Housekeeping Channel - For the Home You Keep.  The Resource for Better, Faster, Healthier Housekeeping.
Forgot your password?
My House USER NAME
PASSWORD
REMEMBER ME

Follow us on Twitter

 

HC-Pedia Entry

Water

Options

Email to a Friend Email to a Friend
Print Print
Bookmark Bookmark

Related Topics

Water is the universal solvent. Without water, we’d be hard pressed to remove soils from laundry, upholstery, carpets, rugs and furnishings, not to mention household surfaces such as counters and flooring. Water dilutes many of the chemicals used in the cleaning process to levels that are safe and effective. In most tasks, water carries away soil for disposal.

 

entry continues below ↓

In some cleaning tasks, carpeting and upholstery are chief examples, water is the best first choice when attempting to get rid of spots or soils. Applied in the right quantity, at the right time, and on a suitable surface, H2O will remove a surprising amount of dirt.

Water by itself is not as good a cleaning agent as water with added surfactants such as soap or detergent.

Additionally, hard water contains dissolved mineral salts, which inhibit the action of soap. The harder the water, the more likely it is to leave behind residue in clothing, and difficult-to-remove soap scum on bathroom and kitchen surfaces.

Detergents not only act as surfactants, but contain builders that solve the mineral problem.

 

 

Water:  Created on November 3rd, 2009.  Last Modified on November 3rd, 2009

 

References listed above credit sources The Housekeeping Channel consulted for background or additional information.

All HC-PediaTM content is © 2005-2024 The Housekeeping Channel.

Except for third-party copyrighted material, you may freely use, excerpt or cite this material provided The Housekeeping Channel receives credit and the Web address www.housekeepingchannel.com is plainly listed with all uses, excerpts or citations.