The Chemistry Behind Cleaning amidst COVID-19

As Covid-19 has spread so has our fear of surfaces. Can the coronavirus disease spread through surface transmission? If your social distancing routine has involved copious amounts of takeout and a few online deliveries to your doorstep, you may have at some point wondered — What if the delivery worker was sick? Or the person who cooked the food? Is my stuff contaminated? How should I keep my home/workspace clean? These are the most frequent questions that keep crossing our minds.

Mundane household tasks have turned into a source of uncertainty and anxiety as families grapple with getting the basics done, while keeping their loved ones safe and healthy. Widespread but half‑baked information about the virus and also disinfecting puts everyone at risk and adds to the stress of having to filter fact information. Familiar scenes –  like people trying to open doors with their elbows, commuters religiously surfing the way through train journeys avoiding grabbing a handle, etc., can be seen. Coronaviruses are well known to be particularly resilient in terms of where they can survive. In the wake of light it becomes all the more necessary to take distinctive measures. Cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces at home/office appears to be even more important now.

We @Paramount Chemicals have stepped up to battle the coronavirus outbreak with the massive pivot towards the production of key raw materials as well as the finished products relating to Cleaning and disinfecting purposes to help communities protect themselves against covid-19.

We sell a complete line of chemicals including acids, anti-scalants, supplies, fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, methanol, approved organic chemicals, polymers, quaternary ammonium, salts. At Paramount we continue to crank out polymers such as Polypropylene for personal protective equipment such as face mask surgical gowns and antibacterial wipes, Polyethylene for food and equipment packaging, Chlorine bleach for disinfectants and surfactants for soap and other cleaning products and Polycarbonate and Polymethyl Methacrylate for clear protective screens.  This underscores the critical nature of the chemical industries in human health and safety. We might not be wrong in stating that there is a chemical behind every Cleaning, Disinfecting, Sanitizing and protecting human beings against hazards and infections.

From viruses to bacteria, our lives are filled with exposure to germs. While some of these germs are relatively harmless to people, others, like the novel coronavirus (and COVID-19, the disease it causes that’s currently spreading across the globe), can put certain demographics at serious risk. House cleaning may not be the most enjoyable activity in your day, but a few minutes killing germs can go a long way towards keeping your family healthy. The whole of the Rigmarole of ensuring safety and security can be majorly broken down in three processes.

CLEANING: Routine cleaning with detergent or soap and water removes dirt and grime from surfaces (ex: floors, walls, carpet, windows).

SANITIZING: It removes dirt and small amounts of germs. Some items and surfaces are cleaned to remove dirt then sanitized (ex: bathrooms, counters, toys, dishes, silverware).

DISINFECTING: Some items and surfaces require the added step of disinfecting after cleaning to kill germs on a surface (ex: changing tables, sinks, counters, toys).

Do It Yourself Tips:

If you have been dabbling with the idea of making your own cleaning products, here is the end to your hunt. Down below are some recipes that would make your cleaning spree easier.

#1.You can make your own all-purpose cleaner using three basic, inexpensive, non-toxic ingredients. You can use this cleaner for everything — from streak-free mirrors to wiping out the cat litter box.

1. 1. 1. 2 cups water
      2. 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
      3. ¼ cup lemon juice
      4. Mix and adjust to suit your needs.

#2. Sodium hypochlorite (bleach / chlorine) may be used at a recommended concentration of 0.1% or 1,000ppm (1 part of 5% strength household bleach to 49 parts of water). You can use diluted chlorine bleach solutions to help disinfect household surfaces in bathrooms and the kitchen. Using bleach solutions to disinfect frequently touched surfaces also can help prevent the spread of colds, flu, norovirus and other infectious illnesses.

#3. Alcohol @ 70-90% can also be used for surface disinfection. Surfaces must be cleaned with water and soap or a detergent first to remove dirt, followed by disinfection. Alcohol-based disinfecting solutions should contain at least 70% alcohol and can be used for cleaning table surfaces, light switches, and mobile phones. Hand sanitizers should be 60% to 95% alcohol to kill germs most effectively.

#4. For disinfecting surfaces, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol are nearly equally efficient. Ethanol may be used in purely surface-cleaning applications, but isopropyl alcohol can also double as antiseptic and is often used in hospitals.

1. 1/4 cups water.
2. 1/4 cup white vinegar.
3. 1/4 cup (60% + alcohol content)
4. 15 drops essential oil – peppermint + lemon OR lavender + lemon are great in this recipe.

All the above can be made and stored in a glass spray bottle for better usage and convenience.

1. Oxalic acid is an essential household chemical that can be used, like many acids, as a cleaner for various things. For example, as a rust remover, a cleaning agent, on wood work as a stain lifter, as a bleaching agent, and many more. The Oxalic powder is mixed with water to turn into a solution of Oxalic acid. At high doses Oxalic acid is very dangerous, but at moderate doses it is safe for various useful functions.
2. Boric acid is considered one of the most effective and a natural ways to get rid of those pesky pests in your home. It is used to kill cockroaches, ants, fleas, termites, silverfish, beetles, wood borers, and other parasites. Mix equal parts boric acid and flour and dust all over your home, especially in the cracks and corners of your house where they hide. The insecticidal powers of boric acid can also be extended to furniture and frequently touched surfaces.
3. Hydrochloric acid can be an ingredient in household cleaners such as toilet bowl cleaners, bathroom tile cleaners and other porcelain cleaners, due to its corrosive properties that help clean tough stains. When adding Hydrochloric Acid ensure that the product is mixed thoroughly with water remembering to always add acid to water, never add water to acid. It can also be used as a swimming pool treatment chemical.
4. To make a sanitizing rinse for equipment at home and offices, dissolve 8 teaspoons of sodium metabisulfite into 1 gallon of water. High concentrations of sulfur dioxide gas are irritating and toxic, so use in a well-ventilated area. After applying the solution to your equipment, the items must be rinsed with clean, cold water.
5. Dilute Phosphoric Acid Cleaner 15 parts water to 1 part Phosphoric Acid Cleaner. For a stronger solution, reduce the water down to as low as 3 parts. Allow the solution to dwell on the surface for 1 – 5 minutes while agitating with a brush.
6. Sodium bisulfate is a synonym for sodium acid sulphate. It is a dry acid in crystal, granular, or powder form that is used as a pH adjuster, fungicide, herbicide, or microbiocide (a product that kills microbes) in a variety of industries, such as household cleaning and swimming pool maintenance.

Safety & Security Measures:

Powerful chemical chemistry should not be taken lightly. Any chemical, even water or oxygen, can be toxic if too much is ingested or absorbed into the body. The toxicity of a specific substance depends on a variety of factors, including how much of the substance a person is exposed to, how they are exposed, and for how long.

1. Chemicals at home or business should be treated with caution and stored in a locked location to safeguard against accidental poisoning.
2. Adults cleaning at home or a business cleaning staff, must be trained in the proper handling of chemicals to prevent a deadly reaction.
3. While cleaning products are safe and effective, they must be handled appropriately to protect the health of consumers and their families. Users should follow all safe handling instructions on a product’s label before using a particular cleaning product.
4. Wear gloves and long-sleeved clothing when cleaning to avoid skin contact, as well as safety goggles when necessary. Always clean with chemicals in a well-ventilated area to prevent any reactions from fume inhalation.
5. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends taking special precautions around chemical cleaners labelled corrosive, toxic, or flammable with warnings like poison, danger, and caution. Chemical cleaners should always be stored in a locked cabinet, out of reach of pets and children.
6. Different brands of the same type of cleaner is a recipe for disaster. You never know how the unique chemical formulations will react. In a best-case scenario, the two products may cancel each other out and negate their chemical effects entirely. In the worst-case scenario, the product mixture may produce harmful toxins.

At Paramount Chemicals we work hard to minimize our impact on the environment and ensure to walk on the path to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Producing cleaning supplies and other chemicals is just not a commercial aspect for us, it’s more about protecting people, better processes, the right products and responsible delivery and packaging. We intend to help you achieve lower operating costs and a safer, healthier home, workplace, and a safe environment.