A premium car wash concentrate is designed to provide effective vehicle cleaning while allowing the manufacturer to produce a concentrated product that can be diluted before use or further diluted for retail sale.
The provided formulation book lists this as Category 2: Premium Car Wash Concentrate. The formulation uses SLES 28%, Lauramine Oxide (LAO), CDEA, EDTA, salt, DMDM and supporting ingredients, with the finished product adjusted to pH 6–6.5.
Premium Car Wash Concentrate Formula
Batch Size: 100 KG
| Raw Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Di Sodium EDTA | 100 g |
| Lauramine Oxide (LAO) | 5 kg |
| SLES 28% | 50 kg |
| CDEA | 2 kg |
| Salt | 800 g |
| DMDM | 400 g |
| Citric Acid | 50 g |
| Fragrance | 100 g |
| Colour | 50 g |
| Water | To 100 kg |
| Final pH | 6–6.5 |
The source specifies water to 100 kg and a final pH of 6–6.5.
Important: The source gives fixed quantities for the listed ingredients but says water is added to make the batch 100 kg. Therefore, the exact water quantity should be calculated after accounting for the actual weights of all ingredients used.
Manufacturing Process
Step 1 – Prepare the Surfactant Blend
Take 5 kg Lauramine Oxide (LAO) and 50 kg SLES 28%.
Begin mixing and combine them thoroughly.
The source’s process specifically starts by mixing LAO + SLES + CDEA.
Step 2 – Add CDEA
Add 2 kg CDEA to the LAO/SLES mixture.
Continue mixing until the surfactant blend is uniform.
Step 3 – Add Water and EDTA
Add the required quantity of water gradually.
Add 100 g Di Sodium EDTA and mix properly.
Step 4 – Add Fragrance
Add 100 g fragrance and mix until evenly incorporated.
Step 5 – Add Salt
Add 800 g salt.
The source indicates adding salt with some water as part of the manufacturing process.
For consistent production, it is preferable to prepare the salt appropriately before incorporation rather than dumping dry salt directly into a concentrated surfactant blend.
Step 6 – Add DMDM
Add 400 g DMDM and mix thoroughly.
Step 7 – Add Citric Acid and Adjust pH
Add 50 g citric acid and check the pH.
The source specifies the finished product at pH 6–6.5. Citric acid should therefore be added carefully while monitoring pH rather than assuming that 50 g will produce exactly the same pH with every raw-material batch.
Step 8 – Add Colour
Add 50 g colour and mix until the product has a uniform appearance.
Step 9 – Adjust to 100 KG
Finally, add water as required to bring the total batch weight to 100 kg.
Mix thoroughly and allow the product to settle before evaluating its final appearance and viscosity.
Product Dilution
One of the notable points in the source is that this formulation is intended as a concentrate.
The source states that it should be diluted with water before use. It also states that the concentrate can be diluted and sold, depending on the intended product format.
The source does not specify an exact dilution ratio, so a fixed “X-times dilution” should not be claimed from this formulation alone. The appropriate dilution should be established through performance testing.
How to Increase Thickness
The source states that if a thicker product is required, the manufacturer can use more salt or a thickener such as HPMC or HEC.
However, increasing salt indefinitely does not necessarily increase viscosity; surfactant systems can have an optimum salt level. Therefore, adjustments should be made gradually and tested.
Role of Important Ingredients
SLES 28%
The major surfactant component, contributing to cleaning and foam.
Lauramine Oxide (LAO)
An important part of the surfactant system in this formulation.
CDEA
Included as part of the surfactant/viscosity system.
Di Sodium EDTA
Included as a supporting chelating ingredient.
Salt
Used for viscosity adjustment.
DMDM
Used as the preservative specified by the source.
Citric Acid
Used for pH adjustment to the specified 6–6.5 range.
Fragrance
Provides the desired fragrance to the finished car wash product.
Colour
Provides product colour and appearance.
Important Manufacturing Tips
1. Monitor pH
The target given by the source is pH 6–6.5. Use a calibrated pH meter for adjustment.
2. Don’t assume the listed water quantity
The source says “WATER TO 100KG”, so water should be used as q.s. to the final batch weight.
3. Don’t over-add salt
Salt can affect viscosity significantly. Make incremental adjustments rather than assuming more salt always means a thicker product.
4. Control foam during manufacturing
SLES and LAO can generate considerable foam. Moderate mixing helps make production and final filling easier.
5. Test dilution performance
Since this is a concentrate, establish the desired dilution ratio through actual cleaning and appearance testing before commercializing a diluted product.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a premium car wash concentrate?
It is a concentrated car-cleaning formulation that can be diluted with water before use. The source specifically describes this formulation as a Premium Car Wash Concentrate.
2. How much SLES 28% is used?
The formula specifies 50 kg SLES 28% per 100 kg finished batch.
3. How much Lauramine Oxide is required?
5 kg Lauramine Oxide (LAO) is specified.
4. How much CDEA is used?
The formulation contains 2 kg CDEA.
5. What is the final pH of this car wash concentrate?
The source specifies pH 6–6.5.
6. How much citric acid is used?
The listed quantity is 50 g citric acid.
7. How much salt is required?
The formula specifies 800 g salt.
8. Can this concentrate be diluted before use?
Yes. The source explicitly states that the product should be diluted in water before use.
9. What dilution ratio should be used?
The source does not specify a fixed dilution ratio. The appropriate ratio should therefore be established through product-performance testing.
10. Can the diluted product be sold?
The source states that the concentrate can be diluted and sold.
11. How can the product be made thicker?
The source states that more salt or HPMC/HEC thickener can be used when greater thickness is required.
12. What preservative is specified?
The formula specifies 400 g DMDM.
13. How much fragrance is required?
100 g fragrance is specified.
14. How much colour is used?
The formulation specifies 50 g colour.
15. How much EDTA is used?
100 g Di Sodium EDTA is specified.
Conclusion
The Premium Car Wash Concentrate formulation contains SLES 28%, Lauramine Oxide, CDEA, EDTA, salt, DMDM, citric acid, fragrance and colour, with water added to make the final batch 100 kg. The specified finished-product pH is 6–6.5.
The source also specifically states that the concentrate can be diluted before use, and that additional salt or HPMC/HEC may be used when greater thickness is required.