Are There Green Products that Work?

I receive some of the best questions about our industry in email fashion. Starting with this question, I will be posting a series of questions and answers that cleaners and restorers pose to Lee or myself.

What is the best "Green" truck mount detergent you have found. Would like to find a product that cleans as well as Dry Slurry, but is "eco-friendly".

Thanks,
Alex-


Hi Alex

Finding a "green" cleaning product that will perform like your "old reliable carpet cleaning detergent" (Dry Slurry) will be a challenge. The things that cut grease (solvents) and soften water (phosphates) are will not be found in a "green product".

That said, the manufacturers of green cleaning products have done a very good job of getting "nearly as good as" with alternate formulations, and we're getting great feedback on both the Prochem Axiom products and the Bridgepoint Green Balance products.

Of the two, only one makes a powdered emulsifier. The Axiom Clean Powdered Emulsifier is a good cleaner, but will cost about 15% more than Dry Slurry. Other than this product, the liquid presprays and detergents from both Prochem and Bridgepoint actually cost less than the "non green" products that they replace.

Ultimately, in deciding to use products that do not soften water as well, and do not contain grease cutting solvents, you should look to using soft water in your cleaning equipment, and to use equipment that generates as much heat as possible, as heat helps to cut grease with less need for aggressive solvent additives in the formulation.

Jim