Do Benz Softwash biocides stay in the soil? (video)

July 12, 2024

Some of our softwash contractor customers asked if our soft washing biocides stay in the soil.

Clearly this is an important concern as we are all becoming more environmentally aware.

And it is important that soft washing contractors can speak clearly to their customers about this important topic and give them the facts about the environmental impact of soft washing.

Here's our video response:  (scroll down for our written response)

Since we made this video our softwash product names have changed. Benz Bio Cleanze is the new name for “Biocidal Wash” & Benz Lightning Cleanze is the new name for “Blackwash”. The formula for both softwash chemicals remains the same.

Our written response

Benz Bio Cleanze is fully biodegradable and complies with EU, UK and Irish regulations for biodegradability. It biodegrades on contact with organic material, so will definitely not stay in the soil.

We've run long-term tests on lawns and flower beds to determine the effects of our biocides on plant life.

Test results show that Bio Cleanze has no detrimental effect on plant life when applied to surfaces at our recommended dilution rates, and when the soil and plants are pre and post drenched with fresh water.

Benz Lightning Cleanze does not bioaccumulate and breaks down into oxygen and a small amount of common salt on contact with organic material. Even the surfactant is fully biodegradable.

Although frequent applications, together with allowing run-off to enter the soil, could theoretically increase the salt content of soil, in practice this is unlikely to be a problem.

This is because Lightning Cleanze is mostly used as a one-off treatment, followed by regular maintenance applications of Bio Cleanze.

Our tests

Run-off and spray drift from Lightning Cleanze has not been observed to have detrimental effects on lawns and flower beds when used at our recommended dilution rates and in conjunction with pre and post drenching of soil and plant life.

Our research tests of applying pure salt to soil over periods of several months has shown that a large quantity of salt is required to adversely affect the majority of plant life.

The practice of pre and post drenching dilutes the minute amounts of salt produced by the biodegrading of Lightning Cleanze.

This renders it effectively harmless. And of course rain will further dilute any remaining salt residue.

Click the links below for relevant articles, videos and web pages

1)  Technical info about Bio Cleanze

2)  Technical info about Lightning Cleanze

3) How to know when to use Bio Cleanze and when to use Lightning Cleanze

4)  How to care for your customers plant life

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

Team Benz

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).

Click here to download our Product Documentation Pack (includes Application & Dilution guides, SDS, PDS, RAMS, PPE & Mask info, COSSH, sample Contract and more)

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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