[COLOR=#333333]I posted this comment on a different thread, but thought I’d re-post it on it’s own thread, as it is a slightly different subject to the original thread.
I’ve done some considerable research this evening on what causes [/COLOR]soap[COLOR=#333333] residues, and how to prevent them etc. The interesting information I came across is that there seems to be a consensus that it is the quality of the water used that will effect if a residual film is left behind. Here are three of the sources: [/COLOR]http://www.nclonline.com/documents/download/407/0/C-ALL
Glass Gleam-4[COLOR=#333333] [/COLOR][URL=“http://www.bubbleandbee.com/shampoofaqs.html”]Bubble and Bee: Organic Deodorant, Organic Hair Care, Organic Shampoo, Organic Soaps, Organic Lip Balm and more!
[COLOR=#333333]I know the last one is talking about shampoo, but the chemistry still applies. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]All three point out that the softness of the water is key to preventing a residual film. Here’s the quotes:[/COLOR]
Titan Labs[COLOR=#333333]: “[/COLOR][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial]High-tech polymeric water softeners condition the water to greatly reduce dirt re-deposition.”
[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#333333]Nclonline: “Contains [/COLOR]deionized water[COLOR=#333333] / Prevents filming on glass surfaces” “Specifications - Residue: None”[/COLOR]
[SIZE=2][COLOR=#333333]Bubble and Bee: “[I]Use baking soda to soften your water.[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial] Baking soda will combine with calcium deposits in your water so they can’t react with the soap and leave soap residue”
Interesting stuff. This would mean ideally a traditional window cleaner should use pure water in his cleaning solution, instead of tap water.
Edit: [/FONT][/COLOR][/I][/COLOR][/SIZE][I]Soap
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Times New Roman]Effect of Hard Water:[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Times New Roman]If soap is used in “hard” water, the soap will be precipitated as “bath-tub ring” by calcium or magnesium ions present in “hard” water.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Times New Roman]The effects of “hard” water calcium or magnesium ions are minimized by the addition of “builders”. The most common “builder” used to be sodium trimetaphosphate. The phosphates react with the calcium or magnesium ions and keeps them in solution but away from the soap molecule. The soap molecule can then do its job without interference from calcium or magnesium ions. Other “builders” include sodium carbonate, borax, and sodium silicate are currently in detergents.[/FONT][/COLOR][/I]
