Simple Green

[Dave Gray]

is nasty stuff. When I was a bike commuter I would use it clean my bicycles. It did a great job. Recently we had a tub refinished and a new shower enclosure was installed. The guy doing the job said Simple Green would be a good cleaner.

I have never used it inside before and don't think I will again. I nearly coughed up a lung! I had the bathroom window open and the vent fan going and it didn't help.

I need my lungs, thank you very much, so ixnay on Simple Green, at least indoors. I was using it full strength but I don't think diluting it would have made much difference.

[goodbasil]

You can always grow a new lung. Question is, did it remove the ring from the tub?

[Concordia...41]

I've had good luck using it in the laundry - or say on shoes - to remove oil and grease stains. It will also attack oil in a bilge, but only if you have a way to contain the mess and not pump it overboard.

It is foul!

- M

[J P]

I kinda like it. :) Usually use it cut though.

Best thing I've found for a skunked dog.

[Bill R]

Good for cleaning pitch off saw blades. Just don't soak them for an extended period since it apparently will affect the carbide.

[Stu Fyfe]

Bill,
I have the same reaction. I use in in the cabin sometimes. It really does a number on my throat. To avoid that I now spray it onto a cloth full strength outside the cabin.

[Bob Triggs]

Not Simple and Not Green!!!

[Bob Cleek]

Problems with Simple Green? You've got to be kidding! You could gargle with that stuff without worrying about it. The partial MSDS is below.

Simple Green CAN be used full strength in some situations, again without ill effects, but it's INTENDED TO BE DILUTED.

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE LABEL!

Otherwise, you are spending a lot of money for concentrate without availaing yourself of the benefits of concentrate.

The biggest joke in the detergent industry is dilution. Most of the common liquid laundry detergents, for example, are mainly water. You're mainly paying for the packaging and shipping and handling of water! Simple Green has less water than most... they expect you will add your own water. This is why it's a bit more expensive than the same amount of other brands of detergents.

There's nothing in Simple Green that can hurt you. It is, basically, just soap. It will burn your eyes a bit, just like soap in the shower. If you breathe a lot of full strength Simple Green fumes in an enclosed space, you might experience some respiratory discomfort, but nothing lasting. It's about the safest, healthiest, detergent you can use.

Simple Green will also act as a mild bleach on teak. Don't ask me why. If you wash down with Simple Green, you'll need to bleach with oxalic acid a bit less frequently. It isn't caustic or acidic, though. Perhaps it washes away the grey!

Here's the poop sheet from their website:

Material Safety Data Sheet: Simple Green® All-Purpose Cleaner
Simple Green® Scrubbing Pad

Version No. 1300509A Date of Issue: January 2009 ANSI-Z400.1-2003 Format

Section 1: PRODUCT & COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

Product Name: Simple Green® All-Purpose Cleaner
Simple Green® Scrubbing Pad
Additional Name: Simple Green® Concentrated Cleaner/Degreaser/Deodorizer
Manufacturer’s Product Code Numbers: *Please refer to page 4

Company: Sunshine Makers, Inc.
15922 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Harbour, CA 92649 USA
Telephone: 800-228-0709 ● 562-795-6000 Fax: 562-592-3830
Emergency Phone: Chem-Tel 24-Hour Emergency Service: 800-255-3924

Use of Product: An all purpose cleaner and degreaser USED DILUTED IN WATER for direct, spray and dip tank procedures. (EMPHASIS ADDED!)

Scrubbing pad is used with water for manual scrubbing applications. Both are for cleaning water-safe surfaces.

Section 2: HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

Emergency Overview: CAUTION. Mild eye irritant.

Simple Green@ is a dark green liquid with a sassafras odor. Scrubbing Pad is a green fibrous rectangle.

HMIS Rating:
Health = 1 = slight
Fire = 0
Reactivity, and Special = 0 = minimal

Eye Contact: Mild Eye Irritant.

Skin Contact: No adverse effects expected under typical use conditions. Prolonged exposure may cause dryness. Under this condition, use of gloves or skin moisturizer after washing may be indicated.

Ingestion: May cause stomach or intestinal upset if swallowed (due to detersive properties.)

Inhalation: No adverse effects expected under typical use conditions. Adequate ventilation should be present when using Simple Green® over a prolonged period of time. Open windows or ventilate via fan or other air moving equipment if necessary.

Carcinogens: No ingredients are listed by OSHA, IARC, or NTP as known or suspected carcinogens.

Medical Conditions: No medical conditions are known to be aggravated by exposure to Simple Green®. Dermalsensitive users may experience mild but reversible reactions.

UN Number: Not Required Dangerous Goods Class: Non-hazardous

[michigangeorge]

Love the stuff. It is the only cleaner I use anymore!

[Willin']

I've used it since the early 80's and still stand by it. I once read a letter from a circumnavigating couple that it's the only detergent they keep on board and use it offshore for everything from dish soap to shampoo. As Mr. Cleek noted, what you buy is concentrated and should be diluted to the desired strength per application.

I'll take the strong odor of SG over deisel in the bilge and puke in the head any day!

[Dave Gray]

Granted I should dilute it. All I am saying is I have used it full strength indoors and each time (four or more) I have ended up with a coughing fit, irrespective of the product literature that it doesn't impact breathing. That is the first thing I looked at after the first coughing fit. Something about it doesn't agree with me.

[Bill R]

I love it. I have a gallon jug of the concentrate in the shop and a couple spray bottles of the diluted mix hanging around.

[donald branscom]

I really like Simple Green.
Simple green will clean oily parts so you do not have to use more dangerous chemical solvents like acetone or lacquer thinner.

[donald branscom]

Granted I should dilute it. All I am saying is I have used it full strength indoors and each time (four or more) I have ended up with a coughing fit, irrespective of the product literature that it doesn't impact breathing. That is the first thing I looked at after the first coughing fit. Something about it doesn't agree with me.

You will no longer be asked to clean the bath room.

[Dave Gray]

You will no longer be asked to clean the bath room.

(Smacks self on forehead.) Why didn't I think of that? No, let's not go there!

[Bob Triggs]

Go to: www.thegoodhuman.com (http://www.thegoodhuman.com) and search "simple green"

Search the article there on Simple Green toxicity; the title is:

"Think Simple Green is a good eco friendly cleaner? Think again!"

Also see: "Dirty Secrets of Cleaning Product Companies"
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/chrongreen/detail?&entry_id=31126