JANITORIAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES GLOSSARY OF TERMS

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

Janitorial Glossary - A

Abrasion - Wearing away or cleaning by friction
Abrasive - A product that works by abrasion or scouring action
Acid - A low pH compound that dissolves in water producing hydrogen (H+) ions - used in toilet cleaners, rust removers and hard water stain removers
Acrylic Floor Finish - A water-based liquid coating that dries hard and glossy to protect underlying floors
Adsorption - To take in a substance by chemical interaction with it
Alcohol - A liquid hydrocarbon that contains hydroxyl (OH) groups; methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl alcohols are commonly used in cleaning supplies
Algaecide - A product that destroys algae
Alkali - A high pH compound that dissolves in water producing hydroxyl (OH-) ions - used in all-purpose cleaners, degreasers, and strippers
All Purpose Cleaner - A powder or liquid detergent suitable for general household cleaning
Amphoteric Surfactant - A molecule with both positive and negative surface ionic charges - often used in personal care products
Anhydrous Soap - Soap that contains no water
Anionic Surfactant - Negatively charged molecule widely used in high sudsing detergents
Antibacterial - A product that prevents bacteria from growing or spreading and may kill them
Anti-Fatigue Mat - A mat designed to cushion impact and reduce stress on feet and legs while standing, for use in kitchens, manufactiring operations, gyms, or anywhere where people are required to stand for long periods
Antimicrobial - A product that destroys bacteria, fungi, protozoa or any virus that is pathogenic
Antiredeposition Agent - An ingredient used in detergents to help prevent soil from redepositing on cleaned surfaces

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - B

Bacteria - Microscopic single celled living organisms that may cause illness in humans and pets
Bactericide - A product that kills bacteria
Bacteriostat - A product that prevents bacteria from growing or spreading but does not kill them
Bio Enzyme (Enzyme) - Any protein or conjugated protein produced by living organisms and functioning as a biochemical catalyst, may be used in cleaning supplies to digest stains
Bleach - A strongly oxidizing product that may be used for cleaning, removing stains and whitening/brightening fabrics
Bleached Roll Towel - A disposable paper towel, provided in roll form, that has been bleached to provide a clean appearance
Blushing - A whitening effect that may occurs when a solvent-based floor finish dries
Bowl Swab - A brush, abrasive sponge, or mop product used for cleaning the inside of toilet bowls or urinals
Brighteners - Optical or fluorescent enhancers found in some cleaning supplies
Buffing - Polishing by rubbing with a moving pad, cloth, or brush
Buff Pad - A pad for polishing (floors)
Builder - Materials such as silicates, phosphates, carbonates, and borax, that increase the cleaning efficiency of a surfactant
Build-Up - A heavy deposit of floor finish, wax, grime or dirt
Burnish - Using a Burnisher to buff a protective floor coating before it fully dries, producing a hard finish
Butyl - A hyrocarbon-based material with a backbone structure containing 4 carbon atoms per molecule

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - C

Cationic Surfactant - Products containing quarternary ammonium compounds to be used as disinfectants and sanitisers
Caustic - Highly alkaline products, like 'caustic soda' (NaOH), that are highly corrosive
Chelating Agent - Additives in detergents for inactivating the minerals in hard water that interfere with cleaning and cause soap scum
Cidal or ‘Cide’ - Products with the ability to kill micro-organisms
Chemical Cleaning - Uses cleaning chemicals to remove soiling instead of mechanical or abrasive agents
Chlorine Bleach - Strong oxidising agents found in sodium hypochlorite. It removes stains, aids soil removal, whitens disinfects and deodorises laundry
Clarity - A room that is maintained virtually free of contaminants, such as dust or bacteria, used in laboratory work and in the manufacture of sensitive materials or products
Cleaning - removing undesirable substances from a substrate
Cleanroom (Clean Room) - removing undesirable substances from a substrate
Cleanser - Powdered or liquid product containing abrasives, surfactants and bleach
Cloud Point - The temperature at which a non-ionic surfactant drops out of solution causing cloudiness - maximum surfactant activity and performance is achieved just below this temperature
Cold Room Cleaner - A cleaning chemical designed to remove soil and disinfect refrigerated cold storage areas and rooms
Concentrate - An undiluted form of a cleaning product
Contaminate - To add undesirable components to making something 'dirty'
Corrosion Inhibitor - A product that protects a system from the effects of chemical corrosion

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - D

Damp Mopping - Process of using a damp cloth or mop lightly wrung in water or detergent solution to remove lightly soiled surfaces
Decontaminate - To remove any contamination
Defoamer - A product used to reduce or eliminate foam
Degreaser - A cleaning product formulated to remove grease & oil
Deodorant - A product that masks or eliminates offensive odors
Detergent - A cleaning product other than soap, that may contain surfactants, builders, solvents, and/or chelating agents.
DIBS (Diversey Drop-In Bucket System) - A premeasured cleaning chemical dispensing system trademarked by (Johnson) Diversey
Dilute - To reduce the strength of a concentrated product by adding water
Dilution Control System (DCS) - A system that meters the exact amount of chemical cleaner added to water to make an optimum cleaning solution, used in many janitorial cleaning operations and in laundry applications
Dirt Retention - The amount of dirt / soil remaining on a surface or in a pile
Dirty Water Bucket - When mopping, to wring soiled water into a 'dirty water bucket' instead of back into the cleaning solution
Disinfectant - A product that destroys harmful bacteria and viruses on surfaces
Double Bucket - A bucket with 2 compartments - one for cleaning fluid and one for rinse water
Drain Cleaner - A product that is formulated to clean solid grease and other materials from drains
Dry - To remove moisture from a surface
Dry Air Freshener - A scented odor counteractant or neutralizer that may be sprayed into the air or onto surfaces in aerosol form
Dry Mop - (To Use) A mop or swab made from absorbent material used for dusting
Durability - The ability of a surface or finish to endure wear
Dust - Light particles that are, or have been, suspended in air
Dusting Product - A product that picks up and retains dust and soil

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - E

Emulsification - The break up of fats and oils into small droplets suspended in water or a detergent solution
Epoxy - A class of synthetic resins
Escherichia coli (e-coli) - A Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria that can infect humans to cause severe diarrhea and illness
Extraction - A method of carpet cleaning in which an Extractor forces a cleaning solution deep into a carpet pile, and the soiled solution is then extracted out into the extraction machine using vacuum suction

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - F

Final Step Sanitizer - A sanitizer for use without needing to be rinsed away
Fine Sweep Broom - A broom made with fine fibers, used for dry sweeping fine debris from smooth and semi-smooth surfaces
Finish - A protective coating used as a top coat (usually on hard floors)
Finish Bucket - A wide bucket (usually with mobility casters) used to contain (floor) finish solution during finish application
Floor Machine - A Power-driven machine used for scrubbing, buffing or burnishing floor surfaces
Foaming Agent - A material that increases the production of bubbles in a cleaning solution
Fungi - Multicellular organisms that are infectious and harmful, examples are mold and mildew
Fungicide - Chemical agent that destroys fungi
Furniture Cleaner/Polish - A product to remove dust, marks, and stains from furniture

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - G

Germicide - A product that kills germs
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor) - A fast-acting electrical circuit breaker that is triggered by current leaking to ground (a ground fault)
Gloss - A shiny surface lustre
Glug Glug Method - To make a cleaning solution by pouring 2 'glugs' of cleaning fluid into a bucket of water (not recommended for optimum results!)
Grease - A thick oil or viscous material, usually a lubricant

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - H

Hand Cleanser - A cleaning product formulated to removes oil, grease, and other contaminants from your hands
Hard Water - Water rich in magnesium and/or calcium ions (1 grain = 18 PPM hard water) that react to form soap scum
Housekeeping - The cleaning and maintenance of property and equipiment
Hydrochloric Acid - HCl is and acid used to clean toilets
Hydrophobic - Materials that are difficult to wet, and do not absorb water easily
Hydrophilic - Materials that are easily wet, and may absorb water quickly
Hydrotrope - An ingredient that stabilizes other surfactants used in a cleaner so that they remain soluble and the cleaner remains clear.

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - I

Inorganic Alkaline Detergent - A water-soluble detergent that contains no soap or synthetics

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - J

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - K

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - L

Latex - A milky natural plant sap useful in making rubber
Low Sudsing - A product that cleans without foaming significantly

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - M

Mechanical Cleaning - Process of removing dirt or soil by manual scrubbing or use of abrasives
Medium Sweep Broom - A broom made with medium-diameter fibers, used for dry sweeping medium debris from surfaces
Mild Cleaner - A product that is non damaging to the surface being cleaned
MSDS - A Material Safety Data Sheet (aka SDS - Safety Data Sheet) for a product lists any hazardous ingredients, safety precautions, and first aid

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - N

Neutral Cleaner - A non-alkaline, non-acid cleaner with pH~7 - for daily use on alkaline-sensitive floors, like marble
Nitrile - A resilient synthetic rubber containing the cyano (-CN) group, especially useful to replace latex in making disposable gloves
Non-Chlorine Bleach - An oxidizing product containing peroxide compounds to achieve bleaching
Nonionic Surfactant - A surfactant without apparent surface charge - used in heavy-duty cleaners and degreasers for removing oily soil
Non-Volatile Solids - (%) are the substances remaining when all water and other solvents are driven off a cleaner in a laboratory test oven
Nylon - A resilient synthetic polymer containing the amide (-CONH) group, useful for making bristles, fibers, woven fabrics...

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - O

Olefin - An unsaturated open-chain hydrocarbon having the general formula CnH2n
Olefin Fiber - A synthetic fiber, made from olefin compounds, used in man-made fabrics, carpets...
Optical Brightener - A product that absorbs UV light and emits visible light to achieve a brightening effect
Orange Citrus Cleaner - A powerful cleaning fluid made from natural orange peel oil, useful in removing tar spots and oil/grease marks

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - P

Para Insecticide - An insecticide formulated with para-dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethene (DDT), which is associated with significant environmental damage - preferred insecticides are non-para formulated
Pathogens - Micro-organisms that cause disease
Pesticide - A product that kills and often repels pests
pH - The measure of alkaline (OH-) or acidic hydrogen (H+) ions in a solution - pH=7 is neutral, but for cleaners pH 5-9 are considered “neutral”, pH less than 5 are acidic, and pH greater than 9 are alkaline
Phosphoric Acid - An acid commonly used in toilet bowl cleaners and other detergents
Pine Oil - An oil processed from pine trees, used in cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces
Pine Oil Cleaner - A liquid cleaner containing pine oil and detergents, used for disinfecting, sanitising and deodorising
Pneumatic Wheels - Wheels fitted with tires that are inflated to pressure with a gas (usually air)
Polish - To make smooth and glossy
Polypropylene (PP) - Hard & Tough thermoplastic resin materials made by polymerising Propylene (CH3CH=CH2)
PortionPac System - A line of cleaning and/or disinfecting chemicals, made by Portion Pac Inc, premeasured for mixing in the ratio 1 Pac to 1 container (bucket, bottle, or tank - as appropriate) of water
Pre-Soak - A soaking operation to remove tough stains before washing
Pre-Spot - An operation to remove tough stains before general cleaning

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - Q

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - R

Redeposition - Soil settling back onto a cleaned surface before rinsing
Rinsability - The ease with which a cleaning product may be completely removed from a surface
Rough Sweep Broom - A broom made with coarse fibers, used for wet or dry sweeping coarse debris from smooth or uneven surfaces
Rug Hugger Pad - A thin synthetic pad designed for use underneath loose rugs in order to provide grip and stop them slipping across wooden floors or other smooth flooring

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - S

Sanitizer - A product which Sanitizes (reduces but doesn't completely kill and remove bacteria)
Saponification - The process of converting fats into soap, or to remove grease and oil
Scraper Mat - A mat deployed in entranceways to remove dirt from footware (the dirt is retained in the mat, which requires regular cleaning)
Sealer - A coating designed to impregnate and protect a porous surface
SDA - The Soap and Detergent Association
SDS - A Safety Data Sheet (aka MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheet) for a product lists any hazardous ingredients, safety precautions, and first aid
Sequesterant - A product that holds hard water metal ions in solution - examples include chelating agents and phosphates
Soap - A natural cleaning product arising from the reaction of a fatty acid, fat, or oil with an alkali
Sodium Hypochlorite - NaOCl is chemical used for bleaching and disinfecting
Soil - An unwanted substance that contaminates surfaces
Solvent - A liquid which dissolves another substance, water being the most common
Spray Buff - The procedure of spraying a 'spray buff' cleaning agent onto a floor and machine buffing to a shiny finish
Squeegee - A tool with a rubber edge to wipe water from floors and windows
Stainless Steel - A metal alloy made from steel, with chromium as a major component and usually containing other alloying elements, used in sinks and other surfaces that must be resistant to corrosion or easily disinfected
Staphylococcus (Staph) - A group of Gram-positive spherical bacteria that can infect humans to cause diseases and skin infections
Steam Cleaning - A cleaning operation that uses steam to sanitize and clean
Sterilisation - The Process of killing all forms of microbial life including bacteria, fungi, spores, and viruses
Streptococcus (Strep) - A group of Gram-positive spherical bacteria that can infect humans to cause diseases and skin infections
Stripper - A product for removing wax finish or paint without damaging the underlying surface
Suds - A foam or lather generated on or in a detergent solution
Surfactant - An ingredient that increases the dissolving, emulsifying, foaming, and wetting properties of a cleaning product - Surfactants are classified by their ionic properties in water and fall into one of 4 groups: nonionic, anionic, cationic, or amphoteric
Suspension - Holding insoluble dirt and oils in a cleaning solution to prevent them from being deposited back onto a cleaned surface
Synthetic (Soapless) Detergents - Petrochemical-based cleaning products that lather well and do not form a scum in hard water

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - T

Tack Rag (Tack Cloth) - A damp or sticky cloth used to remove loose dust and lint before coating or finishing
Tackiness (Tack) - Being sticky or adhesive
Tire Link Mat - Highly durable mats with good traction, made by interlinking cut rectangular cubes of recycled tire material
Torque - The tendency of a Force to produce Rotation around an axis (torsion)

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - U

Unclog - To remove an obstructing object
Urinal Screen - A device used in male restrooms to prevent solids flushing into and blocking urinal discharge pipes (often scented with disinfectant)
Utility - The condition of being useful
Utility Truck - a truck designed for various (often heavy-duty) practical uses such as carrying packages
Utility Waste - waste material created at utility plants

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - V

Vacuum Cleaner - A device that removes dirt by suction of air through a filter, by using a fan
Vacuum Cleaner Shoe - The plate on the bottom of a brush head tool, for use with a vacuum cleaner
Vinyl - A general term used to refer to a series of tough and flexible rubbery polymers that include the vinyl (-CH=CH2) group in their structure - examples include PolyVinylChloride (PVC) or PolyVinylAcetate (PVAc)
Viracide - A product that kills viruses
Voban - A cleaning & odor elimination product that is effective for treating liquid spillages, urine, and vomit, in janitorial applications
VOC - Volatile Organic Compounds - a measure of the non-water-based solvents contained are in a product

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - W

Washing - Cleaning in water or other water-based solutions
Wax - A natural protective coating for hard surfaces
Water Soluble - Capable of being dissolved in water
Wet Mopping - The application of sufficient cleaning solution to cover the area being mopped with a layer of liquid
Wetting Agent - A product that allows water to spread more easily across a surface
Window Brush - A brush with soft bristles (often horsehair, tampico, or polystyrene), usually fitted on an extension pole, useful for cleaning dirt from windows without scratching
Wiper Towel - A soft absorbent paper or cloth towel used for cleaning up spilled liquids, oil, grease...
Wire Scratch Brush - A brush with metal wire bristles, useful for cleaning scale, corrosion, or other unwanted surface layers from metal surfaces or other hard surfaces
Wringer - A device designed to remove water from a mop or cloth by squeezing

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - X

No Listings

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - Y

No Listings

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index

Janitorial Glossary - Z

No Listings

Back Up To Janitorial Glossary Index