Washing agents—chemical substances intended for washing, cleaning, removing stains, dirt, grease, bacteria and other contaminants from various surfaces or materials.
The products are used in household cleaning, laundry, personal hygiene, industrial cleaning, and surface disinfection, including in particular the healthcare sector.
Depending on the purpose, washing agents are characterised by a specific pH. Preparations that remove hard water or rust are usually acidic. Neutral products with a pH around 7 show the most delicate action, which is why they are often found, e.g. in mild universal cleaning agents. Alkaline cleaners (with alkaline pH) are good at removing fat, oils, and proteins; they include bleaches and ammonia.
