GLOSSARY

Abrasive cleaning products contain fine gritty particles or other materials that enable better cleaning. Abrasive elements are found in toothpastes, cleansers, and scrubbing pads. Generally-speaking, the mildest abrasive that will do the job is the best one. Moistened baking soda paste is one example of an abrasive cleanser with low impact to surfaces (test first). Scrub pads are color-coded by level of abrasiveness; light colored pads are the gentlest, whereas dark colors are more aggressive.

ATP — Adenosine triphosphate
CDC — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
C. diff — Clostridium difficile
HAI — Healthcare-associated infection
HEPA — High-Efficiency Particulate Air
MRSA — Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
PPE — Personal protective equipment
SOP — Standard operating procedure
SDS — Safety data sheet

Acids have lower pH (see graphic) and are effective at removing alkaline deposits such as minerals, versus alkaline cleaners like detergents that are effective at removing acidic soil such as grease or oils that contain fatty acids.

Alkaline or base substances fall on the opposite end of the pH spectrum, and therefore help neutralize acids, including the fatty acids in grease and oils, thus helping to remove greasy or oily residue. Examples include sodium hydroxide (lye or caustic soda), trisodium phosphate (TSP), and alkaline detergents.

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is the ability of machines or non-living things to do tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as solving problems, communicating, interacting, and making decisions.

Systems that provide automatic controls for dilution and preparation of cleaning or disinfectant solutions. These systems replace the need for manually measuring a quantity of cleaning or disinfectant products and water. (CDC)

Bacterial Enzymes are the sanitation workers of the natural world: they eat (breakdown and digest) organic material such as leaves, fecal and urine waste from animals and humans, vomit and other unwanted matter. There are two forms, 1) harvested enzymes, e.g., those found in laundry detergents and, 2) living bacterial spores that continue to produce enzymes that eat soils given a little moisture and the right conditions. These bio cleaners work well in keeping drains unclogged and in reducing slippery oils on kitchen floors and in grout.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a mildly alkaline (base) but gentle abrasive that can help with cleaning fiberglass and Formica without scratching when moistened with water and applied with a light touch. It also deodorizes partly due to its ability to neutralize fatty acid-based VOCs released by decaying foods and other substances. The common practice of opening a box of baking soda and placing it in the fridge has merit, although exposed surface area is key to its ability to contact odorous gases; so it may make sense to spread it around.

Bacterial biofilms excrete a slimy, glue-like substance (extracellular polymeric substances, called the biofilm matrix) that facilitates attachment to many hard surfaces such as glass, metals, and plastics. The substance embeds bacteria with protection from dehydration and other environmental stresses, and can interfere with the action of chemical disinfectants. [Source: EPA]

“Biomimicry is about valuing nature for what we can learn, not what we can extract, harvest, or domesticate. In the process, we learn about ourselves, our purpose, and our connection to each other and our home on Earth” – Biomimicry Institute

Bioremediation is the use of microbes to clean up contamination. It stimulates the growth of certain microbes that use contaminants as a source of food and energy. (EPA)

Brass is a copper and zinc alloy that tarnishes easily unless coated with lacquer. Clean lacquered brass with a pH neutral cleaner, and avoid abrasives. Restore the shine on unlacquered brass using a cream polish along with good ventilation.

Bronze is an alloy made up of copper, tin, and other metals. Though it resists corrosion better than brass, it can be cleaned, polished and lacquered like brass.

Calcium carbonate is found in hard water and produces mineral build up or scale on fixtures. Acidic products such as white vinegar help remove it. Go with the least toxic approach first (e.g., applying, reapplying and/or soaking in white vinegar) before moving up to harsher acids.

The physical removal of foreign material (e.g., dust, soil) and organic material (e.g., blood, secretions, excretions, microorganisms). Cleaning physically removes rather than kills microorganisms. It is accomplished with water, detergents, airflow and mechanical action. (CDC)

A dedicated cart or trolley that carries environmental cleaning supplies and equipment, in addition to bags or bins for soiled materials, such as laundry, for disposal or reprocessing. (CDC)

The time a disinfectant must be in contact with a surface to ensure disinfection has occurred. For most disinfectants, the surface should remain wet for a required contact time. (CDC)

Diatomaceous Earth consists of the silica cell walls or tiny shells of microscopic life forms called diatoms and serves as a nontoxic scouring powder or abrasive.

Chemical compounds that inactivate (i.e., kill) pathogens and other microbes. Disinfectants are applied only to inanimate objects. Organic material and soil must be removed by cleaning before application of disinfectants. Some products combine a cleaner with a disinfectant. (CDC)

A thermal or chemical process for inactivating microorganisms on inanimate objects. (CDC)

Stay away from strong alkaline or acidic products, and use the least hazardous way first, such as plungers and plumbers’ snakes. When hair clogs drains, use a “zip-strip” type product as shown (ZipItClean). It snags hair and pulls out a “plug” of it. Add microbial enzymes periodically to the drain, and let microbes eat/enzymes dissolve clogging organic matter; a process known as bioremediation.

Sometimes we treat drain odor by pouring chemicals down the drain, but a better, healthier solution is to add water to the P-Trap to block odors from traveling up the pipe and into the restroom. Just pour a gallon of water down the drain.

A tool for removing dust from a surface. A dampened microfiber cloth makes a good duster as it has enormous entrapment area to hold onto fine particles.

Combining two liquids that normally do not mix well into a colloidal suspension. Oily soils are broken down through emulsification using surfactants then removed with the cleaning solution.


An emulsion is a mixture of two liquids that do not normally mix (e.g., oil and water) through surface-acting agents (aka, surfactants); e.g., a surfactant in detergent breaks down and emulsifies oil, suspending it as tiny droplets in solution for removal.

Exhaust fans all serve a common purpose: to push stale, contaminated air out and pull fresher air in.

Given their role in indoor health, it is important to keep pre-filters and fan blades clean to lessen motor wear and maintain performance.

Be sure to turn the system off before cleaning.

Schedule cleaning metal pre-filters and fans based on usage and soil buildup.

Most commercial kitchen pre-filters are removable and can be soaked in a hot detergent solution.

Some fan blades can be removed for cleaning and some require cleaning in place. If yours are the latter type, wipe the blades first with a damp microfiber towel moistened with a hot detergent solution; then, if needed, shield the motor and spray the blades with the solution, wipe dry, then run the fans for final drying.

According to Dr. Carol Dweck, the growth mindset is the idea that people can improve their abilities through hard work, learning, and perseverance. This mindset encourages a passion for learning, a resilience in the face of obstacles, and a confidence in the power of effort.

A healthcare-acquired infection (HAI) — aka, a nosocomial infection from the Greek word for hospital — is one you get in a healthcare facility and may be transmitted by staff, patients, contaminated air, equipment, surfaces, bed linens and other sources.


Integrated Cleaning and Measurement (ICM) is an open-source, product-neutral framework in which best practices are defined by scientific measurement of cleaning outcomes and continuous improvement. A recurring theme within ICM is the development of a system with a specific aim, for as Dr. W. Edwards Deming said: “A system is a network of interdependent components that work together to try to accomplish the aim of the system … A system must have an aim. Without an aim, there is no system.” The overarching aim of an ICM system is to clean better. (Source: IEHA)

A soft stone with a rating of three on the Mohs Hardness Scale (diamonds are 10), marble is easily scratched and vulnerable to acids. Clean the surface by gentle wiping or vacuuming, then with a neutral pH cleaner.

The physical action of cleaning — includes rubbing, scrubbing, and friction. (CDC)

Cloths made from a tightly woven combination of polyester and polyamide (nylon) fibers. (CDC)

Clothing or equipment worn to protect against hazards (e.g., blood or body fluids). (CDC)

pH is the measure of acidity or alkalinity, with a neutral pH of 7 being preferable for routine cleaning.


A style of management that is also people oriented in contrast to one that is oriented solely toward results. In process-oriented management a manager must support and stimulate efforts to improve the way employees do their jobs. Such a style of management calls for a long-term outlook and usually requires behavioral change. (Masaaki Imai)

A document by the supplier or manufacturer of a chemical product that contains information on the product’s potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity, and environmental) and how to work safely with it. It also contains information on the use, storage, handling, and emergency procedures. (CDC)

“Staying alive and healthy is one very good reason to clean. Germs (bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.) and bugs thrive in unclean conditions. And dust can cause breathing problems for those of us with asthma or allergies. Cleaning beats aspirin in fighting the common cold and all kinds of debilitating and dangerous diseases. And it’ll do more to discourage unwanted little intruders than the best mousetrap or roach killer. We spend a lot of money on perfumes and deodorizers to get rid of unpleasant odors, but cleaning doesn’t allow them to exist — it eliminates the bacteria and molds that create them.”
Aslett, Don. The Cleaning Encyclopedia

You’ll want to check with the maker of the tub; but cleaning those jets will depend on what’s soiling them: oils, mineral deposits, etc. Oils will require something that cuts grease; such as a hot dish detergent solution (e.g., a capful of dish concentrate in 8 ounces of hot water), brushing and rinsing. If minerals are the issue, then soaking the jets in white vinegar overnight will dissolve the crust, followed by brushing and rinsing.  If there is a biofilm buildup in the lines, the system needs to be disassembled and each line brushed on the inside, then flushed (biofilms are impervious to most chemicals).

A floor mopping system for cleaning and disinfection. One bucket contains a detergent or cleaning solution, the second bucket contains disinfectant or disinfectant solution, and the third bucket contains clean water for rinsing the mop. (CDC)

(Image: Courtesy of TARGET HYGIENE)

A floor mopping system for cleaning only (not disinfection). One bucket contains a detergent or cleaning solution and the second bucket contains clean water for rinsing the mop. (CDC)

(Image: Courtesy of Unger)

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