Alkalis as Cleaning Agents: Uses, Examples and Safety in Housekeeping

By Sumit Manwal, Founder, Hospitality Vacancy

Alkaline cleaners do much of the heavy lifting in hotel housekeeping, especially against grease and kitchen soils. They are also among the chemicals most likely to damage surfaces and skin if used carelessly.

Here is what every housekeeping trainee should know about alkalis.

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Alkalis are used as cleaning agents in the form of liquids and powders. They are particularly useful in the laundry. Very strong alkalis should be used with the utmost caution as they are corrosive and toxic. These are called caustic alkalis. Many alkalis act as bleaches. Caustic soda based cleaning agents are used to clear blocked drains and to clean ovens and other industrial equipment. Ammonia is a strong grease emulsifier and should also be carefully used as it emits strong fumes. It is also added to abrasive formulations. Toilet cleaners to which bleach has been added are very effective. It should be kept in mind that sodium chlorite bleach should never be used with an acidic toilet cleaner, however, as it will release toxic chlorine gas.

The use of alkalis in cleaning is summarized in below table

Acid	pH	Uses
Sodium hydroxide(caustic soda)	14	Removing stubborn grease from ovens and equipment. Clearing blocked drains.
Ammonia	11	Removing stubborn grease.
Sodium carbonate(washing soda)	10	Used as an alkaline builder in synthetic and soapy detergents. Clearing blocked drains.
Sodium perborate	10	Removing stains and whitening due to bleaching action at higher temperatures (above 40o)
Sodium hypochlorite	9	Removing stains and whitening due to bleaching action on various types of surfaces. Acts as disinfectant.
Sodium bicarbonate(baking soda)	8	Removing stubborn grease from smooth, delicate surfaces. Removing stains such as tea,coffee and fruit juice.
Sodium pyroborate (borax) Sodium thiosulphite	8 7	Same as above. Removing iodine stains.

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FAQ

How do alkaline cleaners work?

They break down fats and oils into substances that can be rinsed away with water.

Are strong alkalis safe on all surfaces?

No. Strong alkalis can damage aluminium, some paints, wood and delicate finishes, and can irritate skin. Always check the label and wear gloves.

Your next step

• Students and hotel professionals: Create your free candidate profile on Hospitality Vacancy and browse the latest hotel jobs.
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• Hotels hiring: Register as an employer on Hospitality Vacancy.

Related reading on this blog

• Reagents as Cleaning Agents in Housekeeping
• Water as a Cleaning Agent: Hard Water, Soft Water and Housekeeping
• Abrasives as Cleaning Agents: Types and Precautions

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About the Author

Sumit Manwal is the founder of Hospitality Vacancy (since 2017) and has 20+ years of experience in hospitality. He received the "Excellence in Hospitality Sector of Uttarakhand" award, presented by Shri Dhan Singh Rawat ji (January 2023), and the Dainik Jagran inext Uttarakhand Ratan Samman for Excellence in Hospitality & Education, presented by Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari ji (2023). He helps hotels build reliable teams and professionals grow their careers.

📧 Contact: manwal@hospitalityvacancy.com | 🔗 LinkedIn

SUMIT MANWAL