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Some floor cleaner samples are milky white while others are not.
Hi, I was stirring the floor cleaner and had the following strange phenomenon:
After being poured into bottles almost simultaneously over a period of time, some bottles developed white opaque fibers, while most remained clear.
The solution simply consists of ethoxylate L12, carbomer and thickened with TEA, adding preservatives.
Is there any microbial contamination in those bottles? I am planning to send the white turbid sample for microbiological testing. Any advice in this case?
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14 Replies
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What is your preservative? Is it active at the pH of your carbomer?
Is there any change in pH or odor?
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I used <em style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;”>TroyCare™ BD55 by Troy Corporation (Arxada), afaik it fine on my floor cleaner which pH approximate 7. I Tried sending samples for microbiological testing, but not 100% sure and this phenomenon has never happened before. I am really confused and need to hear ideas on the possibilities of what could be causing this phenomenon from everyone
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There are no significant changes in pH or environment during the process. about <12 hours . and only about 15% have the above phenomenon in the same stirring device. Specifically, out of 8 outputs, only 1 output has a milky solution about 70% of the time, then returns to normal.
The system has previously been used to dispense another type of floor cleaner without any problems.
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This sounds like there could be contamination in you filling machine. Has it been thoroughly cleaned between products.
If this is happening in less than 12 hours it is probably not microbial contamination.
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Can you pour the content of the good bottles in a glass jar, and then inside the fridge? If they also develop these white precipitates, then it has to do with the kraft point of your formula. For that, you could add some solubilizer.
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thanks for your idea, i will try it. but i dont think it has much to do with kraft point, Because the ambient temperature where I am is summer, about 32-35 degrees Celsius.
no one has the same idea as me about the possibility of microbial contamination? but microbial contamination in 2-3 hours causing the cloudiness as in the picture is it too fast?
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hi, i’m back. and i’d like to update more information:
* microbiological test results show no signs of contamination
* my sample was left in the oven at about 55 degrees, and i really can’t explain it, it’s a bit contrary to what i and you thought: right after taking the sample out the solution looked more opaque, and a bit clearer when it cooled outside.
i’m really confused, the next batch still had the same brewing and filling system as usual
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This reply was modified 1 month, 1 week ago by oldman20.
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This reply was modified 1 month, 1 week ago by
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The phenomena you describe about clarity and temperature is common for some non ionic surfactants.
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What’s the level of you non ionic surfactant in your formula? For dilute products it’s not that high, so perhaps you’re formulating a concentrated product.
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laureth ethoxylate 12 at 3%
But previous brews with the same ratio did not have this phenomenon, even the batch immediately following.
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Put in the oven samples without the issue, and check if they also become turbid.
And just in case, always premix your fragrance with your non ionic surfactant before adding it to the batch.
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I tried putting the same batch of the cloudy sample in a 60 degree oven (meaning the same solution but this sample is still clear) for 1 hour but nothing happened, it was still clear.
And thank for advice 2, i understand it
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prob not preservation as ketchito suggests.
BD55 is DMDM Hydantoin - a formaldehyde releaser that should be good enough -limited activity vs fungi esp. mold is prob covered with surfactant. However , it should only be used in cosmetics. Household cleaners are regulated by EPA. If you’re in US, you need Arxada’s EPA registered version of DMDM Hydantoin - Dantogard.
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Thanks for your comment
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