook of detergents, Part 2. Surfactant science series. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-57444-757-6.