Cosmetics Cleaning
Q. What are some cleaning concerns for the Cosmetic industry? A. Cosmetic manufacturing involves many oils, pigments, emollients, waxes, serums, and “waterproof” ingredients. Difficult-to-clean residues include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mascara, and silicone oil (siloxane) emollients. These can be located in the labs where they are developed, the manufacturing and process facilities where they are produced, or the spas and salons where they are used.
Removing Silicone Oil from a HDPE/ABS Medical Device
Q. We are looking for a product to effectively remove silicone oil from a HDPE/ABS medical device. We currently use a combination of washing treatments to efficiently remove the silicone oil.
A. Remove silicone oil with ultrasonic cleaning with extremely hot (over 170 F or over 77C) 2% Alconox detergent solution followed by a thorough rinse with water. Ideally, make sure the first rinse is with extremely hot water. Typically 10-20 minutes in ultrasonics is adequate to remove the residue.
How to Clean Mold Release Agent from HDPE parts?
Q. We are looking for a product that will allow us to clean mold release agent from the surface of molded HDPE parts. A. The best way to reliably remove silicone based mold release agents is to immerse the HDPE parts in very hot (170ºF) 2% Alconox detergent followed by a very hot (170ºF) rinse, ideally both in ultrasonic tanks. After the first very hot rinse, normal ambient temperature rinsing can be done. This can also be done with stiff brushes, but of course protective equipment must be worn.
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Cleaning Silicone Grease Residue Build Up in a Parts Washer
Q. Our parts washer uses a 2.5 hour cycle following a manual wash. A build up of silicone grease is observed. Our preference is to reduce manual cleaning. Is there a cleaning agent available that can remove silicone grease that would be compatible with a parts washer using water as the cleaning agent?