Average pH Levels of Common Cleaning Supplies

Acidic, Basic, and Neutral Cleaners by pH Level

By
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre is a housekeeping expert with over 20 years of experience cleaning residentially and commercially. Over that time, she has been writing about tips and tricks for housekeeping and organizing a home for national publications.
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Updated on 07/26/22
Reviewed by
Rhea Mehta
Dr. Rhea Mehta, PhD
Reviewed by Rhea Mehta

Rhea Mehta, PhD, is an award-winning toxicologist who has worked to empower people to lead healthier lives, starting in their homes, for over a decade. Rhea holds a PhD in Toxicology, with over 15 scientific publications, and a certificate in integrative health coaching. 

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Cherisse Harris
Cherisse Harris
Fact checked by Cherisse Harris
Cherisse Harris is a fact-checker with a focus on lifestyle, beauty, and parenting. She's worked in research for nearly two decades.
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group of household cleaners

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Knowing the pH or how alkaline or acidic household cleaners are can help you when cleaning around the house. Alkaline solutions are better at cutting through dirt, grease, proteins, oils, and other organic items. Acids are better for removing calcium, rust, and other minerals. Dish soap comes closest to being a neutral cleaner. Read on to learn about the pH levels of bleach, ammonia, and other standard household cleaning supplies.

ph levels of common household cleaners

The Spruce / Wenjia Tang

  • 01 of 11

    Chlorine Bleach: pH 11 to 13

    chlorine bleach bottle

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    Chlorine bleach nearly tips the scale all the way to the top of the alkaline level. Because it's near one of the ends of the pH scale, we know it is corrosive and will require you to use proper ventilation when being used. Bleach is not safe to use on many surfaces including some fabrics. On the other hand, bleach is fantastic at whitening and removing stains.

    Warning

    Do not mix bleach with other cleaning supplies or chemicals as toxic gasses can be emitted, causing coughing, nausea, eye irritation, chest pain, and other symptoms. Always use in a well-ventilated area, and wear gloves when using bleach as this chemical can be absorbed through the skin.


    When using any household cleaning product, you should always check the ingredients before mixing them with others, as bleach is often included as an ingredient.

  • 02 of 11

    Ammonia: pH 11 to 12

    measuring cup of ammonia

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    Ammonia is another highly alkaline substance with a pH around 12.  Ammonia also can be corrosive and needs to be used in a highly ventilated area. Ammonia is not safe to be mixed with other ingredients.  Harmful gasses will result. Ammonia can work wonders with tough dirt and grime, making it a formidable cleaner.

    Warning

    Do not mix ammonia with bleach or any other cleaner, and always use it in an area that is well ventilated. Gloves should be worn when using ammonia as it can irritate and burn your skin. It is also harmful to the eyes, lungs, and mouth.

  • 03 of 11

    Oven Cleaner: pH 11 to 13

    person cleaning an oven

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    Most oven cleaners are just as alkaline as ammonia giving them great power to cut through tough grease and grime. Of course, at the top of the alkaline scale, extreme care needs to be taken when using oven cleaner.

  • 04 of 11

    Tub and Tile Cleaner: pH 11 to 13

    person cleaning a tub

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    Tub and tile cleaner is another alkaline substance that removes dirt and grime effectively but can be corrosive. Be sure to use caution and ventilate the room where you are using tub and tile cleaner.

    Continue to 5 of 11 below.
  • 05 of 11

    Borax: pH 10

    container of borax

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    With a 10 on the pH scale, Borax is not as corrosive as some of its cousins like bleach and ammonia. But Borax is still an alkaline substance, good at breaking down oils and organic dirt. This is one of the reasons that Borax makes such an effective laundry booster.

  • 06 of 11

    Baking Soda: pH 8 to 9

    measuring cup of baking soda

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    Baking soda is an alkaline substance, too. But just barely. Because baking soda has enough alkalinity to power through grease and dirt, but not enough to make it corrosive, it can be a great option to use in many places in your home.

  • 07 of 11

    Mild Dish Soap: pH 7 to 8 (Neutral Cleaner)

    small cup of dish soap next to plates

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    When it comes to neutrality, mild dish soap usually hits the mark perfectly. If your dish soap is labeled mild, gentle, or great for hands, chances are its pH level is somewhere right around 7. This mildness makes dish soap perfect for day to day cleaning. Most surfaces won't be damaged by dish soap, and there are a lot of places it can be used besides in the kitchen sink.

  • 08 of 11

    Stone Cleaner: pH 7 to 10

    person scrubbing a natural stone floor

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    Most stone cleaners are usually around a 7 for their pH level as well. Since stone surfaces can be damaged by pHs that are too alkaline or too acidic, manufacturers usually produce a neutral pH. Be careful, though. Some stone cleaners can have pHs all the way up to 10.

    Continue to 9 of 11 below.
  • 09 of 11

    Vinegar: pH 3

    spray bottle of vinegar

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    And on the other end of the pH scale, we have vinegar. Vinegar is acidic which makes it great for removing mineral deposits but also makes it possible for it to damage some surfaces, including stone. Many people mistakenly believe that vinegar is a perfect all-purpose cleaner, but surfaces that can be damaged by acids are not good candidates to be cleaned with vinegar.

  • 10 of 11

    Lemon Juice: pH 3

    lemon juice

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    Lemons, like vinegar, are very acidic. And while there are many surfaces like copper pots and drains which benefit from the acidic cleaning and fresh lemony smell, there are others that can be damaged. Take care with using lemons on stone surfaces or near grout.

  • 11 of 11

    Toilet Bowl Cleaner: pH 1 to 3

    person using toilet bowl cleaner

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    Toilet bowl cleaner is another acidic cleaner that helps break down and remove mineral and other non-organic substances. Because of its acidic level, caution and ventilation will be needed. Some toilet cleaners can have a pH that is very close to 0. Because they are at the end of the pH scale, use extreme care when using.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. World Health Organization. Annex G, Use of disinfectants: alcohol and bleach. In Infection Prevention and Control of Epidemic- and Pandemic-Prone Acute Respiratory Infections in Health Care. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2014.

  2. Dangers of Mixing Bleach with Cleaners. Washington State Department of Health.

  3. Ammonia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  4. PubChem compound summary for CID 16211214, Borax. National Center for Biotechnology Information.