What is acetone? Everything about the detergent acetone

• characteristics
• The right way
• Use acetone
  • Clean metals
• panacea
  • as a mold remover
  • as a stain remover
  • as grill lighter
• Tips for quick readers

Acetone is a widely used cleaning agent. It is used in a similar way to benzine for loosening dirt of all kinds. Properly applied, it can be highly effective. However, acetone can cause great damage if used incorrectly. This applies to both the cleaned items as well as for your own health. Read in this text everything about what matters when dealing with acetone.

Acetone is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor. It is a very effective solvent and is often used to clean surfaces. It is a by-product in the production of Plexiglas and therefore available in large quantities and very reasonably priced. Acetone is volatile and very easily combustible. That does not make it completely harmless.

Acetone is a substance that is produced in small quantities in nature. Raspberries, for example, are relatively rich in acetone because they owe their fragrance to this substance. Also, one's own human body is capable of producing acetone under certain circumstances. This has both good and bad qualities: It is absorbed by the body and also broken down, but can lead to serious health problems in case of an overdose.

Acetone was first synthesized in 1606. For its production over the years various procedures were used. For a long time, its extraction from wood was the most common form of production. Today, acetone is mainly used in the production of Plexiglas. For its production, chemical processes are used. Roughly speaking, acetone is a modification of alcohols, which also explains its solubility in water and its good receptivity to the human body.

Residues of acetone are considered hazardous substances. It must therefore always be disposed of professionally. In addition to the points of sale, the points of sale of acetone are obliged to accept the remaining quantities. Simply dumping it in the sink or getting it in the great outdoors is severely punished.

Use of acetone

Acetone is a chemical for which numerous applications have been found. The most common uses of acetone today are:

• Solvents for resin, oil, and fatty buildup
• Cleaning agents for surfaces, machines and pipes
• Brush off colors on furniture
• Degreasing surfaces for paint preparation
• Degreasing boards in electronics
• Synthesizing chemical products
• Production of acrylic materials
• Ingredient for plastic glue (softener, the evaporation of acetone cures the glue)

characteristics

Acetone is colorless, has an intense smell reminiscent of raspberries and is easily flammable. Its boiling point is 56 ° C. However, gradual evaporation starts at about 20 ° C. Then acetone produces a highly flammable atmosphere in its environment. In addition, it already attacks the surrounding surfaces. Acetone freezes at -95 ° C. However, it can be ignited at temperatures as low as -20 ° C. Acetone can be diluted as required. That may be useful for its application. Acetone is poisonous and harmful to the skin. It is not carcinogenic.

The right way

Improper handling of acetone is likely to cause short-term and long-term dangers. In the short term, inhaling acetone can cause dizziness or even loss of consciousness. On contact with skin, the cleaning agent degreases very much, which can lead to eczema. In addition, it is easily absorbed by the skin and enters the bloodstream. Again, it can cause nausea and dizziness.

Protective measures when handling acetone

The most important protective measure when working with acetone is to ensure good ventilation. Windows must be opened and set to "Pull". If larger amounts of acetone are used, an additional fan can help reduce contact. In the professional application of acetone, deaeration and extraction systems are mandatory.

Use acetone

Acetone for cleaning the nails

Acetone is often used as a nail polish remover. The product bought under the name is already diluted, so that direct skin contact is not so dangerous. If the pure acetone is to be used, we recommend a dilution of 50:50. Acetone is not the healthiest for the nail itself. A cotton swab is best for removing.

Clean plastics with acetone

The cleaning of plastics with acetone is particularly delicate. It is always tempting to wipe them liberally with acetone on a oily or gummy plastic surface. But you can experience a nasty surprise. For example, polystyrene dissolves completely by the addition of acetone. Under certain circumstances, this may be wanted - PU foam guns, molds or unwanted adhesions with this foam plastic can thus be cleaned very well.

Which type of plastic was used on the product that you want to clean you can easily determine: On every plastic product you will find a small triangle. Underneath is a letter combination. This is the plastic used.

Here we list what plastics are compatible with acetone and which do not:

• HDPE: These are "High Density Polyethylene". It is used for the production of sheets and pipes. Sheets and bottles are also made from them. It is very resistant to acetone.
• LDPE: These are "low-density polyethylenes". It has a lower density than HDPE, making it lighter. However, it also has only a limited resistance to acetone.
• PA: This is polyamide, which is known primarily as "nylon". In addition to the famous stockings, many technical products are made from them. It is very resistant to acetone.
• PC: Polycarbonate is a plastic compound with carbon parts. It is used for high-tech, transparent plastic applications. The windows of aircraft or CD blanks are made for example of PC. Acetone is absolutely not suitable for its cleaning. It instantly dims and dissolves.
• PP: Polypropylene is a more widely used universal plastic. It is used for solid and foamed products. It can be cleaned well with acetone.
• PVC: Polyvinyl chloride is used to make floor coverings and other products. It is widely used. It can not be tolerated with acetone. This is especially true for the soft PVC products. They are immediately dissolved by acetone and cause discoloration and holes.
• Silicone: With silicone, however, the use of acetone is harmless. It can be used quite well against mold infestation of silicone joints.

If one is not sure how the acetone behaves with the plastic, only one test helps: a dark cloth soaked in acetone is rubbed over the plastic in an inconspicuous place. If you also rub off material from the surface, you should not go on. If the plastic remains unimpressed by acetone, it can be safely used. This can lead to the fact that heavily soiled plastic items are placed in an acetone bath for hours to clean them.

Clean metals

When it comes to metals, too, you have to use expert knowledge and caution when working with acetone. Although acetone is completely uncritical when cleaning aluminum, iron and stainless steel. For copper and copper-containing metals, however, acetone triggers immediate corrosion. This makes the acetone even when cleaning bronze or brass only partially suitable. Both mixed metals have large amounts of copper and can discolor by treatment with acetone.

Clean coated metals with acetone

Metals can be coated in many different ways. If you want to have high-gloss products, often galvanic processes such as chrome plating are used. Galvanized surfaces are not very nice, but very resistant to corrosion. Both types of coating work well on acetone cleaning.

Bonded surfaces through veneers and foils can react differently:

• The color can dissolve
• The coating itself may dissolve
• The adhesive of the coating may come off

Since stickers or adhesive films are always mixed materials, the use of acetone is not recommended here.

Powder-coated surfaces react very differently to cleaning tests with acetone. When powder coating a product, usually made of metal, is sprayed with a fine powder. It is then heated in an oven to the melting point of the powder. The powder dissolves and forms a closed surface. It is a cheap and fast way to make a closed and glossy surface A powder coating usually also has good anti-corrosion properties. When using acetone, it is important to know in advance which plastic powder the product was coated with. You can choose from:

• Polyurethane: The use of acetone is not recommended
• PVC: The use of acetone is not recommended
• Acrylic: The use of acetone is not recommended
• Polyamide: The use of acetone is harmless

In summary, acetone should be avoided for cleaning surfaces of products coated with plastic powder.

Acetone on painted surfaces, especially when it comes to two-component paints, can quickly lead to serious damage. It is more suitable for paint stripping or degreasing if a product is to be repainted.

Again, it can be determined with a small test in an inconspicuous place, whether acetone is suitable for cleaning the surface.

panacea

as a mold remover

The good news is: Acetone is highly effective as a mold killer. It penetrates deeply into the infested areas and fights the spores to their roots. However, it is more effective the less undiluted it is used. This makes its handling very difficult. In order to carry out an effective mold control on a wide area, a lot of acetone has to be used and, at the same time, a long-lasting ventilation must be guaranteed. Otherwise not only health damages threaten. In enclosed areas, the generous use of acetone causes, above all, a great danger of explosion. We therefore recommend to abstain from acetone for mold control. Chlorine, for example, is just as effective, but at least at the risk of fire much less dangerous. Good ventilation is also mandatory when using chlorine.

as a stain remover

Treating stains from upholstery or clothing with acetone is a big risk. If anything else, such as washing or stain remover, has not helped, an attempt can be made. For this, however, should always be checked at an inconspicuous place how the substance tolerates the acetone. Coverings of upholstery are always removed before treatment with acetone: even if the acetone is compatible with the fabric, the underlying foam will certainly be dissolved by the acetone.

as grill lighter

Acetone can certainly be used to ignite an unruly hard coal or slightly damp wood. However, all precautions should be observed. We strongly advise against using acetone for this. The commercial grill lighter are much less dangerous and better suited for this purpose. It can also not be ruled out that the acetone spoils the grilled meat in terms of taste. The acetone must never be poured directly into the fire or the remaining heat! This is a free ticket to the hospital with severe burns.

Attention

Acetone is a cheap but very dangerous cleaner. It urgently needs to be kept out of the reach of children. Especially little guys like to "spin". When playing with open fire, acetone can quickly cause serious to fatal injuries. Even adolescents should be denied access to acetone. In other countries, the use of acetone as a "sniff" has already led to a massive drug problem. Abuse of acetone can even cause permanent brain damage. Never underestimate this remedy, even if it is cheap and highly efficient. A liter of acetone costs just three to five euros. Nevertheless, it is a dangerous substance that needs to be handled responsibly.

Tips for quick readers

• Keep out of reach of children
• previously test in inconspicuous places
• to use properly
• always provide good ventilation
• Do not smoke when using acetone
• use sparingly and dilute if necessary