| Acid |
A chemical substance whose properties include the ability to react with bases or alkalis in water solutions to form salts. |
| Alkali |
A chemical substance (such as hydroxide or carbonate of sodium or potassium) which reacts and neutralizes an acid. |
| Alkalinity |
A property of water soluble substances (or mixtures) causing the concentration of hydroxyl ions (OH-) in water solutions to be higher than the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+). |
| Amp |
Amperage |
| Amphoteric Surfactant |
A surfactant that may be either anionic or cationic in water solution, depending on the pH. |
| Anionic Surfactant |
A surfactant derived from an aliphatic hydrocarbon and usually a sodium salt, in which detergent and other properties depend in part on the negatively charged anion of the molecule; hence the name "anionic." |
| Antiredeposition Agent |
An ingredient used in laundry detergents to help soil from resettling on fabrics after it has been removed during washing. |
| Arch |
Inverted U-shaped device that sprays water and cleaning chemicals onto the top and both sides of a vehicle as it passes through a carwash. |