Pledge® pH Balanced Multisurface Cleaner

Alkyl polyglycoside is a widely used cleaning agent, or "surfactant," that is derived from sugar, and it can be found in many household cleaning products. It removes dirt by loosening it from a surface. It also aids in streak-free cleaning.

Ethanol is a solubiliser that can also be found in makeup, lotions, and hair care products. It works by dissolving the ingredients of a product to help them mix together better. It also can act as a carrier or as a cleaning agent that helps dissolve soils. Ethanol is the same alcohol that's found in alcoholic beverages, but in consumer products it is used in very small amounts to make the product work better.

Provides a liquid base for a product.

Citric acid is a builder that can also be found in a wide array of household products, including laundry detergents, shampoos, and cleaners. Of course, citric acid is also found in citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and limes. We use it to make a product formula clean better by affecting the molecules in the formula so that they work together better. Citric acid can also be used as a pH adjuster that alters the pH of a product to improve stability. Every formula has an optimum pH to make it work best. For example, a formula that’s more acidic works better for soap scum removal. Its opposite, a formula that’s more alkaline, might be more effective as a carpet cleaner. We use pH adjusters to make sure we achieve the best pH for a particular job. Also, the pH of a formula can affect how long it lasts within a container – for example limiting its tendency to corrode a can, container, or dispenser. We also sometimes use citric acid as a cleaning agent that removes hard water deposits, or as a chelator.