Liquinox Vs Luminox For Environmental Cleaning

Q:  We are an environmental lab and updating our equipment cleaning procedures.  We are curious about the difference between Liquinox and Luminox?

A: As discussed in Comply With EPA Field Equipment Cleaning and Decontamination, the EPA recommends both.  It is a very sound question to ask what the differences are, and when might use one or the other, or both.  Reviewed in further detail here: Laboratory Cleaning – Go Green As You Clean, both neutral detergents, with Luminox being truly neutral at pH 7.  Luminox is low foaming and Liquinox is a foaming detergent.  Both are phosphate free and of course recommended in the above by the EPA for such applications. 

Bottom line, Liquinox is a notably more powerful emulsifier, and a better detergent for a broader range of applications.  Luminox, still a quite effective product, would be where a low foaming neutral detergent is required.  Liquinox will be better at inorganic residues as well.

It might be nice to have both around and qualified in the event low foaming is needed.  There is a little benefit to a serial washing with both.   It certainly won’t hurt, but could just be overkill.

Do you have a critical cleaning question for the experts at Alconox Inc.?  Search TechNotes to see if it’s been answered before or Ask Alconox.

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Liquinox is a concentrated, anionic detergent for manual and ultrasonic cleaning. Free rinsing to give you reliable results without interfering residues. Extremely mild and completely soluble in hard and soft water. USDA authorized. Dilute 1:100. pH 8.5

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Luminox is a low foaming, neutral pH detergent for use in manual, ultrasonic, and machine cleaning. Safe-handling detergent used for non-corrosive cleaning without chelation or alkalinity waste treatment problems. Dilute 3:100. pH 7

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