Have you ever heard someone say they don’t use chemicals to clean?

What you need to know about cleaning and the pH scale

In chemistry, pH is a scale used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a chemical. Only chemicals that are soluble in water have a pH value. 

Therefore, oils and greases don’t have a pH value, they are called binders. On the other hand, soils, for example, have a pH value based on their composition.

This affects what cleaner (chemical) needs to be used to remove the soil from your RV. The pH of the soil and the pH of the cleaner need to be the opposite so the soil can be removed leaving a clean, safe, and sanitary surface.

pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14. On this scale, a pH value of 7 is neutral, which means it is neither acidic nor basic. A pH value of less than 7 means it is more acidic, and a pH value of more than 7 means it is more basic. When you mix acidic vinegar with alkaline dish soap, you’re creating a neutral detergent.

Vinegar is an acid, at 2 - 3, and Dawn dish soap is at 8.7 - 9.3 on the pH scale.

When mixed together, they become basically neutral and lose some effectiveness.  Either way, they’re both chemicals. 

A multi-use cleaner should be around 9 - 9.5 on the pH scale since general household soils such as fingerprints, food crumbs and greasy areas are acidic. A bathroom cleaner should be around 0 - 1 to work effectively against alkaline soils such as soap scum from soaps and shampoos, water spots and mineral deposits and still be safe.

Why is water NOT a type of cleaner?

Water is a pure chemical because it is homogeneous – pure water is the same throughout its structure. It is made up of the same molecules (H2O), each having the same combination and structure of atoms – the same ratio of hydrogen to oxygen, bonded in the same way. This is why water is neutral and not a cleaner.

If water were a cleaner, we wouldn't need toothpaste, dish soap, shampoo, or laundry detergent.

This means using water alone isn’t cleaning and won't achieve the desired results. 

We regularly hear people talk about cleaning without chemicals, but as we now know, this is impossible. Even so-called "safe" or homemade cleaners contain chemicals.

Cleaning products should be chosen because they work and are safe, despite the chemicals.

Together the total ingredients determine how well a cleaning mixture works and how safe it is to use. That's why the quality of the "chemicals" or raw materials is very important. The better the quality, the better they work, requiring less chemical and elbow grease to get the job done and less chemical down the drain.  All of the pieces together keep a cleaner such as Gabe’s Pride biodegradable and safer for all - including Mother Earth.

Why baking soda and vinegar ARE cleaners

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate which is regularly used in cleaning products. It's an alkaline builder for high pH cleaners (multi-surface or all-purpose cleaners).

So, if you use baking soda to clean and think you're cleaning chemical-free, think again. 

Vinegar's chemical name is acetic acid. Acetic acid is an acidic option used in making bathroom cleaners or acidic-based cleaners. 

Many people use vinegar as a cleaner, but vinegar alone is missing important components that make it an effective cleaner. 

In fact, vinegar can ruin some surfaces over time when used alone as a cleaner. 

Are essential oils effective at cleaning?

When used alone, essential oils don't have cleaning properties. 

Due to being oils, they don’t dissolve in water and, therefore, don't have a pH value. 

Although they have benefits in cleaners, they’re not as effective as a specially designed cleaner because they don't have any cleaning properties. Essential oils can be added to natural homemade cleaners as they help deodorize surfaces. This means that it can leave a nice, fresh smell in your RV or motorhome.

Why you should use high-quality and safe cleaning chemicals 

Using cleaners with chemicals is perfectly fine as long as the chemicals are made with high quality raw materials. The higher the quality, the safer they are and the better they work.

Lower-quality chemicals tend to be harsher, which is not as safe for people or surfaces. They also require more effort to clean, which results in lower quality results.

Even though you might think you're saving money with these products, in reality, you're spending more, working harder, and using more chemicals.   

Many people think they know what they're looking for in the ingredients of cleaners, but just because a specific raw material is in it, doesn't mean it's terrible. An effective, safe cleaner is based on using the safest, highest quality raw materials.  Being biodegradable with recyclable containers is the ultimate. This is possible.

Purchase eco-friendly cleaning products for your RV online 

If you’re looking for eco-friendly, safe, and effective cleaning products that are perfect for cleaning an RV or motorhome, then Gabe’s Pride has what you need!

With over 50 years of professional cleaning experience, at Gabe’s Pride, we produce some of the highest quality cleaners on the market.

From multi-surface sprays and bathroom cleaners to mops and toilet swabs - we have a wide range of cleaning supplies available to purchase online. 

So if you need RV cleaning supplies, check out our range of environmentally friendly cleaning supplies on our online store.