the idea behind cleaning is to remove the "dirt" from dirty dishes/clothes/etc. while some is actually dirt, most filth is residue of something encountered in nature that is not typically basic (food/juice stain, crumbs) or the presence of some kind of bacteria (which also prefer acidic environments). using a strong base counters both organic, microbial presence and the residue of other things acidic. once everything has been wiped out by the high pH, the characteristic "slipperyness" of alkaline substances coats the surface of individual particles, allowing them to be washed away with a rinse
|