Cleaning Explained

Stain removal, smells and cleaning, with the reason each method works

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Cleaning methods explained

Every cleaning agent works by one of a few mechanisms: acids dissolve minerals, bases cut grease, oxidizers bleach color, surfactants lift oil, solvents dissolve what water can't, and enzymes digest proteins. Knowing which is which tells you what a product will clean, what it will damage, and why some popular combinations cancel each other out.

Lemons, a glass bottle, mugs and cutting boards on a bright kitchen counter

Cleaning agents

  • Acetone

    Acetone is a fast-evaporating solvent that dissolves nail polish, lacquer, some glues and resins that water and detergent can't touch.

  • Household ammonia

    Household ammonia is ammonia dissolved in water, a moderate alkali that loosens greasy and protein soils, neutralizes acids and evaporates without much residue.

  • Baking soda

    Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) cleans in three ways: as a gentle abrasive in a paste, as a mild alkali that loosens greasy and acidic soil, and as an odor absorber.

  • Borax

    Borax (sodium tetraborate) is a mild-to-moderate alkali and water softener sold as a laundry booster.

  • Chlorine bleach

    Chlorine bleach is sodium hypochlorite in water, a strong alkaline oxidizer that decolorizes stains, whitens, deodorizes and, diluted correctly, disinfects hard surfaces.

  • Cornstarch and other absorbents

    Cornstarch and other absorbent powders draw loose oil and grease out of fabric, carpet, suede and stone by capillary action, the way a paper towel soaks up water.

  • Dish soap

    Liquid dish soap is a mild, near-neutral surfactant that surrounds oily soil and holds it in water so it rinses away.

  • Dry-cleaning solvent

    Dry-cleaning solvent, sold as cleaning fluid or spot remover, is a non-water solvent that dissolves grease, oil, wax, tar and resin that water can't.

  • Enzyme cleaner

    An enzyme cleaner uses biological catalysts (proteases, amylases, lipases) to cut protein, starch and fat into small, water-soluble pieces that rinse away.

  • Glycerin

    Glycerin for stain removal works as a softener, not a cleaner: it rehydrates dried or set stains and dissolves some ink dyes, so detergent or a solvent can then carry them away.

  • Hydrogen peroxide (3%)

    Hydrogen peroxide for stains means the 3% drugstore solution, a mild oxygen-type bleach.

  • Laundry pretreatment

    To pretreat stains, apply a prewash spray, gel or stick, or rub heavy-duty liquid detergent into the spot, let it work briefly, then wash right away in the warmest water the care label allows for that stain.

  • Lemon juice and citric acid

    Lemon juice for cleaning works because it's a weak acid.

  • Oxygen bleach

    Oxygen bleach is powdered sodium percarbonate, which releases hydrogen peroxide and washing soda when it dissolves.

  • Rubbing alcohol

    Rubbing alcohol for stains works as a solvent: isopropyl alcohol dissolves many dyes, inks and resins that water won't touch, then evaporates without leaving residue.

  • Salt

    Salt for stains works physically, not chemically.

  • Washing soda

    Washing soda is sodium carbonate, a strong household alkali sold as a laundry booster.

  • White vinegar

    Cleaning with vinegar works because white vinegar is a dilute acid, about 5% acetic acid.