[zesty]

Hi everyone,

Used to come on here years and years ago.

Anyway, most of us who have delved into softwashing have potentially used fairy liquid as a surfactant, but is it really safe?

I noticed fairy no longer say on the label 'do not mix with bleach'  - they used to.

It's got me wondering if they have changed there 'ingredients' so it's now 'safe' to be used with bleach.

Most people believe it was always fine, but where I buy my SH from, they are of the opinion you shouldn't mix it with anything but water. (We know that's not strictly true)

Opinions?

[chris scott]

Mixing your own chemicals is technically illegal.
Yes Fairy is fine in bleach.

[zesty]

Interesting chris, never heard of that law.

Ive found fairy is just right for render cleaning and cladding. Granted I haven't tried clever wash etc.

If fairy is safe, and works well, no need to buy from the likes of Benz/softwashuk!

I've just completed a roof clean for a building company. Scaffolding was up which made it easier.

 But here's the surprising part - before I had even quoted I was amazed to see the site manager had a clip board and a method of cleaning from the architects.  And guess what they recommended:

'A bleach solution mixed with water and soap to clean the roof of algae and lichen'

I said to the site manager 'I've never been to a job where the company themselves know what to use'

Anyway, that's exactly what I did, and it came up well.

I went up to see Ben at Rutland pumps and he sorted me one of his new roller pump machines, works a treat.

[chris scott]

A solution would be legal if there are only two componants the solvet being water...anything else would be illegal to use.
Fairy is an excellent soap ,we use it for everything. If it was not made in such great amounts it would cost way more than £2 per litre.

[Kev Martin]

A solution would be legal if there are only two componants the solvet being water...anything else would be illegal to use.
Fairy is an excellent soap ,we use it for everything. If it was not made in such great amounts it would cost way more than £2 per litre.

You should try washing you van with it!  It's filthy

[the king]

fairy is not stable once mixed with hypo  as its then produces chlorine gas  you need to use a stable  surfactant like clever wash it does boost hypo unlike fairy

[zesty]

King,  I'm sure it doesn't produce chlorine gas, it might not be the most stable surfactant but it's not an acid and won't create chlorine gas...

If it does then for the last 3 years I've been making a lot of mustard gas! And so has many other softwashers, I've always wondered how stable it really is. I've never worried about it creating chlorine gas though, fairy no longer put a warning on there bottles to avoid mixing with bleach, seems they may (or may not) have changed there ingredients.