Choosing the Right Cleaning Chemicals for Your Facility
Keeping a facility clean, safe, and hygienic starts with selecting the right cleaning chemicals. Each chemical category is designed for a specific purpose — and using the wrong one can lead to poor cleaning results, damaged surfaces, or wasted product.
This guide breaks down the essentials so you can choose confidently.
1. Understand Your Facility’s Needs
Before selecting chemicals, consider:
- Type of building (office, warehouse, restaurant, retail, industrial)
- Traffic levels
- Surfaces involved (tile, LVP, concrete, stainless steel, washrooms)
- Cleaning frequency
- Regulatory needs (food service, healthcare, etc.)
2. Main Categories of Cleaning Chemicals
A. Disinfectants
Use for eliminating germs, viruses, and bacteria.
Common types:
- Quat-based disinfectants
- Hydrogen peroxide disinfectants
- Accelerated hydrogen peroxide (AHP)
- Bleach-based disinfectants
Choose disinfectants for:
Restrooms, kitchens, high-touch surfaces, healthcare settings.
B. Degreasers
Designed for heavy soil and grease removal in:
- Kitchens
- Industrial floors
- Garages
- Equipment cleaning
High-alkaline degreasers = strong cleaning power.
C. Neutral Cleaners
pH-neutral formulas safe on:
- Floors
- Finished surfaces
- Daily maintenance
Ideal for daily cleaning without damaging coatings.
D. Restroom Cleaners
Includes:
- Bowl cleaners
- Scale removers
- Odor neutralizers
- Acidic cleaners for heavy mineral deposits
3. Choose Chemicals Based on Traffic
Low-traffic facilities (offices, small retail)
→ Neutral cleaners + general disinfectant.
High-traffic facilities (warehouses, malls, gas stations)
→ Strong degreasers + disinfectant + odor control + restroom program.
Food-service environments
→ Food-safe degreasers + sanitizer + non-corrosive cleaners.
4. Use Dilution Control When Possible
Dilution systems:
- Reduce chemical waste
- Increase safety
- Provide consistent cleaning results
- Save cost long-term
5. Final Recommendation
Choose chemicals based on:
- Traffic flow
- Surface type
- Soil level
- Safety requirements
- Efficiency goals
If in doubt, consult Malibu Distribution for tailored recommendations.