If you are looking for a simple dual-purpose cleaning formulation that can be used for both dishwashing liquid and car wash, the provided formula book includes a formulation based on SLES 70%, Lauramine Oxide, Sodium Hexa Meta Phosphate, caustic soda and salt.
The source specifically states that this formula can be used for car wash as well, with the pH adjusted using citric acid to pH 7–8.
Simple Dishwashing Liquid / Car Wash Formula
Formula
| Raw Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Water | 73 kg |
| Caustic Soda | 3 kg |
| Sodium Hexa Meta Phosphate | 1.5 kg |
| SLES 70% | 15 kg |
| Lauramine Oxide (LAO) | 2 kg |
| Salt | 3 kg |
| Water for Salt | 5 kg |
The quantities above are taken directly from the source’s “Simple Dishwashing Liquid/car wash” formulation.
Note: The source does not list a separate citric-acid quantity. It instructs to adjust the pH with citric acid to 7–8.
Manufacturing Process
Step 1 — Prepare the Water Phase
Take the specified 73 kg water in a suitable mixing vessel.
Start moderate agitation.
Step 2 — Add Sodium Hexa Meta Phosphate
Add 1.5 kg Sodium Hexa Meta Phosphate to the water and mix until properly incorporated.
Step 3 — Add Caustic Soda
Add 3 kg caustic soda as specified in the formulation.
The source instructs that Sodium Hexa Meta Phosphate and caustic soda are first mixed in water.
Because caustic soda is highly alkaline and can generate heat when dissolved, it should be handled carefully and added using appropriate industrial safety procedures.
Step 4 — Add SLES 70%
Add 15 kg SLES 70% gradually to the batch while mixing.
Avoid excessive agitation to minimize unnecessary foam formation.
Step 5 — Add Lauramine Oxide
Add 2 kg Lauramine Oxide (LAO) and continue mixing until the batch is uniform.
Step 6 — Prepare Salt Solution
Dissolve:
- Salt — 3 kg
- Water — 5 kg
Prepare this separately and add it to the main batch after the SLES and Lauramine Oxide have been incorporated.
Step 7 — Adjust pH
After completing the main mixing process, check the pH.
The source specifies adjusting the pH with citric acid to approximately 7–8.
Do not add citric acid blindly as a fixed quantity; use a calibrated pH meter and add it gradually.
How This Formula Can Be Used
The source specifically describes this as:
“Simple Dishwashing Liquid/car wash.”
It also states that the formula can even be used for car wash after appropriate pH adjustment.
For commercial production, however, the finished product should be tested for the intended application rather than assuming that performance will be identical for utensils and automotive surfaces.
Role of the Main Ingredients
SLES 70%
SLES is the principal surfactant in this formulation and contributes to cleaning and foam generation.
Lauramine Oxide (LAO)
LAO forms part of the surfactant system and supports the cleaning/foaming characteristics of the formulation.
Sodium Hexa Meta Phosphate
Included in the formulation as a supporting builder/water-conditioning component.
Caustic Soda
Provides alkalinity and is part of the initial water-phase preparation specified by the source.
Salt
Used as part of the formulation’s viscosity adjustment system.
Citric Acid
Used for pH adjustment, with the source specifying a target range of pH 7–8.
Important Manufacturing Tips
1. Handle caustic soda carefully
Caustic soda can cause severe burns and generates heat when dissolved in water. Use appropriate PPE and safe handling procedures.
2. Don’t add citric acid without checking pH
The source gives a pH 7–8 target rather than a fixed citric-acid quantity. Therefore, pH should be measured during adjustment.
3. Control foam during mixing
SLES 70% can generate significant foam. Moderate mixing is preferable during surfactant incorporation.
4. Prepare the salt solution separately
The source specifically instructs that the 3 kg salt + 5 kg water mixture is added after SLES and Lauramine Oxide.
5. Test before commercial production
Small-batch testing is recommended in the source because raw-material quality can influence the final result.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this formula for dishwashing liquid or car wash?
The source specifically names it “Simple Dishwashing Liquid/car wash” and states that it can also be used for car wash.
2. How much SLES 70% is required?
The formulation uses 15 kg SLES 70%.
3. How much Lauramine Oxide is used?
2 kg Lauramine Oxide (LAO) is specified.
4. How much Sodium Hexa Meta Phosphate is required?
The formula contains 1.5 kg Sodium Hexa Meta Phosphate.
5. How much caustic soda is used?
The listed quantity is 3 kg caustic soda.
6. How much salt is required?
The formula specifies 3 kg salt + 5 kg water.
7. When is the salt solution added?
The source instructs adding the salt solution after SLES and Lauramine Oxide.
8. How much citric acid is required?
The source does not specify a fixed quantity of citric acid. It says to use citric acid to adjust the finished pH to 7–8.
9. What should the final pH be?
The source specifies pH 7–8.
10. Can this formulation be used for car washing?
Yes. The source explicitly states that this formula can even be used for car wash.
11. Can the formulation be used directly for commercial production?
It is advisable to conduct a small-batch trial and verify cleaning performance, appearance, viscosity and pH before scaling up. The source recommends small-batch testing.
12. Why is citric acid added?
In this formulation, citric acid is specified for pH adjustment to the target range of 7–8.
13. What is the role of salt?
Salt is included in the formulation as part of the viscosity-adjustment system and is added as a prepared salt solution.
14. Should caustic soda be added directly to the final product?
No. The source specifies first mixing caustic soda and Sodium Hexa Meta Phosphate in water, followed by SLES and Lauramine Oxide.
15. Is this a concentrated formula?
The source calls it a simple dishwashing liquid/car wash formula; it does not describe it as a concentrated formulation.
Conclusion
The Simple Dishwashing Liquid / Car Wash Formula is based on SLES 70%, Lauramine Oxide, Sodium Hexa Meta Phosphate, caustic soda and salt. The manufacturing sequence is straightforward: first mix Sodium Hexa Meta Phosphate and caustic soda in water, then add SLES and Lauramine Oxide, followed by the prepared salt solution. Finally, adjust the pH to 7–8 using citric acid.
The source specifically presents this formulation as suitable for both dishwashing liquid and car wash, but application-specific testing is recommended before commercial use.