What factor primarily determines the effectiveness of a cleaning product?

The effectiveness of a cleaning product is largely determined by its active ingredients. These ingredients are specifically formulated to target and break down various types of dirt, grime, stains, and bacteria, allowing the product to perform its cleaning task efficiently. Active ingredients can include detergents, solvents, surfactants, and other compounds designed to interact chemically with the contaminants on surfaces.

While the pH level, type of surface, and water temperature can influence how well a cleaning product performs, they are secondary factors that can enhance or inhibit the action of the active ingredients. For instance, a cleaning product with strong active ingredients might perform reasonably well across varying pH levels and surfaces but will rely on those active components to initiate the cleaning process effectively. Therefore, the essential aspect that sets one cleaning product apart from another, in terms of effectiveness, is indeed the composition and potency of its active ingredients.