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  • Window cleaner leaves strikes 😥

    Posted by Levita on September 12, 2023 at 8:12 am

    Hey there,

    I have been trying to create a windows and glass cleaner, but I am constantly getting problems with slight streaks that are visible whenever you look through glass directly at the sun.

    In general, the formulation is

    2% alcohol isopropyl
    2% butoxyethanol
    0,2%-0,5% surfactant (I have tried many like Capryl/Caprylyl Glucoside, decyl glucoside, SLS etc)
    x% water

    It’s slightly better if I don’t use any surfactant, but still there are some streaks.
    I have a feeling that there is some antistatic ingredient missing.

    Any idea? Thank you so much!

    ketchito replied 3 months ago 6 Members · 10 Replies
  • 10 Replies
  • evchem2

    Member
    September 12, 2023 at 12:04 pm

    Is your water deionized? Salt content might be creating some streaks. Certain non-ionic surfactants are also recommended for window cleaners (ex Tomadol 901). What pH is your current formulation at?

    • Levita

      Member
      September 14, 2023 at 4:44 am

      Well, it’s a concentrate that you dissolve in tap water. Do you think using chelator might resolve the problem? What’s the best chelator and how much to use?

      MGDA would be ok?

    • Levita

      Member
      September 14, 2023 at 7:47 am

      I am for about 7 pH. Any suggestion about pH? Thank you!

  • ketchito

    Member
    September 13, 2023 at 6:40 am

    Try adding some chelants, like MGDA or GLDA. You shouldn’t have any issue with glucoside-based surfactants at low level.

    • Levita

      Member
      September 14, 2023 at 4:45 am

      Well, it’s a concentrate that you dissolve in tap water. Do you think using a chelator might resolve the problem? What’s the best chelator and how much to use?

      I have MGDA in powder. I will check it out.

  • PhilGeis

    Member
    September 14, 2023 at 9:23 am

    Please determine if distilled or deionized water shows the same problem.

  • Nate

    Member
    October 17, 2023 at 4:03 pm

    try adding small amounts of sodium carbonate and citric acid

  • sploshward

    Member
    November 6, 2023 at 8:15 pm

    @doodle cricket Please check to see if the issue persists in water that has been distilled or deionized.

    • Levita

      Member
      January 28, 2024 at 3:15 pm

      it does. Maybe the rubbing alcohol I had access too wasn’t pure as claimed.

  • ketchito

    Member
    January 30, 2024 at 5:48 am

    I’d add a chelant (like disodium EDTA) and keep the surfactant level to a minimum.

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