Every workplace needs the right chemicals to stay clean, safe, and compliant — but choosing the correct product for each area can be confusing. Offices, foodservice operations, industrial plants, and janitorial teams all require different types of cleaners, disinfectants, and specialty solutions. This guide explains the main categories of commercial cleaning chemicals and helps you select the right products for your facility.
Before choosing a product, identify the primary “soil type” you’re trying to remove. Most commercial cleaning tasks fall into one of these categories:
Best suited for Janitorial Cleaners — everyday neutral or mildly alkaline cleaners designed for general surfaces and floors.
For kitchens, food prep areas, and restaurants, use Kitchen Degreasers. These break down fats and oils quickly without damaging surfaces.
Washrooms, high-touch areas, and care facilities require Disinfectants and Sanitizers that meet health standards for pathogen reduction.
Choose Acidic Bathroom Cleaners designed to remove scale, soap scum, rust, and mineral buildup.
Use Carpet Chemicals such as extraction cleaners, spotters, and pre-treatments.
Identifying soil type is the single most important step in picking the right chemical.
Papermake carries commercial-grade chemicals for a wide range of business needs. Use this section to match your requirements with the correct product category.
Ideal for offices, schools, washrooms, hallways, and general building maintenance. These include neutral floor
cleaners, multipurpose cleaners, and restroom products.
Browse Janitorial Chemicals »
Designed for restaurants, cafeterias, food plants, and any area dealing with oils, fats, and food residue.
Browse Kitchen Chemicals & Degreasers »
Ideal for hospitality, gyms, care homes, and industrial laundry equipment. Includes detergents, softeners, and
stain removers.
Browse Laundry Chemicals »
Includes extraction solutions, low-moisture cleaners, spot removers, and carpet protectors.
Browse Carpet & Floor Care Chemicals »
Formulated for garages, industrial shops, warehouses, and heavy-duty applications like degreasers, solvent
cleaners, and specialty products.
Browse Automotive & Industrial Chemicals »
For surface polishing, stainless steel maintenance, dusting aerosols, and specialty maintenance products.
Browse Aerosols & Polishes »
High-performance chemical solutions trusted by professional janitorial and industrial clients.
Browse Ultrachem Products »
Every chemical falls into one of three categories:
Best for removing scale, soap scum, rust, and mineral deposits.
Ideal for everyday cleaning where you want to protect surfaces and finishes.
Most effective on grease, oil, and organic soils — common in kitchens and industrial environments.
Rule of thumb:
Offices and general building maintenance → Neutral
Kitchens → Alkaline degreasers
Washrooms → Acidic or disinfectant formulas
Industrial work → Heavy-duty alkaline cleaners
Disinfectants are essential for:
Disinfectant: eliminates bacteria and viruses
Sanitizer: reduces bacteria to safe levels
For food-contact surfaces, use approved food-safe sanitizers.
Commercial chemicals are effective — but they must be used correctly. Always ensure:
Using chemicals at the wrong dilution can damage surfaces or reduce effectiveness, so always follow manufacturer guidelines.
Concentrated products allow you to:
Many Janitorial, Kitchen, and Ultrachem lines come in concentrated formulas.
Every facility is different. If you’re unsure which chemical is best for your environment, contact Papermake for expert recommendations based on industry, soil type, cleaning frequency, equipment, safety requirements, and budget.
Our specialists can also suggest cost-saving alternatives, concentrated products, or compatibility with your existing dispensers or equipment.
Papermake carries a full range of commercial cleaning chemicals from trusted brands, including specialized solutions for kitchens, industrial environments, carpets, washrooms, and more. Explore our categories below to find the right products for your facility:
