Concentrated Multi-Purpose Disinfectant and Pet Odor Neutralizer Formula

Asked by: eve10400 On: May 04, 2026 Product Type: Cosmetics Answered

Question

I would like to request a standard formula for a multi-purpose cleaner with the following requirements:

  • Functions: Disinfecting and deodorizing (specifically targeting pet urine and dog odors).
  • Safety: Must be safe for children and pets.
  • Application: For cleaning floors and bathrooms.
  • Ingredients: Natural ingredients are preferred; however, if chemical alternatives provide better deodorizing performance, I am open to using the more effective option.
  • Product Form: A concentrated liquid intended for dilution before use, with a small amount of foam.

Answer

For a concentrated multi-purpose cleaner that effectively disinfects, neutralizes pet odors (urine and body smells), and remains safe for children and pets when diluted, I recommend the following formula. This blend combines a natural surfactant for cleaning with specialized actives for odor elimination and disinfection.

Multi-Purpose Disinfectant & Deodorizing Concentrate Formula

Ingredient Percentage Function
1. Water (Deionized/Distilled) 81% Solvent
2. Lauryl Glucoside 10% Natural Surfactant (Cleaning & Mild Foam)
3. General Disinfectant BKC4 5% Disinfectant (Kills germs/bacteria)
4. Zinc Ricinoleate ZR-LD 3% Odor Neutralizer (Traps urine/pet smells)
5. Preservative (e.g., Phenoxyethanol) 1% Prevents spoilage
6. Citric Acid q.s. pH Adjuster (Target pH 7.0 - 8.0)

Total: 100%

Key Ingredients Explained:

  • Lauryl Glucoside: A very gentle, plant-derived surfactant (from corn and coconut). It provides effective cleaning power and a small amount of foam without the harshness of traditional chemicals like SLS.
  • General Disinfectant BKC4: Contains Benzalkonium Chloride, a widely trusted antimicrobial. It is effective for household disinfection and is safe for surfaces when used at the recommended dilution.
  • Zinc Ricinoleate ZR-LD: Unlike perfumes that just mask smells, this ingredient chemically traps and neutralizes odor molecules (like those found in pet urine), making it highly effective for homes with dogs.

Mixing Instructions:

  1. Mix Lauryl Glucoside into the Water. If the Lauryl Glucoside is too thick, you can warm it slightly (about 50-60°C) to make it liquid before mixing.
  2. Add Zinc Ricinoleate ZR-LD and stir until homogeneous.
  3. Add General Disinfectant BKC4 and the preservative. Stir gently to avoid excessive foaming.
  4. Measure the pH. Use a small amount of Citric Acid (dissolved in a little water) to adjust the pH until it reaches approximately 7.0 - 8.0.

Usage (Dilution):

Since this is a concentrate, it must be diluted before use:

  • General Floor Mopping: Dilute 1 part concentrate to 20 parts water (e.g., 50ml in 1 liter of water).
  • Bathroom or Heavy Odor Areas: Dilute 1 part concentrate to 10 parts water.
  • Spray for Spot Cleaning: Dilute 1 part concentrate to 10 parts water in a spray bottle. Wipe after 5-10 minutes for best disinfection.

Safety Note: While these ingredients are chosen for their safety profile, always keep the concentrate out of reach of children and pets. Once diluted for mopping, it is safe for them to walk on the floor once it has dried.

Follow-up Replies

eve10400
May 08, 2026 23:03
Question:

I would like to request a standard formula for a multi-purpose cleaner with the following requirements:

  • Functions: Disinfecting and deodorizing (specifically targeting pet urine and dog odors).
  • Safety: Must be safe for children and pets.
  • Application: For cleaning floors and bathrooms.
  • Ingredients: Natural ingredients are preferred; however, if chemical alternatives provide better deodorizing performance, I am open to using the more effective option.
  • Product Form: A concentrated liquid intended for dilution before use, with a small amount of foam.

Additionally, I have the following questions:

  1. Between Plantacare 1200 and Plantacare 2000, which one is better compared to the Lauryl Glucoside recommended by the shop?
  2. Based on the formula, the texture seems watery. What should I add to make it thicker?
  3. I already have BKC at 80% concentration. How much should I dilute it for this formula? Please provide a recommendation. Thank you very much.
Answer:

To optimize your multi-purpose cleaner for pet odors and disinfection, here are the detailed recommendations based on your questions:

1. Surfactant Choice: Plantacare 1200 vs. 2000 vs. Lauryl Glucoside

  • Plantacare 1200 is the trade name for Lauryl Glucoside. It has a longer carbon chain (C12-C14), providing superior cleaning and degreasing power, which is essential for removing pet-related organic matter. However, it is more viscous and requires slight warming to mix easily.
  • Plantacare 2000 is the trade name for Decyl Glucoside. It has a shorter chain (C8-C10), making it easier to dissolve and providing more flash foam, but its heavy-duty cleaning performance is slightly lower than Lauryl Glucoside.
  • Recommendation: For a floor and bathroom cleaner targeting pet urine, Lauryl Glucoside (Plantacare 1200) is the better choice for its higher cleaning efficiency.

2. Thickening the Formula

Since Glucoside-based formulas tend to be watery, you can add a thickener to achieve a professional "concentrate" feel:

  • SugarThick™ (PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate): A plant-derived thickener that creates a clear, viscous texture. It is very mild and helps reduce potential irritation from the surfactants.
  • EasyThick™: A versatile liquid thickener that is easy to incorporate into surfactant systems to achieve the desired viscosity. It requires heating the formula to 80°C to dissolve.

3. Using BKC 80%

To use your BKC 80% (Benzalkonium Chloride 80%) effectively in a concentrate intended for 1:20 dilution:

  • To ensure a standard disinfection level (approx. 0.1% active BKC) after diluting 1:20 (1 part concentrate to 19 parts water), your concentrate should contain 2% active BKC.
  • Calculation: To get 2% active from an 80% source, you need to use 2.5% of the BKC 80% in your formula (2.5% x 0.8 = 2.0%).

Updated Concentrated Multi-Purpose Cleaner Formula

Ingredient Percentage Function
1. Water (Deionized/Distilled) 81.0% Solvent
2. Lauryl Glucoside 10.0% Natural Surfactant (Cleaning)
3. BKC 80% 2.5% Disinfectant (Active)
4. Zinc Ricinoleate ZR-LD 3.0% Odor Neutralizer (Pet Urine)
5. SugarThick™ 2.5% Thickener (Adjust as needed)
6. Preservative (e.g., Phenoxyethanol) 1.0% Product Preservation
7. Citric Acid q.s. pH Adjuster (Target pH 7.0-8.0)

Mixing Instructions:

  1. Mix Lauryl Glucoside into the water. If it is thick, warm it to 50-60°C first.
  2. Add SugarThick™ and stir until fully dissolved (slight heat helps).
  3. Add Zinc Ricinoleate ZR-LD and BKC 80%. Stir gently to avoid excessive foam.
  4. Add preservative and adjust the pH to 7.0-8.0 using a Citric Acid solution. This pH range is safe for pets and children once diluted.

Usage (Dilution):

  • General Floor Mopping: Dilute 1 part concentrate to 20 parts water.
  • Bathroom or Heavy Odor Areas: Dilute 1 part concentrate to 10 parts water.

Tags

Multi-Purpose Cleaner Disinfectant Odor Neutralizer Pet Care Concentrated Formulation