pH is how you measure acidity and alkalinity of a solution. Basically if a cleaning solution you are using has a low pH number then it has a higher concentration of acidity in it. If the pH value of a chemical you are using has a higher number then it has a higher alkalinity to it. The pH scale consists of numbers from 0-14 with 7 being neutral. 1-4 is higher in acidity while 5-7 is neutral and 8-14 is alkaline. Here is a better way to look at it.
You can see why understanding pH balances is important. You would not want to use a high acid cleaner on a laminate counter top because it can discolor the surface. While if you use a high alkaline product you can get a hazy look if you do not rinse the surface thoroughly. The best product to use for everyday cleaning is a neutral disinfectant, designed for multiple surfaces. Now there will be times that a standard neutral disinfectant will not remove that stubborn grease on the lasagna pan. That is why you would need to look into a chemical that has more powerful surfactants in them. I will explain about using surfactants on my next blog.
