I recently did a test of various surfactants. To me they are very important. Here in California I am paying $30 a galllon. So I have been looking for something else.
I tested 5 different surfactants on asphalt shingles with an ideal even coverage of GM. My photo shows the test of each soap left to right A, B, C, D, E. Front to back are three shingles, day 1, day 2, and day 3, (to see how the SH held up) The first day I tested with the shingle at a typical 18 degree roof pitch, the next two days I laid the shingles flat, so even the watery surfactants had equal dwell time. I added a bit more surfactant than I normally would for roof cleaning but all the mixes had equal mix ratios. Here are the Surfactants:
A) Kirkland Signature environmentally friendly liquid dish soap. (far left)
This was the cheapest soap so I just bought it to try for the test (Costco) When I mixed it, it was about 4 times thicker than all the others so I thought I made a mistake and mixed another but the results were the same. (The second photo was after a week and a half with no pitch)
B) Dawn Advanced Power
Kinda pricy but a well known standard.
C) Gain
This is what I have been using. Its decent, Kinda pricy.
D) Palmolive liquid dish soap
I just threw this one in for kicks also, It was pretty much the worst in every way.
E) Roof Snot (far right)
I've used this quite a bit, I like it, it just costs too much so I mix it with Gain.
Considering the cost, SH compatibility and especially the way it thickened the mix, I know what I will be using. By the way I have no dog in any fight, these are just what I found in a personal test. I had the MSDS sent to me but for some reason the link is not working.
G Dog, the Kirkland stuff seemed to be the best to me. Try it yourselves and see what I mean. Al, how do the other surfactants compare with that system?
I have a feeling the negative things listed are probably typically listed for many similar products. I did receive the MSDS and it was through all the avenues you mentioned (I dont know what happened to the e-mail) I will contact the person who sent it and ask for a resend and post it here. In the mean time I would encourage others to do a quick test to see what I saw and confirm it. I have a case ready to roll this week.
I bet my cost in Cali is higher than the rest of the country.
-- Edited by Eric SCHNAIBLE on Sunday 4th of August 2013 06:06:39 PM
G Dog, the Kirkland stuff seemed to be the best to me. Try it yourselves and see what I mean. Al, how do the other surfactants compare with that system?
We need to see the MSDS Sheet for it. I found this, on a blog - ostco Kirkland Signature Eco Friendly Cleaner Ingredients
Costco lists all active agreements. Coconut and palm oils ingredients as well as natural plant oils are used. MSDS documents are tough to get. Calling Costco at 800-774-2678 lead to a recommendation to call their supplier for these products, Huish detergents – Sun Products, at 800-776-6702. You can call them and ask for the MSDS documents.
Costco follows the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) requirement of cleaning agent degrading. Biodegrades 70% in 28 days after functioning.
Costco has stated that “Palm and coconut products are purchased only from certified-sustainable plantations where deforestation and irreversible damage to the ecosystem are forbidden.”
Per the MSDS documents, the Multi Purpose Cleaner has Cocamide DEA (From coconut oil, toxicity) and d-limonene (major component of the oil extracted from citrus rind). They do not indicate how much is present.
The Liquid Dish Detergent has Ethanol. (On the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders)
I have a feeling the negative things listed are probably typically listed for many similar products. I did receive the MSDS and it was through all the avenues you mentioned (I dont know what happened to the e-mail) I will contact the person who sent it and ask for a resend and post it here. In the mean time I would encourage others to do a quick test to see what I saw and confirm it. I have a case ready to roll this week.
I bet my cost in Cali is higher than the rest of the country.
-- Edited by Eric SCHNAIBLE on Sunday 4th of August 2013 06:06:39 PM
It is normal for dishsoaps to have a little ethanol in them, to keep the fragrance dissolved in the soap. But some have a high percentage of Ethanol. How does this stuff smell ?
Charlie, I've tried the laundry soaps before and they were never as good as the dish soaps.
They never will be either, because dishsoap is much more concentrated then laundry soap is. Don't believe it ? Then dump some dishsoap in the washing machine, and see what happens