Abrasion
The wearing away or cleaning by friction
Active Ingredient
Chemical component of a cleaner that inactivates, reduces or destroys organisms. These ingredients must be listed on product labels
Aerobes
A microorganism that requires oxygen to grow
Aerosol
A suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in air or gas, as a fog, smoke or mist
Alcohol
Used to disinfect clinical surfaces and equipment. Product evaporates rapidly and can dry and irritate skin. It does not stain and kills bacteria quickly
Algaecide
Products that destroy algae.
Anaerobe
A microorganism which will grow in the absence of oxygen
Antibacterial
A chemical substance which kills public health bacteria
Antimicrobial
A chemical substance which inhibits or destroys bacteria, virus, fungi, yeasts or molds.
Bactericidal
A chemical that kills bacteria harmful to health
Bio-contamination
Contamination through micro-organisms
Biodegradable
A substance that can be decomposed by bacteria and/or natural environmental factors
Corrosion Inhibitor
Protects the wearing away of surfaces
Carpet Spotting
Treating spills on carpeted surfaces with chemicals selected for the specific spill. In the health care facility, spots require special attention and disinfection
Chlorine
Powerful oxidizing agent often used as a germicide.
Cleaning
Cleaning is locating, identifying, containing, removing and disposing of unwanted substances (pollutants) from the environment.
Concentrate
An undiluted form of a dilutable cleaning product.
Contact Time
The published time that a disinfectant or sanitizing chemical must remain wet on the surface being treated. These chemicals are killing germs only when wet.
Contagious
A state whereby a disease or infection may be transmitted or spread from one person to another. Also refers to a microorganism which is capable of causing a communicable disease.
Contaminate
To pollute, make unclean or dirty
Defoamers
A substance used to reduce or eliminate foam
Detail Cleaning
Special custodial cleaning procedures that are conducted less frequently.
Daily Cleaning
Custodial cleaning procedures that are typically conducted every day.
Decontaminate
To remove pathogenic and undesirable microorganisms or soil from surfaces by chemical or physical means
Degreaser
A chemical product specially formulated to remove grease and oil.
Deodorant
Destroys, masks or eliminates offensive odors.
Detergent
A chemical which is used for cleaning surfaces and which may possess various properties such as surface wetting, soil emulsification, soil dispersion, or soil suspending.
Disinfectant
A chemical intended to destroy or inactivate microorganisms on inanimate surfaces.
Disinfecting
Process by which bacteria, fungi or viruses are destroyed permanently.
Dilute
To reduce the strength of a concentrate by adding water.
Dry
To remove moisture from a surface.
Dust
Light particles suspended in air.
Dusting Product
Product that dispenses a fine mist or spray that picks up and retains light dust and soil.
Efficacy
Effectiveness of the product.
Eliminate
To remove an undesirable substance.
Epoxy
A shortened name for a class of synthetic resins.
Floor Machine
A Power driven machine used to remove soil by scrubbing, buffing or burnishing floor surfaces.
Glass Cleaner
A mixture of solvents, detergents or alcohols that can remove soils and water spots and dry without residue.
Heat pipe
A device that transfers heat by the evaporation and condensation of an internal fluid
Microorganisms
Microorganisms or microbes are very small organisms which can only be seen under a microscope.
Polish
To shine, make smooth or glossy.
Sterile
Free of living, reproducing microorganisms i.e. bacteria, fungi, virus, spores.
Wax
A natural protective coating for hard surfaces.
Washing
Cleaning in an aqueous environment.
