Undissolved Washer Detergent Sign of Bad Seal?
Q: We are having issues with undissolved detergent that is persisting. We make sure the compartment is dry before use. Can we try a liquid?
A: It sounds like you have a cup in door washer for the powdered detergent. The seals there are not designed to hold a liquid – of course some seals are better than others, but they are more for powders and gels (think home dishwasher gel at home).
How To: Clean Molybdenum
Q: We have started to qualify Alconox Precision Cleaner for our clean line to clean parts for ultra high vacuum applications. Worked great on the stainless parts. But, when we tested an old molybdenum platen with a bead blasted metallic surface, it went black. Do you have a recommendation?
A: While metallic molybdenum is not generally reactive to water or alkaline solutions for the most part, it may be reacting with the phosphates in the Alconox® Powdered Precision Cleaner.
Specific Formulations for Cold Water Cleaning?
Q: I’m looking for detergents similar to Liquinox and Citranox, that are specially formulated for cold water cleaning conditions. Can you recommend analogs to the two?
A: For most residues, the detergency of an aqueous detergent is enhanced and hastened by heat.
Bleach and Detojet?
Q: We have a washer that use both Detojet and a bleach cycle. We would like to optimize. Can we combine? We have read the “Bleach with Detergents for Disinfection?” article. A: A key component of Detojet® Low Foaming Liquid Detergent is indeed sodium hypochlorite (per the SDS 2.5-10%).
How to: Clean Carbomer
Q: We are having difficultly cleaning carbomer gel residue from our equipment. What do you recommend?
A: Carbomer or polyacrylic acid is a thickening agent, used to stabilize and provide the base for many ointments, cremes and lotions. As one might guess, it is a difficult residue. In the presence of water it can thicken and become a gelatinous, sticky gel. A goo.