For cleaning we use bases. Most of the shampoos available in the market are highly basic. Give reason.
Answers
To understand how to best clean something, you must understand that cleaning products are either acidic, alkaline (base) or neutral. These terms are assigned based on the cleaners’ position on a 1-14 pH scale that represents the acidity of the agent. pH stands for ‘potential hydrogen’ and indicates how likely a substance will add hydrogen ions when added to water. For example, laundry detergents are alkaline so they will attract hydrogen when in water.
Here is a quick look at some common substances and where they fall on the pH scale with neutral items being in the center.
When it comes to cleaners, a higher pH does not indicate a greater cleaning strength, but rather, the number tells you the concentration of hydrogen or hydroxide ions present. This information is useful for choosing the right cleaner to break down materials. If the substance you want to remove is acidic (on the left side of the scale), you want to choose a cleaner that is alkaline (on the right side) to break down the acid and return it to a neutral pH where it can be more effectively cleaned. The same works for the other side as well, where acidic cleaners are good for removing alkaline debris.