Glossary Of Carpet Cleaning Terms
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Calcium Carbonate
An inorganic compound that occurs naturally as chalk and limestone. Its very slight solubility in water is a chief cause of “hardness” in water.
Catalyst
an element or compound that accelerates the rate of a chemical reaction but is neither neither changed nor consumed by it.
Cation
An ion with a positive charge, formed when an atom loses electrons in a reaction. The atom now has more protons than electrons.
Cationic Surfactant
A surfactant with a positively charged ionic group. The most common cationic surfactants are known as quaternary ammonium compounds such as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. These are widely used as disinfectants and sanitizers.
Caustic
Strong alkaline substance which irritates the skin.
Ceramic Tile
Clay tile with an impervious, usually glossy, layer on the surface.
Chelating Agent
An organic sequestering agent used to inactivate hard water and other metallic ions in water. Additives in detergents for inactivating the minerals in water that interfere with cleaning. Ingredients include ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), NTA and sodium citrate.
Chemical Reaction
Any change which alters the chemical properties of a substance or which forms a new substance. During a chemical reaction, products are formed from reactants.
Chemical Symbol
A shorthand way of representing an element in formula and equations. Sodium Chloride is represented in chemical symbols by NaCl (Na is Sodium and Cl is Chlorine).
Chemistry
The study of substances. What they are made of and how they work. It is divided into three main branches — physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry.
Chlorinated Solvents
An organic solvent that contains chlorine atoms as part of the molecular structure. Examples include methylene chloride and trichloroethylene.
Chlorine Bleach
A group of strong oxidizing agents commonly sold in an approximately 5% solution of sodium hypochlorite. Care should be taken to never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or hydrochloric acid.
Cleaning
Cleaning is locating, identifying, containing, removing and disposing of unwanted substances (pollutants) from the environment. It is our most powerful means of managing our immediate surrounding and protecting our health.
Cleanser
A powdered or liquid cleaning product containing abrasives, surfactants and frequently a bleach.
Cloud Point
The temperature at which a surfactant becomes insoluble in water. This becomes important when designing detergents for use in hot water.
Coagulation
An irreversible process in which a number of emulsion droplets coalesce, leading to complete separation of the emulsion.
Colloid
A type of solution in which the particles are not dissolved but are dispersed throughout the solvent or medium and held in suspension.
Compatibility
The ability of two or more substances to mix without objectionable changes in their physical or chemical properties.
Compound
A combination of two or more elements, bonded together in some way. It has different physical and chemical properties from the elements it is made of. Compounds are often difficult to split into their elements and can only be separated by chemical reactions.
Concrete
A mixture of sand, gravel, Portland cement and water that forms a very hard surface when dry. It is one of the most common floor types found in buildings. Other types of floors like vinyl and vinyl composition tile are often laid over the top of concrete.
Corrosion Inhibitor
A material that protects against the wearing away of surfaces. Sodium silicate is a corrosion inhibitor commonly used in detergents.
Critical Micelle Concentration
The concentration of a surfactant in solution at which the molecules begin to form aggregates called micelles while the concentration of surfactant in solution remains constant.
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