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Cleaning in General
How it Works
At its most basic, cleaning is the combination of friction, chemical effect,
and time. Friction is the rubbing action, and chemical effect is usually
a solution of soap or detergent added to water to reduce its surface tension.
The jet spray action of a dishwasher is less friction than washing by
hand, so there needs to be a stronger chemical effect for the dishes to
get clean. Scrubbing a pot with something abrasive is more friction, so
the detergent can be gentler. However, if the pot soaks for a while there
is generally less need for scrubbing or lots of soap because time comes
to the rescue.
The Two Basic Questions
There are two questions to ask before tackling any unfamiliar cleaning
job. The first one is: what kind of dirt needs to be removed, and the
second is: what surface am I removing it from? Planning the approach requires
a combined knowledge of the properties of both. Blood on a cotton shirt
is different from blue/green scum on a shower stall, or tarnish on a silver
spoon. The cleaning product must not only remove the offending substance,
it must do no harm to the surface it is on. With most any stain it is
important to act as quickly as possible. Don't let it soak into whatever
it is on, and don't let it dry.
The Role of Time - Then and Now
Time is a terrific helpmate, but often overlooked in our busy lives. Our
relationship to time is the major difference between our grandmother's
lives and ours when it comes to housework. Like us, these women may have
felt there weren't enough hours in the day, but few of them considered
that they were stealing time to get their housework done-it was built
into the plan. Since it was understood that the women kept houses clean
there wasn't an ambivalence about responsibility; for good or for bad,
the boundaries were clear and usually the work got done in good order.
Since their helpers were the younger females, training was incremental
and comprehensive, insuring the next generation of housekeepers and clean
houses.
Ultimate Responsibility
The world of household cleaning has changed dramatically in the last 30
years. These days many women work outside the home, the man of the house
often pitches in with the cleaning, and kids are usually expected to help
out. But no matter the outcome of negotiations with household members, "the
woman of the house" is usually responsible for the order and cleanliness
of home. Since time is often at a premium, guess who sometimes compromises
her standards or does the work herself?
Product vs. Skill
Advertisers have played this up to promote all sorts of new and improved
products by focusing on their time saving qualities They urge folks to
replace product for skill which can be alluring to people who weren't
really taught to clean. Many youngsters have grown up in households with
dishwashers and don't actually know how to wash dishes by hand. Folks
who regularly hire help to clean while everyone is away at work or school
don't have a sense of how to keep up with bathroom grunge, cat hair, or
dirty windows.
Potential Product Consequences
The truth is that some of these "wonder products" do make cleaning
up easier for people who haven't learned the techniques of the work, but
there are often hidden prices to pay which can be very costly to our health
and that of the world around us. Most of these cleaning products are super
concentrated and include chemicals not invented a generation ago, so their
effects are just beginning to be been tested and documented. Therefore,
it is important for consumers to stay informed enabling them to make informed
choices.
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