Simple Green cares about providing safer cleaning choices, offering a wide variety of cutting-edge cleaning products for both home & industrial use. We're dedicated to producing environmentally-friendly formulas for virtually any cleaning need, and proud of the work we do to meet or exceed all federal health & safety requirements.
Find informative answers to all your questions about Simple Green products in the Simple Green F.A.Q. below.
Do you have a Simple Green inquiry that's not addressed here? Please contact us via email or phone at (800)228-0709.
A
Alkaline aqueous solutions remove foods, fats, grease, coolants, cutting oils, dirt, fingerprints, cosmoline, some water-soluble paints and more. They are also used with all types of liquid processes, e.g., spray, ultrasonic, immersion and power washers. These solutions can clean to very high levels, with good filtration and rinsing. Cost per gallon is generally less than for semi-aqueous cleaners.
Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
Simple Green has also developed break-through water based cleaners that are safe for use on metals, plastics, rubber and high tech alloys. Extreme Simple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner, Pro Series Simple Green Automotive Cleaner, and Simple Green Pro HD are available on both the industrial and retail markets, respectively. These products were initially developed for the aircraft industry and extensive testing shows that they are safe and effective on a variety of metals and other sensitive surfaces even in the most extreme circumstances.
Simple Green Stainless Steel One Step Cleaner & Polish is another option for cleaning polished aluminum. This product is designed for light duty metal cleaning and polishing.
During our 40 year history, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been used all over the world to save lives of birds and mammals caught in oil spills and chemical lagoons, because it enables them to be cleaned and then returned to the wild with minimal stress and no ill effects. Simple Green has also been used to maintain safe and clean environments for mammals, birds, and fish that are temporary guests of veterinary clinics and wildlife rehabilitation centers (such as the World Bird Sanctuary, The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, and the Dolphin Rescue Center,) as well as for those animals that are permanent residents of zoos, aviaries, and aquatic centers (the National Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, Wellington Zoo, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium are a few examples.)
B
Trigger spray and half-gallon bottles typically have batch codes stamped on the back label, between two paragraphs of label text.
Gallon and 140-ounce bottles typically have the batch code stamped directly onto the bottle, below where the label ends, but not underneath.
2.5, 5, 15, 55, and 275 gallon containers typically have the code printed on a sticker that is affixed to the front label to the left of the Simple Green logo.
Wipes and Towel Canisters typically have the batch code stamped directly on the container below where the label ends but not underneath.
Aerosols have the batch code printed on the underside of the can.
Scrubbing Pads and Hand Gel tubes typically have the batch code printed on the crimp of the closure.
Batch Coding: Stamped code on all packages or labels can be read as follows: LL-Y-JJJ-BBB S or LL-YY-JJJ-BBB S
LL indicates the location of manufacture;
Y indicates the last digit of the year manufactured (6 = 2016, 7 = 2017, 0 = 2020);
BBB indicates the batch manufactured for the year (001 = 1st batch, 039 = 39th batch);
S indicates different production shifts within the day. (First shift is blank; second shift is "A", third shift is "B", etc.)
Wipes & Towels
Batch Coding: Stamped code on all packages or labels can be read as follows: CCCC YYJJJS
CCCC Product Code assigned by wipes converter to the overall finished good
YY Last two digits of the year product was made
JJJ Julian date on which product was made
S Production shifts within the day. (First shift is blank; second shift is "A", third shift is "B", etc.)
Batch Coding: Stamped code on all packages or labels can be read as follows: LL-YY-JJJ-BBB
LL is the location it was made;
YY is the last two digits of the year it was made;
JJJ is the Julian date for that year;
BBB is the batch produced in that year.
For example : GB21015005 was made at the GB location, in 2021, January 15, batch #5
Batch Coding: Stamped code on all packages or labels can be read as follows: LL-YY-JJJ-BBBB
YY indicates the last two digits of the year manufactured (22 = 2022);
JJJ indicates the Julian date for the year it was manufactured (001 = January 1st, 030 = January 30th);
BBBB indicates the batch manufactured for the year (001 = 1st batch, 039 = 39th batch);
C
Simple Green products that are sold in the USA are assembled 100% in the USA at the facilities listed above. We utilize USA-made ingredients and source USA-made components for our products. If a particular ingredient is not viable for purchase in the USA, due to unforeseen acts of nature or force majeure, we have on occasion been forced to source it from a trade-friendly country. We are of the opinion that in those rare occurrences, it has been an insignificant portion to the overall product composition; that, we can maintain "All or virtually all" US origin product. As soon as normal US sourcing is made available, off-shore components are replaced with domestic.
We make this claim on a reasonable belief - and rely on - that as we negotiate our manufacturing and supply chain sources; we are reaffirming that those sources are of domestic origin. This good faith reliance has allowed Sunshine Makers, Inc. to faithfully say "Made in the USA" for over 35 years.
D
A word of caution: when adding foreign material into Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, be aware that biodegradability, toxicity and disposal issues need to be addressed by the additive manufacturer.
Some companies believe that if their product contains less than 0.1% of a Prop 65 chemical, they do not need to put a warning on their product. While our products fall well below that threshold, we do not agree with that policy. Instead we want to ensure as much transparency as possible for our customers.
Even prior to Prop 65 restrictions on Diethanolamine, we have intentionally sourced Triethanolamine containing as little Diethanolamine as possible and strictly limited the amount of Triethanolamine used in our formulas.
Certificates of Analysis for the Triethanolamine used in Simple Green products typically list a level of Diethanolamine around 0.04%. When this small amount is added to all other ingredients, the level of potential Diethanolamine in a product is typically less than 0.004%. Some of those products are concentrates which require users to dilute the product with water, bringing the levels of Diethanolamine down even further.
A Safe Harbor Level is the regulatory level of a chemical a person can be exposed to daily without significant risk of cancer or reproductive harm. The Safe Harbor Level for Diethanolamine has not yet been determined. Simple Green products which contain any amount of Diethanolamine, even so small that it is undetectable in lab tests, will continue to feature a Prop 65 warning on the product label, to ensure our consumers are aware of the ingredients in the products they choose to purchase.
1:1 - equal parts cleaner and water
1:8 - about 1 oz. cleaner per cup of water
1:32 - about 1 oz. cleaner per 1 quart of water
For a complete list of uses and the different dilution ratios for each use, please download our Household Applications/Dilution Ratio Chart or our Industrial Applications/Dilution Ratio Chart. Downloading or reading these charts requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or call 800-228-0709 and request a free "Dilution Chart."
E
You can also refer to our Cleaning Tips under our All-Purpose Cleaner in the Household Products section.
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I
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner does not contain chlorine (bleach), ammonia, formaldehyde, phosphates or petroleum distillates.
A Note about Ingredients: In late 2012, Sunshine Makers, Inc. implemented the results of a 4-year reformulation project, and changed the formula of Simple Green to what is listed above. This was done to comply with 2013 California air quality regulations. We conducted testing to confirm that the new formulation is every bit as efficacious as the prior formula, and that it is safer for the user and the environment. For more information about this, please see the 2013 MSDS, and data at SimpleGreen.com/claims.
The ingredients within our products have been screened to make sure that we are utilizing those that are strongly filtered so that they contain little-to-no 1,4 dioxane. We closely monitor these ingredients and constantly seek to utilize the safest alternatives available. While Laureth-6 and Laureth-7, also found within some of our Naturals products, are not part of the SLES family, they are ethoxylated ingredients with potential to contain 1,4 dioxane if not filtered. We monitor them as well to be sure that they do not carry 1,4 dioxane into our products.
Care should be taken when spraying Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner above the level of one's head, or using mechanical applicators that create mist (pressure sprayers, steam cleaners, etc.) Additionally, Simple Green products are sold in spray bottles that create a coarse droplet spray that is not easily inhaled. If using a spray bottle other than a Simple Green spray bottle, take care not to breathe in mist. Use Simple Green products in ventilated areas or position a fan into non-ventilated areas. In more extreme cases or cases of impaired lung condition, use a fiber painter's mask (found in hardware and home improvement stores) to reduce the risk of inhalation problems.
L
To pre-treat, wet the spot or collar with water and spray on full-strength Simple Green. Launder immediately.
Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is not recommended for use as an additive in High Effeciency (HE) machines but can be used to pre-treat stains and then washed in HE machines. We do also offer a specially formulated Laundry Detergent.
O
P
Yes. Simple Green has products that are parts washer safe. We also offer products specifically designed for use in parts washers. Please contact Consumer Relations for recommendations: (800) 228-0709.
pH is an important factor to consider when choosing or recommending cleaners or degreasers. Cleaners at both ends of the scale (14 & 0) can be effective cleaners, however they are more likely to be environmentally hazardous or present serious health hazards. The challenge in choosing a product is finding a balance of both safety and effectiveness. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner meets both of these qualifications.
Yes. Simple Green products are pressure washer safe. We also offer products specifically designed for use in pressure washers.
Most Simple Green products do NOT contain any amount of Diethanolamine. Our popular All-Purpose Cleaners and most of our Industrial Cleaners and Degreasers to NOT contain Diethanolamine or other chemicals that would require a Prop 65 warning. While none of our products are intentionally formulated with Diethanolamine, a few of our specialty products do use Triethanolamine as a grease-cutting agent. Diethanolamine is a trace contaminant of Triethanolamine, meaning it can be found in very low (or "trace") levels in Triethanolamine. Because of this, we have chosen to include a Prop 65 warning on select products.
Some companies believe that if their product contains less than 0.1% of a Prop 65 chemical, they do not need to put a warning on their product. While our products fall well below that threshold, we do not agree with that policy. Instead we want to ensure as much transparency as possible for our customers.
Even prior to Prop 65 restrictions on Diethanolamine, we have intentionally sourced Triethanolamine containing as little Diethanolamine as possible and strictly limited the amount of Triethanolamine used in our formulas.
Certificates of Analysis for the Triethanolamine used in Simple Green products typically list a level of Diethanolamine around 0.04%. When this small amount is added to all other ingredients, the level of potential Diethanolamine in a product is typically less than 0.004%. Some of those products are concentrates which require users to dilute the product with water, bringing the levels of Diethanolamine down even further.
A Safe Harbor Level is the regulatory level of a chemical a person can be exposed to daily without significant risk of cancer or reproductive harm. The Safe Harbor Level for Diethanolamine has not yet been determined. Simple Green products which contain any amount of Diethanolamine, even so small that it is undetectable in lab tests, will continue to feature a Prop 65 warning on the product label, to ensure our consumers are aware of the ingredients in the products they choose to purchase.
R
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Whether steam cleaning or shampooing, always be sure to extract as much fluid as possible from your carpets. This can be time-consuming, but the results are worth it. Once extraction is done, you should not be able to place your hand on your carpet and come away with a wet hand. A slightly damp hand is fine, but no visible wetness. If wetness exists, perform extraction on the carpet again. A dry carpet is a happy (and non-smelly) carpet!
All NSF Non Food Compound listings may be viewed, and their current status confirmed at the NSF White Book.
V
There are federal and state requirements that reduce VOC emissions.
W