Author Topic: Mixing your own recipes (Read 1278 times)

jmkreisle · « **on:** December 13, 2010, 04:23:40 PM »

Does anyone else mix thier own detergents? I make most of the stuff I use. In a video I posted of some nasty black greasy concrete, the detergent I made only cost me $3 for the entire restaurants sidewalks. It outworks ANY off the shelf stuff I've ever tried.

jmkreisle · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2010, 04:50:42 PM »

Here are some guidelines for understanding detergents/chemicals....

Chemistry
Types of cleaning chemicals

•   Soap
•   Surfactant
•   Abrasive
•   Oxidizer
•   Base (alkaline, caustic)
•   Acid

Soap: Is formed by reacting vegetable oil or animal fats with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.

Most cleaning agents today are not actually soaps but detergents.

Surfactants: Dissolve grease and wet surfaces.

They are usually organic compounds that have a hydrophobic end and a hydrophilic end. This allows them to bind to organic compounds on one end and water on the other pulling them into a solution. They lower the surface tension of water to increase surface to surface interaction.

Abrasive: Scouring.

Abrasives are used to add grit for scrubbing and scouring.

Common abrasives include sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and sodium silicate.

Oxidizers: Bleach, disinfect and breakdown organic chemicals.
An oxidizer is a chemical that gives up oxygen to another chemical.
Common oxidizers include peroxides and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).

Base: Used to break down organic compounds.

Unlike organic solvents which dissolve organic compounds, bases will destroy organic compounds.

Most common base used in cleaning is caustic soda, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), or potassium hydroxide.

Acids: Used for de-scaling or removing of inorganic compounds.

Acids work by giving up their hydrogen atoms (reducing) or giving up their oxygen’s (oxidizer) and forming salts.
Common acids used are acetic acid (vinegar) and hydrochloric acid (muratic).

ChemBright · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2010, 05:50:55 PM »

In the carpet cleaning world, I wouldn't even think about creating my own chemical. A cleaner can get in alot of trouble do that. I can see doing that when washing concrete though.

Gavin · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2011, 10:09:43 PM »

I like mixing chemicals =]

thanks for the good breakdown on cleaning chemical types.

GNU · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2011, 06:03:27 PM »

The way I see it.. carpets are no more than materials the same as clothing is made from... The only thing that will effer up a carpet is red socks in the whites.

Or adding too much starch to the undies.

I made my own chems for rinsing carpets for eons.
I also make a good anti-cig smoke, urine, deo's. chems too.
I personally think the carpet cleaning industry has gotten tooo damned parasitic IMHO.. Too many guys making the same stuff with a differant label on it and name. Some blatently ripp you off by watering their stuff down. others make darn sure you get what you pay for.

I had a tech years ago who used to be a stanly stinker guy. He had more calls a week to fix stuff that did not come clean or had odors so He used Tide clear and dreft to clean with and he never had one complaint since. But he got fired over it..
I did try it out with his magically formula. It did clean 400% faster, better than anything else in the cc industry to date. And not to mention not as dangerous to the cc workers..

I would do it again if there was an unscented detergent to use. Because my final rinse removes anything left in/on the fibers..

bjornskis · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2011, 07:45:08 PM »

most every thing you need is at chemistry store . com

you can buy your STTP aka Procyon or soap free

sodium per-carbonate

sodium borate aka 20 mule team borax

you coffee stain remover sodium bisulfite ( be very careful with this stuff can cause asthma attacks in some customers )

Gavin · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2011, 08:39:09 PM »

It's fun to see what industries use the same chemicals as you do.... In trying to find cheaper sources of chemicals, I now buy 50 lbs bags of soda ash for under $10 from a pool repair guy, and I get citric acid from a local "make your own soap" place.

bjornskis · « **Reply #7 on:** May 08, 2011, 09:52:23 PM »

soda ash ? what do you use that for $:-\$

Gavin · « **Reply #8 on:** May 09, 2011, 12:32:30 AM »

helps when you are trying to make something that has a neutral ph

Burtonblue75 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 11, 2011, 08:12:17 AM »

Quote from: NuTech Carpet Care on May 08, 2011, 06:03:27 PM

I had a tech years ago who used to be a stanly stinker guy. He had more calls a week to fix stuff that did not come clean or had odors so He used Tide clear and dreft to clean with and he never had one complaint since. But he got fired over it..
I did try it out with his magically formula. It did clean 400% faster, better than anything else in the cc industry to date. And not to mention not as dangerous to the cc workers..
I would do it again if there was an unscented detergent to use. Because my final rinse removes anything left in/on the fibers..

So you fired a guy for using Tide? If it works so good, why did you fire him...?
There is plenty of unscented stuff out there, why not use it now?

Quote from: CarpetCleaningBellingham on May 08, 2011, 08:39:09 PM

It's fun to see what industries use the same chemicals as you do.... In trying to find cheaper sources of chemicals, I now buy 50 lbs bags of soda ash for under $10 from a pool repair guy, and I get citric acid from a local "make your own soap" place.

So do you just use the citric acid for the inorganic stains?

bjornskis · « **Reply #10 on:** May 11, 2011, 10:16:04 AM »

I'm always kind of amazed how many stains just vinegar and water remove

Gavin · « **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2011, 10:24:53 AM »

If you look up the CD chemicals for the natural, you can see what I'm up to with the Soda Ash, Citric Acid and Baking soda. depending on how you mix it, you can influence the PH greatly to make a great brown out cleaner, or a good traffic lane cleaner, The regular mix works wonders. I used to work for CD and then I used Carbonated Solutions after I went out on my own.

Grant D. · « **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2011, 07:06:59 PM »

Do you guys hire somebody to make up your msds sheets for all your special brews?

bjornskis · « **Reply #13 on:** May 11, 2011, 07:53:29 PM »

how green is soda ash

GNU · « **Reply #14 on:** May 11, 2011, 08:37:57 PM »

Quote from: bjornskis on May 11, 2011, 07:53:29 PM

how green is soda ash

I beleive it is safe enough to eat.
Also CD had urea in their mix. more or less it is an enzyme.. and also forces a long term coarbonating action.

Burtonblue75 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 11, 2011, 11:47:55 PM »

Quote from: Grant D. on May 11, 2011, 07:06:59 PM

Do you guys hire somebody to make up your msds sheets for all your special brews?

When you buy bulk stuff you get MSDS with it

But... not combined ones, that would be cool to do. But most likely no one probably does unless they were thinking about franchising.
Most stuff out there will warn you if you can't mix it with other chems, and all the basic stuff mixes without too many KABOOMS!

Gavin · « **Reply #16 on:** May 11, 2011, 11:49:02 PM »

Quote from: Grant D. on May 11, 2011, 07:06:59 PM

Do you guys hire somebody to make up your msds sheets for all your special brews?

I keep msds of each ingredient.

Gavin · « **Reply #17 on:** May 11, 2011, 11:52:14 PM »

Quote from: Burtonblue75 on May 11, 2011, 11:47:55 PM

Quote from: Grant D. on May 11, 2011, 07:06:59 PM
Do you guys hire somebody to make up your msds sheets for all your special brews?
When you buy bulk stuff you get MSDS with it But... not combined ones, that would be cool to do. But most likely no one probably does unless they were thinking about franchising.
Most stuff out there will warn you if you can't mix it with other chems, and all the basic stuff mixes without too many KABOOMS!

fizz in your face, but no kaboom

Burtonblue75 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 12, 2011, 12:11:22 AM »

lol that just brought me back to middle school science class!! Yes, more of a Fizzle, kind of like a home made volcano. Bet ya that solution many kids use in science class work better than most cleaners out on the market hahaha

Gavin · « **Reply #19 on:** May 12, 2011, 12:15:22 AM »

I love the stuff, I'm sure everyone won't agree it's great,,,, but I think it's simple, safe, affordable, green,

GNU · « **Reply #20 on:** May 12, 2011, 12:33:48 AM »

Quote from: CarpetCleaningBellingham on May 12, 2011, 12:15:22 AM

I love the stuff, I'm sure everyone won't agree it's great,,,, but I think it's simple, safe, affordable, green,

No need to carry an MSDS for organic compounds..
And not a good idea to advertise to your competitors your little secrete... It only takes one report to "you know who" to have them up your bu*t.
And you dont want them to have an equal advantage over you in any way, shape or form..

Gavin · « **Reply #21 on:** May 12, 2011, 12:47:10 AM »

I don't have to mix it, I just buy it from Carbonated Solutions so CD can go after them if they want to, ohh wait they did, and LOST.

Burtonblue75 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 12, 2011, 01:04:44 AM »

Quote from: CarpetCleaningBellingham on May 12, 2011, 12:47:10 AM

I don't have to mix it, I just buy it from Carbonated Solutions so CD can go after them if they want to, ohh wait they did, and LOST.

So you Dont mix your own solutions? Wierd.. buying all the basic stuff is pretty cheap, so why buy from them if you can make it on your own?

Just so CarbSolu will be at blame not u if CD comes in with a latex glove?

Gavin · « **Reply #23 on:** May 12, 2011, 01:34:00 AM »

pre made packets are nice. and I get 100 gal for just under $100. it's good to know what's in the chemicals you are using though, and knowing how they will react with other residues or cleaning agents.

I have one Chinese restaurant that I have to prespray with degreaser and then hwe, I tried many different products and this is the only mix that would cut through the black grease, so think it feels sticky when you walk on it. I went with the spendy stuff first hoping the cost would mean it would work but it came down to LA's Totally Awsome from the $1 store. sure I had to use $20 of it. but here is the details for it.

Burtonblue75 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 12, 2011, 01:42:44 AM »

I literally just bought some of that stuff this evening... I was like man.. one $1 thats what Im talking about. I remember over a decade ago getting my first shoe shine while standing on my front porch from a salesman.. I bought some then and payed 2 for $35 and now 1 gallon for 1 dollar. Sure thing!

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Author Topic: Mixing your own recipes (Read 1278 times)