What are common kitchen cleaners?

In the olden days, in India the ashes from the Choolah were applied with a Jute, coal, or brick to scrub the cookware. We have come a long way since. Today, we need cleaners suitable for modern kitchenware.

We need a little understanding of chemistry between the material of the utensils and the cleaners.

Use Acids to clean bare Aluminum, Alkali darken and stain Aluminum

Use Alkali to clean stainless steel. Acids and Chlorides pit and corrode Stainless Steel

Use Oxygen Bleach to clean PTFE nonstick surfaces

Use Acids such as Phosphoric acid to dissolve Lime build up (Hard water), or rust. The cheapest source of mild Phosphoric acid is almost all the pops such as Coke or Pepsi.

One must not mix different cleaning agents as they may cause harm to your health.

Never mix bleach with Ammonia, the mixture creates toxic fumes

Liquid Bleach / Chlorine

The active ingredient is Sodium hypochlorite. This is made by passing Chlorine though a solution of Lye or Quick Lime. It works by releasing oxygen, not chlorine. Chlorine can be released when mixed with an acid.

This product is excellent to remove coffee stains. Also, used as a disinfectant.

This can darken un-coated aluminum cookware and dull porcelain enamel. Chlorides can also pit stainless steel.

Oxygen Bleach

Normally this is a dry powder. When mixed with warm water (125º F), it releases Hydrogen Peroxide. This is gentler than liquid bleach and used to remove stains from Non-stick surface cookware.

Borax

Borax works just like Oxygen bleach by releasing Hydrogen Peroxide. A mild solution, 1 to 2 tablespoons per gallon of warm water may be used to wash sinks, kitchen walls. It retards bacterial growth.

Hydrogen peroxide

You can buy this product in almost any grocery store or a drug store. It is very useful to sanitize produce .

Distilled White Vinegar

Vinegar has acid, and used to clean non stick surface as well as Aluminum cookware.

Tartaric Acid

As the name suggests its an acid suitable to clean non-stick surfaces as well as Aluminum cookware.

Phosphoric Acid

The formulations sold in the store are sold as lime removers, or rust removers.

Baking Soda

Baking Soda is alkaline. It can be used on surfaces that are sensitive to Chlorides such as Stainless Steel and porcelain. It is also used to clean glassware, and as deodorizer

for the refrigerators.

Ammonia

This is alkaline. It can be used to clean windows, ranges, and greasy surfaces. Can be used to clean and shine the stainless steel.

Hand Dishwashing Detergent

These are mild detergents that dissolve dirt and grease in a warm water (120 to 125º F).

Polishes

Stainless steel polish, Silver polish. These are used to polish exterior of cookware and flatware for optimum shine.

Nylon Abrasive Sponge

These are excellent for use with no-stick surface cookware, and counter tops.

Steel Wool Sponge

The finer steel wool (00 coarse) may be used on stainless steel cookware

Stainless Steel Ball Sponge

This is made of 18/8 stainless steel. It can be used on very hard surfaces.