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pH Scale for Cleaning Chemicals

A posting chart of the 0 to 14 pH scale that groups cleaning products into acids, neutrals and alkalis and shows which soils each removes.

Ref JS-0205

Draft, open for review. Check every value against the governing standard and the manufacturer’s data before use.

What it is

pH tells you how acidic or alkaline a water-based product is. The scale runs from 0 to 14. Seven is neutral. Below 7 is acidic. Above 7 is alkaline. Each whole number is a tenfold change, so pH 13 is ten times stronger than pH 12. The rule of thumb is simple: acids remove mineral soils, alkalis remove greasy and organic soils, and neutrals handle light daily soil.

How to read it

Find the product's pH in SDS Section 9 or on the product data sheet.
Find that number on the chart.
Check that the soil you need to remove matches the zone.
Check the "Watch out for" column against the surface.
Remember that dilution moves pH toward 7, but a strong product stays strong when used at the label rate.

The scale

pH	Zone	Removes	Typical products	Watch out for
0–2	Strong acid	Heavy scale, rust, urine stone	Some bowl cleaners, rust removers	Etches metal, grout and stone; burns skin and eyes
3–6	Mild acid	Hard-water spots, soap scum, light scale	Restroom cleaners, descalers	Etches marble, limestone and terrazzo
7	Neutral	Light daily soil	Neutral floor cleaners	Residue if mixed too strong
8–10	Mild alkali	Fingerprints, light grease, body oils	All-purpose and glass cleaners	Can dull some floor finishes over time
11–12	Alkali	Heavy grease, oils, protein soils	Degreasers, kitchen cleaners	Attacks aluminum and some paints
13–14	Strong alkali (caustic)	Floor finish, baked-on grease	Strippers, oven and drain cleaners	Burns skin and eyes; damages wood and aluminum

Zones are general groupings for training. The product's SDS gives its actual pH.

Key points

Match the chemistry to the soil first, then check the surface.
The further from 7, the more PPE is usually needed. Follow the label and SDS Section 8.
Never mix acids with alkalis. Never mix acids or ammonia with bleach.
After stripping with a high-pH product, rinse well before applying finish. Follow the finish maker's directions.
pH test strips are a quick way to check a use solution or a rinse.

Common mistakes

Using an acid restroom cleaner on a marble vanity or terrazzo floor.
Using a strong degreaser on aluminum trim or equipment.
Assuming "neutral" means no PPE is needed.
Adding extra concentrate "to make it work better." This leaves residue and can raise the hazard.

Governing standards: No single standard sets cleaning-product pH zones. Product pH is reported in SDS Section 9 under 29 CFR 1910.1200.

Reference only. Verify against the current governing code or standard, the manufacturer's data and the project documents before use. Apps for Distributors disclaims liability arising from reliance on this reference.

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