Editing Cleaning

{{Short description|Activity that removes dirt and other particles from people, animals and objects}}
{{About|processes for removing unwanted physical substances|other uses|Cleaning (disambiguation)}}
{{multiple image|header=Several cleaning methods|caption_align=center|header_align=center
 | perrow=2
 | align = right
 | total_width = 380
 | image1 = Woman washing hands.jpg | caption1 = Hand [[washing]] (part of [[hygiene]])
 | image2 = Drycleanmachine.JPG | caption2 = A [[dry cleaning]] machine
 | image3 = Ultra Sonic Cleaner in(ThKraft).jpg | caption3 = [[Ultrasonic cleaning|Ultrasonic parts cleaning]]
 | image4 = Engineers Clean JWST Secondary Reflector with Carbon Dioxide Snow.jpg | caption4 = [[Carbon dioxide cleaning|Carbon dioxide snow cleaning]] in an aerospace setting
}}

'''Cleaning''' is the process of removing unwanted substances, such as dirt, infectious agents, and other impurities, from an object or environment. Cleaning is often performed for [[beauty|aesthetic]], [[hygiene|hygienic]], [[Function (engineering)|functional]], [[safety]], or [[environmental protection]] purposes. Cleaning occurs in many different contexts, and uses many different methods. Several occupations are devoted to cleaning.

==Contexts==
Cleaning occurs in various commercial, domestic, personal, and environmental contexts, which differ in scale and requirements.

* [[Commercial cleaning]], in business or other commercial settings
** [[Terminal cleaning]], in healthcare settings
* [[Housekeeping]], including [[spring cleaning]]
* [[Hygiene]], including [[personal grooming]]
* [[Environmental remediation]], the removal of pollution or contaminants from the natural environment

==Methods==
[[File:Kulutusosuuskuntien Keskusliiton kokoelma D1974 7644 (30878351716).jpg|thumb|A shop assistant washing a shop window in [[Jyväskylä]], [[Finland]] in the 1960s.]]
Cleaning is broadly achieved through mechanical action and/or [[chemical process]]es (usually [[solvation]]); many methods rely on a combination of mechanical and chemical action. Methods include:

* [[Washing]], usually done with water and often some kind of [[soap]] or [[detergent]]
** Mopping, usually using a [[mop]]
** Wiping, usually using a dry or moist piece of [[Textile#Cloth|cloth]] (such as [[toilet paper]], [[paper towel]] and [[wet wipe]])
** [[Pressure washing]], using a high-pressure stream of water
** [[Wet cleaning]], methods of professional laundering that avoid the use of chemical solvents
* [[Abrasive blasting]], typically used to remove bulk material from a surface, may be used to remove contaminants as well
* [[Acoustic cleaning]], the use of [[sound wave]]s to shake particulates loose from surfaces
** [[Ultrasonic cleaning]], using ultrasound, usually from 20 to 400&nbsp;kHz
** [[Megasonic cleaning]], a gentler mechanism than ultrasonic cleaning, used in [[Wafer (electronics)|wafer]], [[Implant (medicine)|medical implant]], and industrial part cleaning
* [[Carbon dioxide cleaning]], a family of methods for parts cleaning and sterilization using [[carbon dioxide]] in its various phases
* [[Dry cleaning]] of clothing and textiles, using a chemical solvent other than water
* [[Flame cleaning]] of structural steel, with an [[oxyacetylene]] flame
* [[Green cleaning]], using environmentally friendly methods and products
* [[Plasma cleaning]], using energetic [[plasma (physics)|plasma]] or dielectric barrier [[direct-current discharge|discharge]] plasma created from various gases
* [[Sputter cleaning]], performed in a vacuum by using physical [[sputtering]] of the surface
* [[Steam cleaning]], in both domestic and industrial contexts
* Sweeping, mechanical removal usually using a [[brush]]
* [[Thermal cleaning]], in industrial settings, involving [[pyrolysis]] and [[oxidation]]
* [[Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation]], which destroys [[microorganism]]s; used extensively in the medical and food industries
* Vacuum cleaning, using a [[vacuum cleaner]]

==Cleaning by item==
[[File:Conservation at the Church of Suceviţa.jpg|right|thumb|Surface cleaning in [[Conservation and restoration of cultural property|art conservation]]]]
[[File:Laundry in the river.jpg|thumb|[[Laundry]] in a river]]
[[File:Tooth polishing 9332.JPG|thumb|[[Teeth cleaning]]]]

Some items and materials require specialized cleaning techniques, due to their shape, size, location, or the material properties of the object and contaminants.

===Buildings and infrastructure===
* [[Beach cleaning]]
* [[Carpet cleaning]]
* [[Modern chimney cleaning|Chimney cleaning]]
* [[Crime scene cleanup]]
* [[Exterior cleaning]]
* [[Floor cleaning]]
* [[Graffiti removal]]
* [[Roof cleaning]]
* [[Silo cleaning]]
* [[Street cleaning]]

===Other items===
* [[Cleaning (coinage)|Coin cleaning]]
* [[Conservation and restoration of cultural property]], which often involves careful cleaning
* [[Jewellery cleaning]]
* [[Laundry]], the washing of clothes and other textiles
* [[Parts cleaning]], in industry
* [[Pot washing]], in food service
* [[Teeth cleaning]]
* [[Tube cleaning]]

==Occupations involving cleaning==
[[File:Sweeping the floor.jpg|thumb|Sweeping]]
Several occupations involve cleaning, either in their entirety or among other duties.
* [[Cleaner]]
* [[Dental hygenist]]
* [[Housekeeper (domestic worker)]]
* [[Janitor]]                                                                                                                                              
* [[Maid]]
* [[Property caretaker]]
* [[Property manager]]
* [[Fluffer (London Underground)|Fluffer]] (track cleaner on the [[London Underground]])

==See also==
{{wiktionary}}

===General===
* [[Cleaning (disambiguation)]], for other uses of the term
* [[Cleanliness]], an abstract concept for a state that may be achieved by cleaning
* [[Cleaning agent]], substances used in cleaning
* [[Contamination control]], of which cleaning is a part

===Biology and health===
* [[Cleaning symbiosis]], among living creatures
* [[Hygiene]], a set of practices performed for the preservation of health
* [[Sanitation]], techniques to protect human health by providing a clean environment
* [[Sterilization (microbiology)]], the elimination or deactivation of biological agents

===Organizing===
* [[Professional organizing]], improvement of organizing systems and processes
* [[Sorting]], any process of arranging items systematically

===Technologies===
* [[Cleanroom]], a room with low levels of particulates, used in specialized manufacturing or research
* [[Automated pool cleaner]]
* [[Central vacuum cleaner]]
* [[Robotic vacuum cleaner]]
* [[Self-cleaning floor]]
* [[Self-cleaning glass]]
* [[Self-cleaning oven]]

===Other contexts===
* [[Cleaning event]], in which solar panels on planetary rovers are cleaned by wind
* [[Cleaning validation]], used to assure that manufacturing residues are removed

<!--This is NOT A DISAMBIGUATION PAGE; it is a BROAD CONCEPT ARTICLE, and is subject to different style guidance than dab pages-->

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Broad-concept articles]]
[[Category:Cleaning| ]]