"Active Ingredients" section or look for Besides active ingredients, cleaning products

chemical names in the ingredient list. Here are contain other ingredients that help improve
some common active ingredients found in performance, stability, scent, or appearance.
household cleaning products: Here are some common ones and their
1. Disinfectants & Antibacterial Cleaners purposes:
• Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) – Kills 1. Surfactants (Surface-Active Agents)
bacteria, viruses, and fungi. • Purpose: Help remove dirt, grease, and
• Hydrogen Peroxide – A disinfectant and stains by breaking down oils and
stain remover. suspending them in water.
• Ethanol or Isopropyl Alcohol – Kills germs • Examples: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS),
and evaporates quickly. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES),
• Benzalkonium Chloride – Used in Cocamidopropyl Betaine.
antibacterial wipes and sprays.
• Phenolic Compounds (e.g., O- Foam is a mass of tiny bubbles formed when a
phenylphenol) – Found in hospital-grade gas (usually air) is trapped in a liquid or solid. In
disinfectants. cleaning products, foam is created when
2. All-Purpose Cleaners surfactants (like sodium lauryl sulfate) reduce
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – A surfactant the surface tension of water, allowing air to mix
that helps lift dirt. in and form bubbles.
• Ammonia – Cuts grease and shines glass 2. Solvents
surfaces. • Purpose: Help dissolve ingredients, improve
• Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) – A degreaser cleaning power, and evaporate quickly.
and stain remover. • Examples: Isopropyl Alcohol, Ethanol,
3. Glass Cleaners Glycol Ethers (e.g., Butoxyethanol).
• Ammonium Hydroxide (Ammonia) – 3. pH Adjusters
Provides a streak-free shine. • Purpose: Control the acidity or alkalinity of
• Isopropyl Alcohol – Helps dissolve oils and the cleaner to optimize effectiveness.
dries fast. • Examples: Citric Acid (lowers pH), Sodium
4. Laundry Detergents Hydroxide (raises pH), Ammonia.
• Surfactants (e.g., Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, 4. Enzymes
Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate) – Breaks • Purpose: Break down specific types of
down dirt and grease. stains (proteins, fats, starches).
• Enzymes (Protease, Lipase, Amylase) – • Examples:
Break down stains like proteins, fats, and o Protease (for protein stains like
starches. blood, eggs)
• Sodium Percarbonate (Oxygen Bleach) – o Lipase (for fat and oil stains)
Brightens whites and removes stains. o Amylase (for starch stains)
5. Dishwashing Liquids 5. Chelating Agents (Water Softeners)
• Surfactants (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium • Purpose: Bind minerals in hard water to
Laureth Sulfate) – Removes grease. improve cleaning efficiency.
• Citric Acid – Helps break down mineral • Examples: EDTA
deposits and food residues. (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid), Sodium
• Chlorine-based Compounds (in dishwasher Citrate, Phosphates.
detergents) – Provides deep cleaning. 6. Thickeners & Stabilizers
6. Toilet Cleaners • Purpose: Improve texture, prevent
• Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) – Removes tough separation of ingredients, and enhance
stains, rust, and limescale. application.
• Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) – Disinfects • Examples: Xanthan Gum, Cellulose, Silica.
and removes odors. 7. Preservatives
7. Floor & Surface Cleaners • Purpose: Prevent bacteria and mold growth
• Glycol Ethers (e.g., Butoxyethanol) – Cuts in liquid products.
grease and dissolves stains. • Examples: Parabens, Sodium Benzoate,
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats) Methylisothiazolinone.
– Provides antibacterial action. 8. Fragrances & Dyes
• Purpose: Provide a pleasant smell and color
to enhance appeal.
 • Examples: Limonene (citrus scent), Linalool
(floral scent), Artificial Dyes (like Blue 1,
Yellow 5)
Primary
Secondary
Product Type Ingredient
Ingredients
(Active)
Sodium
Water (dilution),
Bleach Hypochlorite
Fragrance
(disinfects)
Ammonia
Glass Alcohol (quick
(removes
Cleaner drying), Colorants
grease)
Surfactants
Laundry Enzymes
(foam),
Detergent (remove stains)
Preservatives
Hydrochloric Thickeners (cling
Toilet Cleaner Acid (removes to surfaces),
limescale) Fragrances
Citric Acid (breaks
Dishwashing Surfactants (cut
down minerals),
Liquid grease)
Dyes

Primary vs. Secondary Ingredients in Cleaning

Products
1. Primary Ingredients (Active Ingredients)
• These are the main ingredients responsible
for the product's cleaning, disinfecting, or
stain-removal effects.
• They directly target dirt, grease, bacteria, or
stains.
• Example: Sodium Hypochlorite in bleach
(kills germs), Protease in laundry detergent
(breaks down protein stains).
2. Secondary Ingredients (Inactive Ingredients)
• These ingredients support or enhance the
effectiveness of the primary ingredients but
do not perform the main cleaning action.
• They help with stability, texture, fragrance,
or pH balance.
• Example: Fragrances (for a pleasant smell),
Thickeners (to improve consistency),
Preservatives (to extend shelf life).
NAME : _______________________________ Other Ingredients in Cleaning Products
9. What is the main function of surfactants in
cleaning products?
CHOOSE THE LETTER OF THE BEST ANSWER. a) Kill bacteria
Active Ingredients in Cleaning Products b) Remove grease and dirt
1. Which of the following is the active c) Neutralize acids
ingredient in bleach that disinfects d) Add fragrance
surfaces? 10. Which of these is a solvent that helps
a) Ammonia dissolve grease in cleaning agents?
b) Sodium Hypochlorite a) Butoxyethanol
c) Citric Acid b) Sodium Citrate
d) Sodium Bicarbonate c) EDTA
2. Which ingredient is commonly found in d) Linalool
antibacterial wipes and sprays? 11. Which ingredient is commonly used as a pH
a) Benzalkonium Chloride adjuster to lower acidity in cleaning
b) Citric Acid products?
c) Sodium Percarbonate a) Sodium Hydroxide
d) Trisodium Phosphate b) Citric Acid
3. Which of these chemicals is commonly used c) EDTA
in glass cleaners for a streak-free shine? d) Lipase
a) Glycol Ether 12. What is the purpose of chelating agents in
b) Hydrochloric Acid cleaning products?
c) Ammonia a) Make the product foam
d) Protease b) Prevent water hardness minerals from
4. Which active ingredient is commonly found interfering with cleaning
in oxygen bleach? c) Add color to the cleaner
a) Sodium Hypochlorite d) Act as a thickener
b) Sodium Percarbonate 13. Which of these is a common thickening
c) Hydrochloric Acid agent in liquid cleaning products?
d) Ethanol a) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
5. What is the main ingredient in hydrogen b) Xanthan Gum
peroxide cleaners that helps kill bacteria? c) Benzalkonium Chloride
a) Ammonia d) Hydrogen Peroxide
b) H₂O₂ 14. What is the main role of preservatives in
c) Benzalkonium Chloride cleaning agents?
d) Sodium Citrate a) Kill germs
6. Which ingredient is commonly used in toilet b) Prevent bacterial growth in the
bowl cleaners to remove rust and product
limescale? c) Enhance color
a) Hydrochloric Acid d) Help with grease removal
b) Sodium Bicarbonate 15. Which of the following is a fragrance
c) Protease compound used in cleaning products?
d) Ammonia a) Limonene
7. Which of the following is an enzyme used in b) Citric Acid
laundry detergents to break down protein c) Butoxyethanol
stains? d) EDTA
a) Lipase 16. Which ingredient is responsible for breaking
b) Amylase down starch stains in laundry detergents?
c) Protease a) Amylase
d) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate b) Lipase
8. Which type of disinfectant is often found in c) Protease
hospital-grade cleaners? d) Sodium Bicarbonate
a) Isopropyl Alcohol 17. What is the function of glycol ethers in
b) Phenolic Compounds cleaning products?
c) Citric Acid a) Provide a pleasant scent
d) EDTA b) Act as solvents to dissolve stains and
 grease
c) Neutralize acids 24. Which of these is a secondary ingredient in
d) Prevent bacterial growth laundry detergent?
General Cleaning Chemistry a)Protease (enzyme for stain removal)
18. Why are phosphates like Trisodium b) Benzalkonium Chloride (antibacterial
Phosphate (TSP) used in cleaning agents? agent)
a) They help break down grease and oils c) Fragrance
b) They act as preservatives d) Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach)
c) They adjust the pH of the product
d) They add fragrance 25. Which ingredient in glass cleaners is a
19. What is the purpose of Sodium Hydroxide in primary ingredient?
cleaning products? a)Ammonia
a) Acts as a thickener b) Colorants
b) Removes acidic stains and adjusts pH c) Preservatives
c) Provides a fresh scent d) Thickeners
d) Destroys bacteria
20. Which ingredient in cleaning products can
help break down fats and oils in stains?
a) Lipase
b) Amylase
c) Sodium Citrate
d) EDTA

Primary vs. Secondary Ingredients in cleaning

products:
21. What is the main difference between
primary and secondary ingredients in
cleaning products?
a) Primary ingredients provide color, while
secondary ingredients do the cleaning
b) Primary ingredients perform the
main cleaning action, while
secondary ingredients support the
formula.
c) Secondary ingredients remove dirt,
while primary ingredients add
fragrance.
d) There is no difference; they serve the
same purpose.

22. Which of the following is a primaryingredient

in bleach?
a)Water
b) Sodium Hypochlorite
c) Fragrance
d) Thickening Agents

23. What is the purpose of secondary

ingredients in cleaning products?
a)They kill bacteria and remove dirt.
b) They improve texture, stability, and
scent.
c) They work better than primary
ingredients.
d) They only serve as a filler with no real
function.