pH: The Measurement of Alkalinity and Acidity

“pH” is the chemist’s shorthand for “Potential of Hydrogen” or “Power of Hydrogen”.

There is nothing magical about the term It is the measurement used to determine the relative alkalinity, acidity or neutrality of a solution. Lower pH values correspond to solutions which are more acidic in nature, while higher values correspond to solutions which are more basic or alkaline.

The pH of aqueous solutions can be measured with a glass electrode and a pH meter, with a color-changing indicator or with color-changing pH test paper.

Please note the upper pH limit of 10 for stain-resist nylon carpet. Yet, all other things being equal, the higher the pH, the better the cleaning.

Also, note that there is a 10-fold increase in alkalinity or acidity for each pH unit change. In other words, a solution at a pH of 14 is 10,000,000 times as alkaline as one at a pH of 7.

Note the very low pH of vomit. Because of its low pH, any staining agent in vomit will be MUCH more difficult to remove, because the lower the pH, the more set a dye will be. Just a pleasant thought before dinner!

• Acid Rinse / Brown Out Flush
• Alkali / Alkaline
• Chemistry of Carpet Cleaning Detergents

• pH Test Paper Kit