What is the most effective substance to use for cleaning up a polymer spill on the floor?

When addressing a polymer spill, the most effective cleaning agent would typically be something that can break down or dissolve the polymer effectively. In this context, bleach can be particularly useful because it is a strong oxidizing agent. Certain types of polymers, especially those that are organic-based, can be partially degraded by the oxidizing properties of bleach. This makes it easier to cleanly remove the spill from the floor.

Using bleach can also assist in sanitizing the area after the polymer is dealt with, particularly important if the polymer could pose safety or health risks in the environment it was spilled in.

Water alone may not effectively break down the polymer and could, in some cases, exacerbate the spill, especially with water-sensitive polymers. Soap might help lift certain stains or residues but may not effectively deal with the polymer itself. Alcohol could potentially work on some types of polymers, but it is often not as effective as bleach in terms of breaking down and removing the thick, viscous material associated with many polymers.