Water cleans up in wiping dirt away

As I sit here looking out our living room window, watching it snow, I'm amazedhow complex water really is.

This precious substance covers three-quarters of the Earth's surface, is necessary to sustain every form of life we know, and we sure couldn't do without it in cleaning. It is a universal solvent — it can dissolve a wide range of soils, unaided by other chemicals. We can easily add chemicals to it so that it has the ability to penetrate and dissolve additional soils. It holds dissolved soil — in suspenion during the cleaning process, until we flush or wipe it away.

The type of water used, however, will make a huge differnce. Hard water diminshes the power of soap and detergents. It causes clothing to become dingy and causes rings around the bath tub. It causes plumbing fixtures to collect scum.

Hot water is much more effective for cleaning than cold water, especially if it can be kept hot. The heat helps to break down the fats and oils that collect in dirt and grime. There are chemicals that have been designed to be effective in cold water, however, they usually are more expensive to use.

Wetting agents are chemicals that enhance the ability of a liquid to wet a surface. The surfactant is soap and detergents are wetting agents. Among other things they lower the surface tension of water, allowing it to penetrate oil. Without wetting agents added, water beads up, especially on oily soils. Agents used in car washes that achieve a streak-free surface are wetting agents.

If you are allergic to any of the above products, please don't use them. Always test fabric and paints before using any chemical compounds. Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, please call Ed at 255-2266 or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Ed Madan, certified executive housekeeper, Northwest Environmental Services, specializing in commercial, residential and disaster cleaning.