Why choose a neutral floor cleaner?

When it comes to floor cleaning, you may have always used the same product and perhaps even bought it in bulk supply for ease, without really considering if there is a more suitable product you could be using.
You may not even be aware that there are alternative, neutral floor cleaning products that are kinder and safer, but still working as an effective floor cleaner.

What is a neutral floor cleaner?

A neutral floor cleaner is a mild but effective cleaning solution with a pH level of around 7, meaning it is suitable for use on various floor types without causing any damage. Neutral floor cleaning products are formulated with a pH level between 6 and 8, meaning that whilst it is gentle enough to not cause damage to more delicate floor surfaces, it can still be used regularly in both domestic and commercial environments.

Why are pH levels significant for cleaning chemicals?

Cleaning products will all have a pH level, with the pH scale ranging from 0 to 15. Products with a pH level between 0 and 6 are classed as acidic, and those ranging from 8 to 15 are alkaline. In between these are what is considered to be a neutral cleaning product. Acidic and Alkaline cleaners both have their place in the cleaning cupboard. Acidic products are harsher and more effective at removing mineral deposits such as limescale, tackling rust and soap residue. At the other end of the pH scale, the alkaline products include bleach, ammonia and are particularly corrosive – often removing organic residues such as oils, fats, grease and stubborn grime build-up.

What are the disadvantages of using an acidic or alkaline floor cleaner?

As we’ve mentioned above, both acidic and alkaline cleaning products have their advantages. However, due to the harsh chemicals in the formulation, they can be corrosive with the potential to irritate skin, damage surfaces and release toxic fumes. Using these products incorrectly could results in harm to both health and materials, creating a health and safety risk you could avoid.
Users are advised to wear appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, and ensure there is good ventilation so that any strong VOCs (volatile Organic Compounds) released from the product are not breathed in. Flooring and surfaces can be damaged, and therefore these products are not always suitable for every day use and should be avoided on certain materials and surfaces.

What are the benefits of using a neutral floor cleaner?

As we’ve mentioned in this article, neutral floor cleaners are milder and therefore safer to use than some acidic or alkaline products, whilst still performing effectively.

Here’s a summary of the benefits of using a neutral floor cleaner:

• Kind to skin – Due to the pH level being so neutral, it is not harmful to skin. This means that it isn’t likely to irritate skin or cause any adverse reactions, making it much safer and kinder to use.
• No surface damage – Neutral floor cleaners are kind to surfaces, meaning they won’t harm materials they encounter – keeping your flooring protected from damage whilst cleaning it.
• Avoids Permanent Bleach Staining – If any spillages occur, the risk of any damage to furniture and flooring surfaces is mitigated by using a neutral cleaning product. If using a bleach-based product, you would immediately see a stain, whereas a neutral product can be wiped up without causing any permanent damage.
• Safe to use on natural surfaces – when using a neutral floor cleaner, you do not have the worry of tarnishing, staining, or damaging your surfaces. If the surface is safe to use water on, you can also use a neutral floor cleaner on it.
• Protects floor surfaces - Acidic and Alkaline cleaners risk ruining the finish on your flooring, due to the fact they are corrosive and often used as floor stripper. With a neutral floor cleaner, you can clean your flooring without the risk of damaging the finish.
• Safe for use on polished and delicate flooring – neutral floor cleaner is designed with delicate surfaces in mind, so they can be cleaned effectively without being damaged.
• No Residue – Neutral floor cleaners can be easily rinsed, meaning little to no residue is left behind. This means you won’t have sticky or slippery floors after cleaning.
• Easy to use – Neutral floor cleaners require no specialist preparation. For example, the soluCLEAN Neutral floor cleaner from phs Direct is sold in convenient single-use soluble sachets. Simply place a sachet into a bucket of water and it will dissolve, releasing the concentrated cleaning solution. Or, we can supply the same neutral product for use with a scrubber drier machine. The soluCLEAN neutral floor cleaner is also packed in a resealable, compostable pouch, which can make up to 50 5Litre mop bucket solutions. Each pouch can save an average of 200g of single-use plastic compared to conventional concentrated floor cleaning products. 

Browse our range of floorcare chemicals on the phs Direct website, plus see our full range of cleaning equipment to support the use of the neutral floor cleaner.