The simple safety checklist:

• Read the label before purchasing any chemical. Understand the correct use and the dangers posed by the chemical.
• Choose the least dangerous product that will do the job, especially if children are present.
• Lock chemicals in a cabinet out of the reach of children. Remember children are curious, inventive and good climbers.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Handle with extreme caution.
• Use recommended protective equipment: gloves, safety goggles, trousers and long-sleeved shirts are a minimum. Ensure adequate ventilation.
• Seal chemicals in their original containers.
• Do not reuse empty containers or repack product in different containers.
• When recharging car, motorcycle or boat batteries, loosen the caps on the battery cells, ventilate the area, turn off all electrical appliances in the vicinity.
• Do not mix chemicals.
• Do not prepare more chemical than you need for the job.
• Do not use chemicals for jobs for which they are not intended.
• Do not pour chemicals down the drain, the toilet or the gutter.
• Do not use tools that generate heat or sparks near flammable items.

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Components

Because each restaurant kitchen is different, no cleaning checklist will be alike. But in general, a dishwasher is usually responsible for cleaning pans and utensils, then cleaning and sanitizing the dish cleaning area. Food preparation workers clean sinks, cutting boards and other food contact surfaces. They also wipe down food storage areas and thoroughly clean equipment such as meat slicers and mixers. Line cooks clean and sanitize their work areas. Cooks also clean fryers, grills and ventilation filters. More generic duties such as taking out trash, sweeping and mopping floors and wiping down storage shelves might be split among various employees. A daily cleaning checklist should also include space to add additional duties that are usually handled weekly or monthly.

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When to use them: These types of cleaners are primarily designed to remove stains, dirt, and contamination that are soluble in an acidic solution. They are especially effective for removing efflorescence on concrete, an insoluble metallic salt that appears as a white powder or crystalline residue on the concrete surface and will not wash away in plain water. Exposure to hard water, a high salt content in the concrete, and high soil alkalinity are common causes of these types of stains.

How they work: As you might expect, acidic cleaners contain acid as the active ingredient. They come in both concentrated and ready-to-use formulations and are applied directly to the contaminated area. Sometimes scrubbing or agitation is needed, and stubborn stains may need additional applications. It is critical to neutralize the concrete after cleaning with an acid-based cleaner, followed by a clean-water rinse. Consider using a sealer to protect the area from future alkaline or salt contamination.

Where to get them: Acid based concrete cleaners are available at most specialty concrete distribution outlets. Diluting standard muriatic acid is a widely used and accepted type of acidic cleaner. It is important to note that over-the-counter cleaners like Lime Away and soap-scum removers are designed to clean similar types of contamination in a bathroom environment, but do not contain acid, so they may not be as effective on concrete.

Alkaline cleaners

When to use them: Also known as “concrete degreasers,” alkaline cleaners are most often used to eradicate oil, grease, or other hydrocarbon-based stains in concrete. The high alkalinity of these cleaners emulsifies, or breaks down, the oily contamination. The other application for alkaline cleaners is to neutralize concrete surfaces after acid staining or acid cleaning. Alkaline cleaners are the best way to bring the pH of concrete from acidic to alkaline, which is concrete’s natural state. Modern alkaline soaps and cleaners far exceed the neutralizing ability of the old-school method of baking soda and water. They are economical too, since 1 gallon of cleaner fully diluted will treat approximately 4,000 square feet of concrete.

How they work: Alkaline cleaners typically come as concentrates and are diluted with water, depending on how aggressive the stain is. Apply the cleaner full strength for deep or older stains, and dilute it for newer stains that haven’t penetrated far. Agitation or scrubbing to work the cleaner into the oil stain is critical for good results. A common mistake when using alkaline cleaners is to not allow enough time for the cleaner to work. Depending on the type and depth of the oil stain, multiple applications may be necessary, with each being allowed to work for a few hours to get acceptable results. Another important step when using alkaline cleaners is to “lift” the oil stain out of the concrete once the stain has been emulsified. You can use an industrial wet vac, poultice, or rags. Remove the residue with clean water, and reapply more cleaner if needed until the stain is gone.

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