Industrial-grade equipment requires industrial-grade cleaning supplies to keep it in top-notch condition. High-quality industrial maintenance and commercial cleaning chemicals have been scientifically formulated to deliver significant performance benefits, improving the speed and efficiency of many cleaning and maintenance activities.
Unlike regular cleaning supplies, these products offer superior performance and are capable of heavy-duty, large-scale jobs. Industrial cleaning supplies can include detergents, sanitizers and disinfectants, air hygiene and ventilation biocides, solvent cleaners, descalers, shower head cleaners, engineering pre-commission cleaners, oil dispersants, quick break self-emulsifying cleaners and more.
Here is a breakdown of some the most common industrial cleaning supplies:
1. Heavy-duty detergent
Industrial-grade detergent is usually an alkaline powder that can remove oil, grease, carbon, rust, and paint. It is a technically advanced industrial cleaning product that has a detergent type action, penetrating the surface film and mechanically lifting deposits from the underlying sound material, breaking them up and dispersing them into the body of the solution.
As the cleaning operation of this high-performance product is a surface action, it ceases as soon as the base material is clean, eliminating the risk of dissolution or pitting of the base metal.
2. Solvent cleaner for electronics
Solvent cleaners typically consist of a highly refined hydrocarbon solvent approved for safe use in working environment. It’s important to look for industrial cleaning supplies that are safe for the environment and doesn’t contain any ozone depleting solvents.
Generally, solvent cleaners offer good compatibility and will not soften or dull plastic or painted surfaces. You can use solvent cleaners by spraying, brushing or wiping onto the subject surface and finishing with an absorbent lint-free cloth or disposable wiper. They are great for cleaning equipment in offices and commercial buildings.
3. General purpose cleaner and detergent
Less intense than its heavy-duty counterpart, general purpose cleaner and detergent is specially formulated with oil dispersants and grease killing compounds. In has a wide range of applications, including oil field, marine and off-shore, aviation, food processing and municipal applications.
A general-purpose cleaner will be suitable for most surfaces and safe in fire risk areas. It’s best to look for industrial cleaning supplies that are biologically degradable and free from caustic alkali.
4. Scale remover
Scale removers are designed to be able to clean metals efficiently without causing any excessive corrosion. Typically formulated from a blend of citric acid and wetting agents, scale removers are often used to remove iron and copper oxides in heat exchangers and boilers. Most scale removers are available as a convenient liquid product that will be used in various doses depending on the amount and type of deposit in the system.
5. Closed system dispersant and cleaner
Closed system cleaners are typically formulated using a synergistic blend of neutralised phosphonates and polymeric dispersants and work in both chilled and hot water loops. They are designed to target corrosion products and silt from closed systems without causing excessive corrosion during the cleaning process. These industrial cleaning supplies are generally safe to use with any metal frequently used in hot or cold water loops. Dosage varies but pH should be kept neutral while cleaning.
6. Acid descaler
Hydrochloric acid descalers contain a special film forming inhibitor that works to protect carbon steel, copper and brass against acid attack. These descalers are generally very high-performance due to the fact that they contain a penetrant or dispersant to make them more effective. They also have the ability to dissolve lime scale and other deposits, making them idea for boiler, calorifiers and heat exchangers.
7. Oil spill dispersant
Industrial oil dispersant is scientifically formulated for the treatment and clean-up of oil spills in marine environments, at sea and on sand and pebble beaches. Due to the sensitive nature of the environments they are used in, these products are designed to be highly effective and to work rapidly. There are specific regulations about how they should be used, and a licensing agency should be consulted in advance.
8. Cleaner for closed heating and cooling systems
Cleaner for closed heating and closed cooling systems is designed to remove mill scale, swarf and building debris. They are usually a chelant and polymer-based cleaning agent developed to efficiently remove iron and scale deposits.
Dosing will be done according to system volume and the product should be allowed to circulate for several hours before draining from the lowest point in the system. This is an ideal product for building service engineers and plumbers to have on hand.
9. Shower head cleaner
Shower head cleaner are a specific and highly useful product. They are usually a biocide disinfectant and descaler with indicator dye, scientifically formulated for the regular cleaning and disinfection of showers and shower heads.
These are handy industrial cleaning supplies because they offer an all-in-one acid cleaner for shower and shower head and also act a powerful disinfectant. They will ensure the shower continues functions at an optimum level and usually contain easy to use visual indicator dye.
