Question 1

What are household cleaners?

Accepted Answer

Household cleaners are products we use to make things in our home clean, like floors, dishes, or windows.

Question 2

Why do we need household cleaners?

Accepted Answer

We need household cleaners to remove dirt, germs, and stains to keep our homes tidy and healthy.

Question 3

How did people clean things before modern cleaners?

Accepted Answer

Before modern cleaners, people used natural things like vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda to clean.

Question 4

What is the main ingredient in many cleaners?

Accepted Answer

Many cleaners use water as the main ingredient because it's good at mixing with other cleaning stuff.

Question 5

Why do some cleaners have strong smells?

Accepted Answer

Some cleaners have strong smells because they have special chemicals to kill germs or because nice scents are added.

Question 6

Are all cleaning products safe to use?

Accepted Answer

Most cleaning products are safe if you use them right, but you should never mix them, and always ask an adult if you're not sure.

Question 7

What does 'disinfectant' mean?

Accepted Answer

A disinfectant is a type of cleaner that kills germs to help keep us from getting sick.

Question 8

Why is soap so good at cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Soap is great at cleaning because it helps mix water with dirt or oil, which makes it easier to wash away.

Question 9

What's special about vinegar as a cleaner?

Accepted Answer

Vinegar is special because it can break down some types of dirt and it helps kill some germs.

Question 10

Can lemon juice clean like vinegar?

Accepted Answer

Yes, lemon juice can clean like vinegar because it also has acid that helps remove stains and bad smells.

Question 11

How does baking soda help in cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Baking soda is helpful because it's a little rough, so it scrubs away dirt, and it also helps remove bad smells.

Question 12

What happens if you mix vinegar and baking soda?

Accepted Answer

When you mix vinegar and baking soda, it bubbles and fizzes, which can help clean drains by pushing out dirt.

Question 13

Are cleaning products different around the world?

Accepted Answer

Yes, people in different places might use different products based on what's common or available where they live.

Question 14

What are 'natural' cleaners?

Accepted Answer

Natural cleaners are made using things from plants or nature, so they don't have strong chemicals.

Question 15

When did people start using modern cleaners?

Accepted Answer

People started using modern cleaners in a big way in the 1900s when scientists made new chemicals to clean better.

Question 16

How do glass cleaners work?

Accepted Answer

Glass cleaners help make glass shiny by making it easy to wipe away spots and smudges without leaving streaks.

Question 17

Why do we use different cleaners for different things?

Accepted Answer

Different cleaners work best on different things because some dirt or stains need special help to get clean.

Question 18

What do 'antibacterial' cleaners do?

Accepted Answer

Antibacterial cleaners are made to kill bacteria, which are tiny living things that can sometimes make us sick.

Question 19

Can we make cleaners at home?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make simple cleaners at home using ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice.

Question 20

Why should kids always ask adults before using cleaners?

Accepted Answer

Kids should ask adults because cleaners can be dangerous if they're used wrong, so it's safer to have help.

The History and Chemistry of Common Household Cleaners - 20 FAQs Explained Simply