Solvent selection decision tree

Choose the right cleaning chemistry for any task.

START HERE: What kind of mess are you dealing with?

1. Is the mess OILY, GREASY, or STICKY?

(cooking oil, fingerprints, body oils, lotion, waxy residue)

→ YES → Use a SURFACTANT

• Castile soap
• Decyl/coco glucoside
• Soap nuts (saponins)

Optional boosters:

• Mild base (baking soda) for heavy grease
• Citrus aromatics for degreasing lift

→ NO → Go to Step 2

2. Is the mess MINERAL‑BASED?

(hard water scale, soap scum, cloudy glassware, kettle deposits)

→ YES → Use an ACID or CHELATOR

• Vinegar
• Citric acid
• Sodium citrate

Logic:

Minerals dissolve in acid and bind to chelators.

Avoid on:

• Marble
• Granite
• Some metals

→ NO → Go to Step 3

3. Is the mess PROTEIN‑ or ORGANIC‑RESIDUE‑BASED?

(food residue, baked‑on mess, odors, mildew)

→ YES → Use a BASE

• Baking soda
• Washing soda
• Borax

Logic:

Bases break down fats + proteins and neutralize odors.

Optional boosters:

• Surfactant for lift
• Herbal antimicrobials for odor control

→ NO → Go to Step 4

4. Is the mess MICROBIAL?

(moldy corners, bathroom mildew, funky laundry, cutting boards)

→ YES → Use HERBAL ANTIMICROBIALS

• Thyme
• Oregano
• Tea tree
• Lavender
• Rosemary

Logic:

Phenolics + terpenes disrupt microbial membranes.

Optional boosters:

• Surfactant (for biofilm)
• Acid (for mineral‑rich bathroom grime)

→ NO → Go to Step 5

5. Is the mess GENERAL SOIL or DUST?

(floors, countertops, walls, everyday dirt)

→ YES → Use a SURFACTANT or MILD ACID

• Castile soap (universal cleaner)
• Mild vinegar solution (non‑stone surfaces)

Optional boosters:

• Aromatics for sensory uplift
• Chelators for hard water

→ NO → Go to Step 6

6. Is the mess ODOR‑BASED?

(trash bins, laundry, pet areas, fridge smells)

→ YES → Use BASES + ANTIMICROBIALS

• Baking soda
• Borax
• Thyme, lavender, citrus peel

Logic:

Odors = volatile organic compounds + microbes.

→ NO → Go to Step 7

7. Is the mess RESIDUE or FILM?

(sticky counters, soap film, streaks)

→ YES → Use SURFACTANT or ACID depending on source

• Sticky sugar/oil → surfactant
• Soap film → acid
• Hard water film → acid + chelator

→ NO → Go to Step 8

8. Is the mess on a DELICATE SURFACE?

(stone, wood, cast iron, unfinished surfaces)

→ YES → Use GENTLE SURFACTANTS or NEUTRAL CLEANERS

• Castile soap (diluted)
• Neutral pH cleaners
• Avoid acids + strong bases

→ NO → Use the strongest appropriate chemistry from above

Quick‑Pick Summary for Students

Use a SURFACTANT when…

• It’s oily, greasy, sticky, or grimy.

Use an ACID when…

• It’s mineral‑based (scale, soap scum, deposits).

Use a BASE when…

• It’s organic residue, baked‑on mess, or odor‑related.

Use a CHELATOR when…

• Hard water is interfering with cleaning.

Use HERBAL ANTIMICROBIALS when…

• Mold, mildew, or microbial odor is present.

Use AROMATICS when…

• You want sensory uplift or deodorizing support.