Meaning & use
abrasive cleaner
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
A cleaning product containing rough particles that remove dirt or a thin surface layer by rubbing.
Grammar: Countable: use 'an abrasive cleaner' or 'abrasive cleaners'.
Patterns
- use an abrasive cleaner on something
- an abrasive cleaner for something
For burnt food on the pan, use an abrasive cleaner and a stiff brush.
This abrasive cleaner is too harsh for non-stick surfaces.
She bought an abrasive cleaner to remove the marks from the sink.
Word forms
| plural | abrasive cleaners |
|---|
Common combinations
- use an abrasive cleaner
- You should use an abrasive cleaner only on tough stains.
- a mild abrasive cleaner
- A mild abrasive cleaner won't scratch the enamel.
- an abrasive cleaner for
- This is an abrasive cleaner for metal surfaces.
- abrasive cleaner on
- Never put abrasive cleaner on glass.
Synonyms and how they differ
- scouring powder
- A dry abrasive cleaner in powder form, often sprinkled on surfaces.
- scouring pad
- A rough pad used with an abrasive cleaner, not the cleaner itself.
Word family
Commonly confused: abrasive cleaner or abrasive personality?
abrasive cleaner vs abrasive personality
This means a rude or harsh manner, not a cleaning product.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'abrasive cleaner' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option B is correct because an abrasive cleaner can scratch non-stick surfaces. Option An is wrong because abrasive cleaners are not for delicate items. Option C describes a smell, not the product's function. Option D uses 'cleaner' to mean a person, which is not the meaning here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “abrasive cleaner”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.