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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Abrasion  -- Wearing away by friction. 

Abrasive – A substance used to scour, scrub, smooth or polish.  Abrasive particles are found in such products as cleanser, pumice stones, scouring pads and hand cleaners. 

Accessories – Various tools that may be used in conjunction with cleaning machines and equipment.  i.e. drapery tool on a vacuum cleaner. 

Accrual – an accounting term for the increase over time of expenses incurred by your business. 

Acid --  A water soluble substance with a pH of less than 7 that reacts with and neutralizes an alkali. 

Acid Test Ratio -- also sometime called the Quick Test Ratio Ratio of cash, marketable securities and accounts receivables to current liabilities.  

Acrylic --  Type of polymer in floor finishes. 

Acrylic Styrene --  Type of polymer in blended floor finishes. 

Adhesion --  A necessary component of a floor finish, which cause it to stick to the floor rather than peel, flake or powder off. 

Aerobe – a microorganism that requires air (oxygen for growth). 

Aerosol –  an extremely fine mist or fog consisting of solid or liquid particles suspended in air.  Also, term used for products which mechanically produce such a mist. 

Aging Account Report- the amount of time measured in days that someone has owed you money.  Most companies have 30, 60 and 90 day categories. 

Alcohol –a class of organic compounds containing one or more hydroxyl groups (OH).  Alcohol is used in detergent formulations to control viscosity, to act as a solvent for other ingredients and to provide resistance to low and freezing temperatures. 

Algae – Microscopic single cell plants that contain chlorophyll and require sunlight to live. 

Algaecide – Product which destroys algae. 

Algistat – Product which inhibits algae growth. 

Alkali – A chemical substance with ph greater than 7 that reacts with and neutralizes an acid. 

Alkalinity – is useful in removing acidic, fatty / oily soils.  Soap and soap based products are alkaline and perform well only in an alkaline medium.  Detergent products can be formulated at any level of alkalinity determined by the cleaning task to be performed. 

All Purpose Cleaner – A powder or liquid detergent suitable for both general house cleaning duties and laundry.  These products may not be as effective for specific cleaning jobs as products specially formulated for the task. i.e. stripping off old floor finish. 

Amine -  A class of organic compounds containing nitrogen.  Amines are often used as buffering agents in liquid laundry detergents and as fabric softeners. 

Ammonia – an alkaline gas composed of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH3) 5% to 10% solutions of ammonia are sold as household ammonia.  Ammonia is used to aid in removing grease and dirt from surfaces and to boost the cleaning powers in grease cutters, wax strippers and general purpose soil removers. 

Amortization – The gradual elimination of debt through periodic payments.  Also pertains to the periodic write off and expensing of assets classified as intangible such as patents, copyrights and good will. 

Anionic – Negatively charged part of a molecule.  Anionic surfactants are widely used in high sudsing detergents. 

Antimicrobial – agent which inhibits or destroys bacteria, fungi, protozoa or viruses that are pathogenic. 

Antistatic agent – A substance that reduces static electricity by preventing friction.  Friction causes fabric (especially man made fabrics such as nylon and polyester) to produce static electricity discharge. 

Antiseptic – A chemical agent that prevents or inhibits the growth of microorganism microbes particularly on the skin. 

Antistat- substance which reduces static electricity. 

Appreciation – Increase in the dollar value of an asset over time. 

Articles of Incorporation – A legal document that makes your company a registered legal entity.  Various forms exist. 

Asepsis – Refers to the absences of pathogenic microorganisms. 

Asset – May be cash, receivables, inventory, land, buildings ( tangible assets)  which includes anything your business owns to produce goods, service or revenue. 

Audit – Independent review by a certified public accountant of your business and it’s records to determine whether its financial statements fairly represent the financial reports. 

Autoclave – A steam and disinfectant method for sterilization in hospitals. 

Automatic Scrubber – Labor saving powered floor cleaning machine that dispenses cleaning solution to the floor, scrubs/agitates it and then vacuums it up into a recovery tank. 

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The Pro Industry People

We work in an ever-changing, growing and developing industry.  New terms, products, services are being developed all the time.

The Cleaning Business Terms Defined is on-going project and, as our members and visitors see words or phrases that they feel should be included, we are encouraging them to please submit them. 

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Sincerely,

Ken Galo, Founder of Cleanpeers.com  ken@cleanpeers.com