Can soft washing damage self-cleaning conservatory glass?

May 25, 2022

Self-cleaning glass is created by applying a coating to the outside of the glass. The coating is usually quite robust and able to withstand the effects of chemicals. In coastal areas the coating should be robust enough to handle high levels of salt, so the very small amount of salt in the rinse water from Benz Lighting Cleanze or Tornado Cleanze should not be a problem.

Quick tip: We advise first treating a small test patch to check compatibility. And rinse the glass immediately after it comes into contact with a cleaning chemical as a precaution.

Contact the manufacturer of a conservatory with self-cleaning glass

We've never experienced, or received reports of, damage to self-cleaning glass. But if you want to be 100% sure, contact the manufacturers of the glass and send them our SDS.

There are a number of products that claim to make glass "self-cleaning". So you will need to locate the manufacturer of your customer's glass and ask for their specific recommendations regarding the effect of our soft washing products. Click here to download our product SDS and other data, so they can accurately advise you.

Be sure to make it clear to the manufacturer that you will not be applying strong bleach to their glass. Let them know that the conservatory glass will only receive the heavily diluted run-off, consisting mainly of a small quantity of ordinary salt, water and surfactant (i.e. soap).

Any remaining active sodium hypochlorite in the run-off, if any, will be diluted to below 0.5% available chlorine (which is below the level used to disinfect babies bottles).

How to protect self-cleaning conservatory glass

After gaining the manufacturer’s advice, and depending on the cautions advised by the manufacturer, should you decide to go ahead we suggest the following safety options:

1. Pre-rinse the glass with fresh water prior to treatment (the same principle as when protecting metal).

2. Completely cover the conservatory with a light, chemical-resistant sheet – ensuring the best seal between sheeting and wall to minimise the possibility of run-off getting under the sheet. Ensure also that run-off will not cascade onto the sides of the conservatory.

3. Leave Tornado Cleanze and Lightning Cleanze to activate for 60 minutes after application, which will both allow for the maximum effectiveness of the treatment and also enable the maximum degradation of the sodium hypochlorite before rinsing.

4. Allowing plenty of time for activation means that the rinse water will contain the minimum quantity of sodium hypochlorite, if any at all; because after activation Benz Tornado Cleanze and Lightning Cleanze break down into just water, ordinary salt, and a biodegradable surfactant.

5. Thoroughly rinse the glass, frames and ledge to effect maximum dilution and removal of of Tornado Cleanze, Lightning Cleanze and Bio Cleanze residues from the glass.
   
   Quick tip: Benz Bio Cleanze does not contain sodium hypochlorite, and for most applications does not require rinsing.

6. Thoroughly rinse the protective chemical-resistant sheet, ensuring the rinse water is directed into a foul water drain or is sucked up for safe removal from the site.
   
   

We hope this information is helpful and sincerely wish you great success in your soft washing business,

Ben, Leo, Fiona, Stevie & Anthony

Click here to get more practical soft washing how-to tips

How to find answers to most soft washing questions: Simply enter a relevant "keyword" or short phrase – e.g. keyword for the above link = "how-to" – into our in-site Search Engine (magnifying glass icon on the main menu).
 

Order Benz Softwash chemicals & equipment online or by phone:

GB (England, Scotland, Wales)

Phone: 0800 70 74 222 

Online: www.benzsoftwash.co.uk

Ireland and other countries

Phone: 00353 214 622 978

Online: www.benzsoftwash.com

Lines open Monday - Friday, 9am – 5pm

Please note: The above numbers are for orders only (click here for tech support)

PS: Click here to set up your "Clean & Maintain" programme. After completing an initial soft wash treatment, put your customer on a "Clean & Maintain" ongoing maintenance programme. Your customers will enjoy a permanently clean property and you will enjoy a steady stream of repeat business.

This is clearly a win-win arrangement for you and your customers.

Click here to explore the extensive range of Benz softwash cleaning chemicals & equipment

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