What is the Ideal Duration to Leave Cleaning Agents Before Wiping?
When we're trying to tidy up, it's tempting to rush through the process. However, you might not realize that hurrying can actually leave your home less clean. According to Janice Start, the owner of Castle Keepers House Cleaning in South Carolina, letting cleaning solutions sit on surfaces is essential for them to work efficiently.
This is especially important for disinfectants, which need time to kill germs and bacteria. For cleaning products such as shower cleaners or degreasers, allowing them to stay on for a longer period allows them to break down soap scum, grime, or grease more effectively. By giving the active ingredients time to work, Start explains that less physical labor like scrubbing is required, and repeated applications are minimized.
Janice Start is the proprietor of Castle Keepers House Cleaning located in South Carolina.
Dwell Time vs. Contact Time
You may have noticed the use of two terms, dwell time and contact time, in the previous passage. Although they sound similar, Start differentiates between them. Dwell time applies to cleaners in general, while contact time is specific to disinfectants and sanitizers. Both refer to the amount of time a product needs to remain on a surface to achieve its intended effect. Dwell time and contact time imply an active process during which the cleaner or disinfectant is cleaning or disinfecting the surface.
One distinction is their regulatory requirements. Contact time is often legally defined on disinfectant labels, while dwell time is often a practical recommendation. There's also a distinction in the outcome of application: dwell time improves cleaning, while contact time ensures pathogen control.
How Long Should Cleaning Products Sit?
The duration depends on the specific product. Cleaning and disinfecting solutions typically provide their recommended dwell or required contact times. Here's a general guideline:
- Disinfectants (e.g., sprays, wipes): 3-10 minutes to kill bacteria and viruses
- Shower cleaners (e.g., soap scum removers): 5-15 minutes to break down buildup, depending on the level of grime
- Degreasers (e.g., kitchen cleaners): 5-10 minutes to dissolve grease and oil
- Toilet bowl cleaners: 10-15 minutes to remove stains and disinfect
- All-purpose cleaners (not specifically disinfecting): 1-3 minutes for light cleaning
- Stain removers (on surfaces like grout or countertops): 15-30 minutes, or longer for stubborn stains
Is It Always Necessary?
There are two exceptions when letting the cleaning products sit may not be necessary:
- Quick wipe-downs with all-purpose cleaners (unless specified)
- Products labeled as “instant clean” or “no-wait,” which can still benefit from brief dwell time in tough spots.
Pro Tips
- Proper ventilation: Letting products sit, especially in enclosed areas like showers, can generate strong fumes. Open windows or turn on a fan to ensure proper ventilation.
- Keep surfaces wet: Once you spray a cleaner or disinfectant on the surface, keep spraying any dry spots for the recommended dwell or contact time before wiping or rinsing it away.
- Don't let it sit too long: Some cleaners, especially harsh ones like bleach or acidic products, can damage surfaces if left for extended periods.
- Combine dwell time with tools: After letting the products sit, use scrub brushes, microfiber cloths, or sponges to enhance cleaning power.
- Layering isn't effective and may be dangerous: Avoid applying multiple products at once or before the first product has been wiped off. It can neutralize their effectiveness or even create harmful chemical reactions (e.g., bleach and ammonia).
After learning the importance of dwell time from Janice Start, the owner of Castle Keepers House Cleaning in South Carolina, it's crucial to follow recommended times for various cleaning products. For instance, disinfectants like sprays or wipes need 3-10 minutes to effectively kill germs and bacteria, while shower cleaners require 5-15 minutes to break down soap scum and grime.
Janice Start, the proprietor of Castle Keepers House Cleaning, emphasizes that allowing cleaning solutions to sit helps achieve better results with less physical labor. By understanding dwell time, you can make cleaning your home more efficient and effective.
