Housekeeping chemicals list — names, uses and dilution
A practical reference to the cleaning chemicals used in housekeeping: what each cleaning agent is called, what it is used for, which surfaces it suits and roughly how much to dilute. Every product listed is manufactured by Aruvvi Chemicals at our unit in Vandalur, Chennai, so you can order the same list in 500 mL, 1 L and 5 L packs.
Housekeeping chemical names and what each is used for
| Chemical name | Type of cleaning agent | Used for | Surfaces | Typical dilution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disinfectant Cleaner | Disinfectant / sanitising cleaner | Killing germs on high-touch points and general disinfection of floors and surfaces. | Floors, door handles, railings, tables, washroom surfaces | Approx. 20–30 mL per litre of water for daily mopping; use neat on heavily soiled spots |
| Perfumed Sanitizer (Phynel) | Perfumed floor cleaner / white phenyl type | Daily floor mopping with a lasting fragrance in lobbies, rooms and corridors. | Tiles, marble, mosaic, granite, cement floors | Approx. 20–25 mL per litre of water |
| Black Phynel | Black phenyl / heavy-duty floor disinfectant | Service areas, drains, outdoor floors and areas needing strong odour control. | Cement floors, drains, garbage areas, parking, outdoor toilets | Approx. 30–50 mL per litre of water |
| Multi-Purpose Cleaner | All-purpose / glass and surface cleaner | Wiping counters, glass, furniture and stainless steel without streaks. | Glass, mirrors, laminates, steel, painted surfaces | Use neat in a spray bottle, or dilute 1:5 for light cleaning |
| Toilet Cleaner | Toilet bowl cleaner | Daily cleaning of WC pans, urinals and seats; removes stains and odour. | Ceramic pans, urinals, toilet seats | Use neat — apply under the rim, leave 5–10 minutes, brush and flush |
| Sanitizing Acid Cleaner | Acidic descaler / hard-water stain remover | Removing hard-water scale, yellow stains and mineral deposits in washrooms. | Ceramic pans, urinals, washroom tiles (not on marble) | Use neat on stains; always wear gloves and never mix with bleach |
| Dishwash Drops | Dishwash / kitchen degreaser | Washing utensils, crockery and cutlery; cutting grease in kitchens and pantries. | Utensils, steel, crockery, kitchen counters | A few mL per sink of water; use neat on greasy vessels |
| Detergent Liquid | Laundry detergent | Machine and hand washing of linen, uniforms, bedsheets and towels. | Cotton, polyester and blended fabrics | Approx. 30–50 mL per wash load, adjusted for soil level |
| Fabric Conditioner | Fabric softener | Softening linen and uniforms after washing and adding lasting freshness. | All washable fabrics | Approx. 20–30 mL in the final rinse |
| Fabric Whitener & Stain Remover | Laundry bleach / whitener | Restoring whiteness to bedsheets, towels and uniforms; treating stains. | White cotton and linen (spot-test coloured fabric) | Approx. 20 mL per bucket for soaking; rinse thoroughly |
| Hand Wash | Liquid hand soap | Refilling washroom, pantry and reception dispensers. | Hands | Ready to use — 5 L refill packs for dispensers |
| Sanitizer | Hand sanitizer | Hand hygiene at entries, reception desks and canteens where washing isn't practical. | Hands | Ready to use |
| Bleaching Powder | Chlorine disinfectant powder | Disinfecting water tanks, drains, garbage areas and open spaces. | Water tanks, drains, outdoor areas | Dose per tank volume; keep away from acids and metals |
| Caustic Soda Flakes | Alkali / drain opener | Clearing blocked drains, grease traps and heavy industrial soil. | Drains, grease traps (not on aluminium) | Add flakes to water — never water to flakes; use gloves and goggles |
Dilutions are practical starting points for normal soil levels. Ask us for the dilution chart for your facility, and always test on a small area first.
Types of cleaning agents in housekeeping
Floor care agents
- •Disinfectant Cleaner
- •Perfumed Sanitizer (Phynel)
- •Black Phynel
Washroom care agents
- •Toilet Cleaner
- •Sanitizing Acid Cleaner
- •Hand Wash
- •Sanitizer
Kitchen & pantry agents
- •Dishwash Drops
- •Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Laundry agents
- •Detergent Liquid
- •Fabric Conditioner
- •Fabric Whitener & Stain Remover
Bulk / industrial agents
- •Bleaching Powder
- •Caustic Soda Flakes
Safe handling basics
- •Never mix an acid cleaner with bleach or bleaching powder — it releases chlorine gas.
- •Always add caustic soda flakes to water, never water to flakes.
- •Wear gloves for acid, bleach and caustic products; add goggles for drain work.
- •Keep chemicals in their original labelled packs and out of reach of children.
- •Clean first, then disinfect — dirt reduces a disinfectant's effect.
- •Ventilate washrooms and closed rooms while working with strong cleaners.
Frequently asked questions
What are the chemicals used in housekeeping?
A standard housekeeping chemical list covers a disinfectant cleaner, a perfumed floor cleaner or phenyl, a black phenyl for service areas, a multi-purpose or glass cleaner, a toilet cleaner, an acidic descaler, a dishwash liquid, a laundry detergent with softener and whitener, a liquid hand wash and a sanitizer, plus bleaching powder and caustic soda flakes for tanks and drains.
What are cleaning agents in housekeeping?
Cleaning agents in housekeeping are grouped by chemistry: detergents (dishwash, laundry detergent), disinfectants and sanitisers (disinfectant cleaner, phenyl, bleaching powder), acids (descaler and toilet cleaner for hard-water scale), alkalis (caustic soda for drains and grease), and solvents or all-purpose cleaners for glass and surfaces.
What is the difference between a cleaner, a disinfectant and a sanitiser?
A cleaner removes visible dirt and grease. A disinfectant kills germs on a surface after it has been cleaned. A sanitiser reduces germs to a safe level and is usually used on hands or food-contact surfaces. Good practice is to clean first, then disinfect.
What pack sizes do these housekeeping chemicals come in?
Aruvvi supplies liquids in 500 mL, 1 L and 5 L packs, and powders such as bleaching powder and caustic soda flakes in 500 g, 1 Kg and 5 Kg packs. Drum quantities are available for large facilities on request.
How do I get a housekeeping chemicals price list?
Send the list of products and your approximate monthly quantity on WhatsApp to +91 94440 61811. We reply with a written quotation covering pack sizes, rates and delivery.
Are R1 to R9 codes the same as these products?
R-codes are just internal numbering used by some housekeeping teams for a bathroom cleaner, hard-surface cleaner, glass cleaner, furniture polish, floor cleaner and so on. Aruvvi products are sold by name rather than code, but the equivalents are listed in the table above so you can map your existing chart to our range.
Order the whole list from one manufacturer
Send us your housekeeping chemical list and monthly quantity — we quote rates, pack sizes and a fixed delivery schedule. All days, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM IST.