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  How to use HPMC as thickener for floor mop cleaner

  Posted by Nahlllailatul on March 1, 2023 at 12:25 am

  I make an alkaline floor mop cleaner. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is known as soap thickener and stable at high pH condition.

  I’ve tried both CMC and HPMC in the following formula:

  Item %

  HPMC 0,2% or CMC 0.2%

  Propylene Glycol 2.32%

  TEA 2%

  Sodium metasilicate 2%

  Polyethylene Glycol 3%

  CDEA 2.6%

  Phenoxyethanol 0,2%

  Benzalkonium Chloride 0,1% : 2%

  Fragrance 3%

  Dipropylene Glycol 2%

  Distilled water 82.88%

  HPMC in distilled water heated to 80°C and sprinkled into a vortex. Then the soap solution was poured into the HPMC thick solution and stirred. At first, I get soap solution with good thickeness. However, after leave the solution for 2-3 hours, the solution parted into 3 phase, the top second is thickened and the solution above and below it is thin as water.

  Does anyone have the same experience as me? Can you please suggest the best treatment while using HPMC?

  Thank you

  • This discussion was modified 3 weeks ago by  Nahlllailatul.
  • This discussion was modified 3 weeks ago by  Nahlllailatul.

  ozgirl replied 3 weeks ago 4 Members · 3 Replies
• 3 Replies

• 

  ketchito

  Member

  March 1, 2023 at 5:21 am

  Polyethylene glycol (depending on the type and at a dose similar to yours) helps thicken. Not sure it’s stable in alkaline conditions though. Could you try removing CMC or HPMC, and adding some Cocamidopropyl betaine? It has a viscosity response when mixed with CDEA.

• 

  chemicalmatt

  Member

  March 1, 2023 at 10:25 am

  Your phase separation issue might be due to all the BKC quat you have in there (why?), since cationics do not play well with CMC or metasilicate salts. This is a floor cleaner not a hospital sanitizer right? Try BIT instead or just Kathon, its cousin. I also see so much redundancy here: so many glycols in one place, why? These serve no purpose. This cries out for a glycol ether however. Ever hear of Dowanol glycol ethers? That’s the solvent strategy you need.

• 

  ozgirl

  Member

  March 1, 2023 at 5:42 pm

  Why are you using TEA (triethanolamine) and Sodium Metasilicate? Sodium metasilicate should give you enough alkalinity by itself.

  Do you mean Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether (Dowanol DPM) rather than Dipropylene Glycol?

  You also mention soap but I do not see any soap ingredient listed. Are you referring to CDEA?

  You seem to missing an ingredient as Benzalkonium chloride is listed as 0.1% with “:2%” directly after it?

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