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Multipurpose Cleaner Spray
We are formulating a multisurface cleaner spray which has a ph of 11-12 at present. Since we want it to be used on all types of surfaces including Granite and Marble, we are bringing the pH down with Citric Acid to make it 7. Would it be considered safe for all surfaces being a neutral ph ? We are doubtful as there is a drastic bringing of pH down from 12 to 7. Would like to know if there would be any performance issues due to this? We tried Sodium Bicarbonate to bring the pH down but it leaves a white patch on the surface.
Thanks,
Pras
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19 Replies
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The cleaning performance of your formula would need to be tested. It is likely that you would see a decrease in cleaning performance by reducing the pH but how much would depend on the other components of your formula (e.g. surfactants / solvents etc).If you share your formula you might get more input. -
Performance wise its not degreasing like before but its okay. My only worry is that if it is safe to be used on all surfaces although now it is Neutral?
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Usually yes but the only way to know for certain that it is safe is to test it on those surfaces.Changing your surfactants could improve your degreasing performance.
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You can make a very effective multipurpose cleaner with a tiny % of ingredients, provided you use modern technology. With a pH that high it sounds as if you’re using antique tech.
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If you want to make a modern high tech cleaner I can help. But if it’s going to have to be some old fashioned thing with ammonia and SLS and so on, I’m uninterested.
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We are trying natural Multipurpose cleaner only. We would appreciate your help. Please send us your email id.
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‘Natural’ no, sorry.
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Check to see what ingredient makes its pH so alkaline,
because when neutralizing it, it’ll form a salt and salts often leave powdery or whitish residues.Glucosides leave little residues compared to other surfactants, especially the anionics like SLS/SLES.
Glucosides may fit in the “natural” narrative.If your local VOC regulations allow it, you can add some alcohol as a degreaser. It doesn’t leave any residue and it might be labeled “natural”, especially if the alcohol comes from vegetable products fermentation.
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We are using Glucosides and Sodium Carbonate which is making the pH high. We tried adding Ethanol but essential oils like Lemongrass we are using seem to be separating due to alcohol. If we keep the pH at 10, would it be safe for Granite / Marble ? We are seeing lot of stone cleaners with higher pH in the market. It’s really not clear if pH 9-10 is safe for precious stone cleaning.
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If it’s meant for commercial purposes,
You definitely need to conduct some tests.
Get some marble or granite pieces and begin experimenting yourself.
I personally think that neutral or slightly alkaline is safer for these stones.BTW Sodium bicarbonate won’t bring the pH down. An acid will.
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Belassi said:If you want to make a modern high tech cleaner I can help. But if it’s going to have to be some old fashioned thing with ammonia and SLS and so on, I’m uninterested.
Please what’s wrong with using SLES on multipurpose and what is the MHTC you are referring to
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It’s old fashioned, expensive, and does a very poor job. You can make a modern cleaner, biodegradable, streak free, that is basically 99% water. I don’t see why you would want to waste money.
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SLES may leave residues on surfaces. Glucosides are usually better.
Anyhow, you’ll just need to conduct some residue-on-drying tests for different surfactants and concentrations.
These tests are easy and (at least somewhat) fun. You’ll learn a lot from them. -
Is there any firm who would help with stabilising and fixing our current formulations and would help with safer Choice labels.
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Belassi said:It’s old fashioned, expensive, and does a very poor job. You can make a modern cleaner, biodegradable, streak free, that is basically 99% water. I don’t see why you would want to waste money.Dear I m new to this, so how can we make up efficient all purpose cleaner and with cost effective? Without SLES? Can you suggest and provide your ideas? Can you suggest some other forums or websites to learn more about formulation related to toiletries, ckeaning agents.Thanks advance
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Decyl Glucoside works fairly well for “safe/natural whatever labeling”. I was actually kind of surprised on how well it cleans up stains and grease. As far as cost effective, I don’t think that is the case.
I make a very high performance surface and disinfectant cleaner and honestly I don’t exactly have much experience. I use a combination of Borax and Ethoxylated Lauryl alcohol 9M. Lysol uses the same surfactant but the 3M version.
The pH of my formulation is somewhere around 9.5. Although I haven’t tested it on Marble and granite, it seems to be fine on all other surfaces.
Just read as many spec sheets as you can and you will see what the big companies are using.
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Gunther said:SLES may leave residues on surfaces. Glucosides are usually better.
Anyhow, you’ll just need to conduct some residue-on-drying tests for different surfactants and concentrations.
These tests are easy and (at least somewhat) fun. You’ll learn a lot from them.What about butyl carbitol ?
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Belassi said:It’s old fashioned, expensive, and does a very poor job. You can make a modern cleaner, biodegradable, streak free, that is basically 99% water. I don’t see why you would want to waste money.
Do you mean an enzyme cleaner
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Gunther said:Check to see what ingredient makes its pH so alkaline,
because when neutralizing it, it’ll form a salt and salts often leave powdery or whitish residues.Glucosides leave little residues compared to other surfactants, especially the anionics like SLS/SLES.
Glucosides may fit in the “natural” narrative.If your local VOC regulations allow it, you can add some alcohol as a degreaser. It doesn’t leave any residue and it might be labeled
@Gunther . As you say it becomes salt then will the ingredients, lose their cleaning properties at PH 7?
So there is no meaning of any cleaning products having ph 7. So what should do then?
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